Rollins was born in New York City to parents from the United States Virgin Islands. The youngest of three siblings, he grew up in central Harlem and on Sugar Hill, receiving his first alto saxophone at the age of seven or eight. He attended Edward W. Stitt Junior High School and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem. Rollins started as a pianist, changed to alto saxophone, and finally switched to tenor in 1946. During his high school years, he played in a band with other future jazz legends Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, and Art Taylor.
As a saxophonist he had initially been attracted to the jump and R&B sounds of performers like Louis Jordan, but soon became drawn into the mainstream tenor saxophone tradition. The German critic Joachim Berendt described this tradition as sitting between the two poles of the strong sonority of Coleman Hawkins and the light flexible phrasing of Lester Young, which did so much to inspire the fleet improvisation of bebop in the 1950s. Other tenor saxophone influences include Ben Webster and Don Byas. By his mid-teens, Rollins became heavily influenced by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. During his high school years, he was mentored by the pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, often rehearsing at Monk's apartment.
Rollins has played, at various times, a Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and a Buescher Aristocrat. During the 1970s he recorded on soprano saxophone for the album Easy Living. His preferred mouthpieces are made by Otto Link and Berg Larsen. He uses Frederick Hemke medium reeds.
Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe
Sonny Rollins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He got a smile that make the lilac wanna grow
He got a way that make the angels heave a sigh
When they know little Joe's passing by
Sometime the cabin gloomy and the table bare
Soon he kiss me and its Christmas everywhere
Trouble fly away and life is easy go
Does he love me good? that's all I has to know
(repeat above)
Little Joe, little Joe, little Joe
The song "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe" by Sonny Rollins is a romantic tune that tells about the good fortune and joy brought by Joe, who is associated with the emotion of happiness. The first line of the song suggests that it is easy to find happiness if you have Joe in your life. In fact, Joe's presence is so enchanting that it makes the lilac bloom and the angels sigh. The use of nature and spiritual references in the lyrics supports the idea that Joe is not just an ordinary person, but rather an embodiment of happiness that transcends the physical world.
Furthermore, the second stanza talks about the transformative power of Joe's love. He can turn a gloomy cabin with a bare table into a place where it feels like Christmas, and all troubles disappear. The last line suggests that knowing Joe loves them is all that is needed for the singer to feel happy. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that Joe is the key to happiness and that his name is synonymous with the emotion.
In summary, the song "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe" illustrates the power of love to bring happiness and transform a person's life. Joe is portrayed as an extraordinary person who has the ability to make everything around him happy and joyful.
Line by Line Meaning
It seem like happiness is just a thing called Joe
Joe brings so much joy and happiness that it seems like happiness is just a tangible object that he possesses.
He got a smile that make the lilac wanna grow
Joe has a captivating smile that has the power to inspire and bring growth to even the most unlikely things.
He got a way that make the angels heave a sigh
Joe possesses a charm and charisma that is so remarkable that even celestial beings are moved to express their admiration.
When they know little Joe's passing by
Just the mere presence of Joe has the power to elicit such a response from angels because of the profound impact he has on everyone in his vicinity.
Sometime the cabin gloomy and the table bare
Even in the midst of difficult and trying times, Joe has the ability to lift spirits and make those around him forget their troubles.
Soon he kiss me and its Christmas everywhere
Joe's kiss is so warm and full of love that it makes every day feel like Christmas and brings that special holiday spirit to every moment, regardless of the time of year.
Trouble fly away and life is easy go
Joe has the exceptional ability to alleviate any worries or problems that one may have, making life feel effortless and carefree.
Does he love me good? that's all I has to know
Knowing that Joe loves her so sincerely is all that matters to the singer, as it brings her immense happiness and contentment.
Seem like happiness is just a thing called Joe
The singer repeats the opening line to reinforce the idea that Joe truly embodies happiness in every aspect of his being and presence.
Little Joe, little Joe, little Joe
The singer repeats Joe's name as a way of cherishing him and recognizing his immense value and significance in her life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samuelgates5935
Drop dead gorgeous 😎😎😎
@michaelchapman6466
Heavenly Music, Lyrics & Vocal Interpretation & Jazz Coloring .........
@TheJazsinger
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!
@francescosilvestri5
It seems it has been written for you, Abbey
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💜💥🥂