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.
More Than You Know
Sonny Rollins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whether you are false or true
Whether you remain or wander,
I'm growing fonder of you
Even though your friends forsake you,
Even though you don't succeed
Wouldn't I be glad to take you,
Give you the break you need
More than you know, more than you know
Girl of my heart, I love you so
Lately I find you're on my mind
More than you know
Whether you're right, whether you're wrong
Girl of my heart, I'll string along
You need me so
Much more than you'll ever know (ever know)
Loving you the way that I do
There's nothing I can do about it
Loving may be all you can give
But baby I can't live without it
Oh, how I'd cry, oh, how I'd cry
If you got tired and said "Good-bye"
More than I'd show
More than you'd ever know
"More Than You Know" is a love song by Sonny Rollins that describes the emotions of a person who is deeply in love with someone, even though the two may not be perfect for each other. The song presents the idea that love is more than just physical attraction and requires commitment, understanding, and loyalty.
The opening lines express the idea that the lover's feelings remain the same whether the other person is near or far, faithful or false, or if they stay or go. The lyrics then suggest that the singer's love would be devoted to their partner in difficult times, even if their friends abandon them or if they fail to succeed. The singer offers to help their lover and give them the break they need in life.
The refrain of the song repeats the line "More than you know" and emphasizes the depth of the singer's feelings. The lyrics suggest that the singer is constantly thinking about their beloved and is willing to remain by their side through thick and thin. The singer acknowledges that their love may not be reciprocated in the same way, but states that they will always be there loving their partner, even if it remains unrequited forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Whether you are here or yonder,
Whether you are near or far away from me
Whether you are false or true
Whether you are honest or deceptive
Whether you remain or wander,
Whether you stay in one place or travel
I'm growing fonder of you
I am falling more deeply in love with you
Even though your friends forsake you,
Even if your friends abandon you
Even though you don't succeed
Even if you do not achieve your goals
Wouldn't I be glad to take you,
I would be happy to support you
Give you the break you need
Help you to get the opportunity you require to thrive
More than you know, more than you know
My love for you is greater than you realize
Girl of my heart, I love you so
I am deeply in love with you, my dear
Lately I find you're on my mind
I have been thinking of you frequently and fondly
Whether you're right, whether you're wrong
Regardless of whether your decisions are correct or not
Girl of my heart, I'll string along
I will support you and stand by your side
You need me so
You rely on me greatly
Much more than you'll ever know (ever know)
You require my support more than you understand
Loving you the way that I do
I love you passionately
There's nothing I can do about it
I cannot control my feelings for you
Loving may be all you can give
You may only be able to offer love in return
But baby I can't live without it
Despite this, I cannot live without your love
Oh, how I'd cry, oh, how I'd cry
I would be devastated if I lost you
If you got tired and said "Good-bye"
If you grew weary of our relationship and ended it
More than I'd show
The depth of my love for you is greater than what I reveal
More than you'd ever know
You do not fully understand the degree of my love for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry James Eastmond, Cynthia De Mari Biggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Postatility
I love Tommy Potter's intro to this beautiful classic.All too often,the bass players are overlooked.
Robert Quay
Sonny was a giant, even back in '54. His solo here is heartfelt, logical and beautifully paced.
postatility
I agree. And this track is just one example of the many,many moods that this music can create,because of the humanity and soul contained within. It is timeless.......
chronwell1
So haunting and beautiful. These 2 were a dynamic duo.
mobbinhard42
1950s jazz is like the soundtrack to a strange, rainy day. idk how to explain it. the saxx sounds great.
Erdman West III
Sonny Rollins, one of the greatest.
Mort Weiss
One of Monks best recorded solos!!!!!
Anand Pandya
Monk is more relaxed and perhaps introspective than in the many recordings of the 1960s.
Mort Weiss
This is when Sonny could and did play the changes - and he did no matter what Monk was laying down. Magnificent!
Gary Kemp
What? 'Sonny could and did play the changes'? Do say more.