Body & Soul
Stan Getz Lyrics

Don't you know, he was the king of saxophones
Indeed, he was the best at playing the saxophone.

Talkin' 'bout the guy that made it sound so good
Referring to the musician who played the saxophone with great skill.

Some people knew him by the Bean
The artist was also known by the nickname 'Bean'.

But Hawkins was his name
However, the saxophonist's real name was Coleman Hawkins.

He sure could swing and play pretty too
The musician was skilled in playing both upbeat and mellow music.

Sounds good to me, should sound good to you
The music is pleasing to the ear.

I love to hear him playing Body and Soul
The song Body and Soul played by this musician is particularly enjoyable.

When I first heard it on the record
The first time the music was heard was from a recording.

I just stopped, right there,
The music was so good that the listener was compelled to stop.

Sounded like a band of angels in the sky,
The music was exquisite and divine.

And I have never ever heard a sweeter tone
The sound of the saxophone was the sweetest ever heard.

In fact I pay no 'ttention to the saxophone
The listener was not particularly interested in the saxophone before this performance.

Til Coleman Hawkins came along and spoke to everyone,
The saxophonist gave a performance that captured everyone's attention.

Saying better listen won't you hear me,
The musician demanded that the audience pay attention to the performance.

Sometimes it's hot
The music can be lively.

Then again it's blue
The music can also be melancholic.

My soul just seems to wander,
The music has a transcendental quality.

Pleasing each and everyone,
The music is enjoyed by all.

It's what I've long been craving for
The listener has been seeking music like this for a long time.

The doors have not been always open,
Opportunities have not always been available.

But I am trying to please you.
The musician strives to satisfy the audience.

Please don't try to stop me.
The musician wants to continue performing.

Hope you like it folks
The musician hopes that the listeners are enjoying the performance.

And then he started cookin',
The musician began to play exceptionally well.

Every time he played
The performances were consistently great.

Some melodic melody fast or slow
The music consisted of either fast or slow melodies.

You could tell that it was Hawkins,
The performances were unmistakably that of Coleman Hawkins.

No other one ever has
No other musician has been able to match his skills.

Quite captured his tone
None has been able to replicate his unique sound.

Just he alone,
Only he has the talent.

Has the sound that penetrates
His music has a deep and powerful effect.

It will sure go right through you
His music will move you deeply.

And every chorus gives you just another thrill
Each section of the music provides excitement.

Then along came Eddie Jefferson
Another musician named Eddie Jefferson entered the scene.

He sang the melody like Hawkins played it
He sang the same tune as Hawkins played it.

He sang it true
He sang it sincerely.

He sang it blue
He sang it with a melancholic tone.

Made words for it too
He also added lyrics to the song.

All his fans in New York loved him
Eddie Jefferson had many devoted fans in New York.

There's no one above him
He was considered the best among his contemporaries.

Here in the USA
Especially in the United States.

I've heard 'em say ol' Eddie was the man
Many people believed Eddie Jefferson was the best.

Oh how he could sing
Eddie Jefferson was an excellent singer.

Man did he swing
He had a great rhythm.

Sang on the wing, did his own thing
He performed freely and creatively.

Yes he did
He truly did.

Throughout the country,
All across the country.

Music lovers are still wiggin' on Eddie's singin'
People still enjoy Eddie Jefferson's music even today.

All around the world, he is known
Eddie Jefferson is renowned internationally.

Rhythm was his special joy,
He had a particular talent for creating rhythms.

He swung it like a horn
He used his voice in a way that was comparable to a saxophone.

He must have been born to be a singer
It seems like Eddie Jefferson was born to be a musician.

'Cause his lyrics were so sincere and true
His lyrics had a deep and honest quality.

Funny sad or blue
His music could be light-hearted, melancholic, or sad.

And we've got to remind you
The musicians want to emphasize something important.

Many years it took him
It took Eddie Jefferson many years to become successful.

Singing every day to achieve his first claim to fame
He was highly dedicated and committed to his music.

He was twenty years ahead of his time
He was very innovative and creative.

And he knew it
He was aware of his own talent.

But he kept right on-a singing
He continued to pursue his passion despite the challenges.

He went all around the world making rhythm
He traveled all over the world performing his music.

'Cause music sure was in him and he knew it was
He was born to be a musician.

Sang with Moody and Richie Cole
He collaborated with other musicians like Moody and Richie Cole.

He could sing it just like Bird
He could sing in the same style as saxophonist Charlie Parker.

But his forte was the words he wrote to
His strength was in the lyrics he wrote for the music.

Music that he sang
He sang the music that he himself composed.

So he sang, and he sang
He sang consistently, without giving up.

And he sang his words so clever
He wrote lyrics that were intelligent and witty.

And I know they'll silence him never
His music will never be forgotten.

'Cause he cut this masterpiece
He created a great work of art.

And now we're trying to sing it for you
The musicians aim to perform Eddie Jefferson's music for the audience.

Hope the Bean and Eddie both would still approve
The musicians hope that both Coleman Hawkins and Eddie Jefferson would still appreciate their performance.

There we go
Here we are.

We didn't mean to reminisce
The musicians did not intend to recall memories of the past.

You can surely bet
It is certain that...

That we won't forget
We will definitely remember.

'Cause we hear them yet
Their music can still be heard today.

Goodbye
Farewell.