In his early teens, Kuhn studied with legendary teacher Margaret Chaloff who schooled him in the “Russian Technique”, an invaluable tool for tone production and projection. Chaloff’s son, Serge Chaloff, baritone saxophonist for Woody Herman, hired the 13 year-old pianist to play in his group. Throughout his teens Kuhn continued to play in Boston jazz clubs with, amongst other visiting celebrities, Coleman Hawkins, Chet Baker and Vic Dickenson.
After graduation from Harvard College, Kuhn attended the Lenox School of Music where he recorded with Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry. The faculty included Bill Evans, George Russell, and Gunther Schuller. While at Lenox, Kuhn met trumpeter Kenny Dorham and began a two-year stint, interrupted when Kuhn was asked to join John Coltrane’s newly-formed quartet.
Kuhn next joined Stan Getz’s band, which included bassist Scott LaFaro. After a period with Art Farmer, he formed the first Steve Kuhn Trio, with drummer Pete LaRoca and bassist Steve Swallow. At the end of the 1960s he spent four years living in Europe, where his performance had a significant impact upon local players. Upon returning to the United States, Kuhn began his long-term affiliation with ECM, resulting in a string of important albums including “Trance”, “Ecstasy”, “Non-Fiction” and the collaborations with Sheila Jordan, “Playground” and “Last Year’s Waltz”.
In the mid-80’s, Kuhn co-founded the popular All Star Trio, with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster, and launched a new, and still evolving, edition of his trio with bassist David Finck – drummers for the latter have included Joey Baron (as on the ECM recording “Remembering Tomorrow”), Lewis Nash and Billy Drummond. He continues to tour widely, with a strong following in Europe and, especially, Japan where his albums frequently appear in the jazz charts.
Body and Soul
Steve Kuhn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
The lyrics to Steve Kuhn's 'Body and Soul' express the singer's overwhelming love and longing for someone who they believe is not reciprocating those feelings. The first stanza illustrates the depth of the singer's affection, stating that their heart is "sad and lonely" and that they sigh and long for this person "only." The second stanza contains a plea for the object of their affection to recognize their feelings, with the singer expressing confusion and hurt over why they are being "wronged" and not having their love returned. The final stanza is particularly poignant, with the singer describing their life as a "wreck" and indicating that they are willing to do anything - including surrendering themselves completely - to be with this person.
Overall, the lyrics to 'Body and Soul' showcase the intense emotions and thoughts that can come with unrequited love. The singer is consumed by their feelings and unable to let go, despite the pain it is causing them. The song is a classic example of the jazz standard genre, and has been performed by many notable musicians over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I am feeling unhappy and alone
For you I sigh, for you dear only
I long for you deeply, only for you
Why haven't you seen it
Why have you not noticed my feelings
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely dedicated to you with my entire being
I spend my days in longing
I spend my days feeling a deep desire
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I am confused as to why you are hurting me
I tell you I mean it
I am serious and truthful
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely dedicated to you with my entire being
I can't believe it
I find it hard to accept
It's hard to conceive it
It's difficult to understand
That you'd turn away romance
That you would reject love
Are you pretending
Are you faking it
It looks like the ending
It seems like the relationship is ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
Unless I can have another opportunity to show you my love
My life a wreck you're making
You are causing chaos in my life
You know I'm yours for just the taking
You know I am available to you
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am willing to give everything to you, physically and emotionally
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, John Green, Robert Sour
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind