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.
The Music That Makes Me Dance
Steve Kuhn Lyrics
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Till fiddle and oboe start weeping, and wailing
That's my failing
He may be all wrong for me
But his is the only song for me
I know he's around when the sky and the ground start in ringing
I know he is near
His words, his words alone
Are the words that can start my heart singing
'Cause his is the only music that makes me dance
He'll sleep and he'll rise
In the light of two eyes that adore him
And bore him it might
But he won't leave my sight for a glance
In every way, every day
I need less of myself and more him, more him
'Cause his is the only music that makes me dance
In every way, every day
I need less of myself and more him, more him
'Cause his is the only music that makes me dance
His is the only music that makes me dance
The lyrics of Steve Kuhn's song "The Music That Makes Me Dance" speaks of a deep emotional connection between the singer and a romantic interest. The singer is aware that the person they are in love with may not be the perfect match for them, but the music that the person creates simply moves them. The lyrics talk about how the person knows when their love interest is around because everything seems to ring and thunder as if to announce their arrival.
The lyrics continue to portray how the person's words start the singer's heart singing because it is the only music that makes them dance. The singer cannot help but be drawn towards this person and longs to be near them in every way, every day. Moreover, the lyrics pinpoints how the singer needs less of themselves and more of the person they are in love with. Ultimately, the song conveys how music that speaks to the soul can make the singer dance and bring them closer to the person they are in love with.
Line by Line Meaning
To me, to me love is no go
I cannot love someone unless there is music to accompany it
Till fiddle and oboe start weeping, and wailing
I need the mournful sound of instruments to feel love in my heart
That's my failing
I recognize that this is a problem that I have
He may be all wrong for me
I acknowledge that he may not be the right person for me
But his is the only song for me
Despite that fact, his music is the only one that resonates with me
I know he's around when the sky and the ground start in ringing
I can sense when he is close by because everything around me seems to vibrate
I know he is near
I have a strong intuition that he is close by
By the thunder I hear in advance
I can hear the sound of thunder approaching, signaling his arrival
His words, his words alone
Only his words can evoke strong emotions in me
Are the words that can start my heart singing
His words have the power to make me feel happy and alive
'Cause his is the only music that makes me dance
His music is the only thing that can make me dance
He'll sleep and he'll rise
He will go through all the usual motions of life
In the light of two eyes that adore him
He is loved by someone with all their heart
And bore him it might
Even if that love becomes boring or routine
But he won't leave my sight for a glance
He will never leave me for anything else, no matter how tempting
In every way, every day
In all aspects of my life, every single day
I need less of myself and more him, more him
I need to focus less on myself and more on him
'Cause his is the only music that makes me dance
His music is the only thing that can truly move me
His is the only music that makes me dance
His music is the only thing that can make me dance
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Merrill, Jule Styne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind