She… Read Full Bio ↴Sylvia Syms (December 2, 1917 - May 10, 1992) was a jazz singer.
She was born Sylvia Blagman in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, she had polio. As a teenager, she went to jazz-oriented nightclubs on New York's 52nd Street, and received informal training from Billie Holiday. In 1941 she made her debut at a club called Billy's Stable.
In 1948, performing at the Cinderella Club in Greenwich Village, she was seen by Mae West, who gave her a part in a show she was doing. It was no particular secret that West surrounded herself with portly women to make herself appear slimmer, and Sylvia's casting was no exception. Among others who observed her in night clubs was Frank Sinatra who considered her the "world's greatest saloon singer." Sinatra subsequently conducted her 1982 album Syms by Sinatra. Syms was keenly aware that her voice was not a great instrument, and that her forte was the interpretation of lyrics.
She was signed to a record company by Decca Records, having her major success with a recording of "I Could Have Danced All Night" in 1956.
She died on stage at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City from a heart attack, aged 74.
IMAGINATION
Sylvia Syms Lyrics
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Can you tell me what you see
There's a thousand voices whispering
Songs and you're the melody
So I imagine my heart with you
See what imagination can do
It's not hard to conceive
Many, many days our shadows passed
Seeing visions of a new bright horizon
Set the morning light
And that morning light is you
So I imagine my heart with you
See what imagination can do
It's not hard to conceive
love ecstasy imagining you, imagining me
The beauty we both can see
You're the dream I prayed would come along
To make my fantasy
Day and night you live inside my heart
You're the flame of love to me
The opening line of Sylvia Syms's "Imagination" sets the tone for a song that explores the power of the mind and heart to conjure up images of love and desire. The magic mirror represents the deep introspection that is needed to understand what one truly wants from a romantic relationship. When the singer says, "Can you tell me what you see?" she is asking herself if the love she has been imagining is real or just a figment of her imagination.
The singer goes on to describe the multiple voices that are whispering love songs, but it is the melody that stands out as the one that catches her attention. Similarly, when one is in love, it is easy to get lost in the noise of the world and the many possible romantic scenarios that one imagines. However, the melody or the essence of what one truly wants is what ultimately rises to the top.
The chorus of the song speaks to the transformative power of love and imagination. The singer imagines her heart with the object of her desire and the beauty that they could create together. Syms suggests that through imagination, it is possible to transcend the mundane and create something truly extraordinary. Ultimately, "Imagination" is a song about the possibilities of love and the power of the mind to turn those possibilities into realities.
Line by Line Meaning
Magic mirror come and search my heart
Asking for introspection and self-reflection to find what I'm feeling deep down inside.
Can you tell me what you see
Questioning the Magic Mirror's ability to translate my emotions into a picture or result.
There's a thousand voices whispering
Inner thoughts and feelings are overwhelming and competing to be heard.
Songs and you're the melody
Amongst all the chaos, you are the one constant presence that keeps me grounded and serene.
So I imagine my heart with you
Visualizing and dreaming about how life would be better with you.
See what imagination can do
Acknowledging the power of imagination to create and bring about positive change.
It's not hard to conceive
Belief in the possibility of love to bring joy and happiness.
Love ecstasy imagining you with me
The idea of being with you brings intense love and euphoria.
Many, many days our shadows passed
Passing days spent in anticipation and hope for a better tomorrow with you.
Seeing visions of a new bright horizon
Visualizing a better future together.
Set the morning light
The dawn of a new day brings hope and new beginnings.
And that morning light is you
You signify the hope and light for a better future and life.
It's not hard to conceive
Belief in the possibility of love to bring joy and happiness.
love ecstasy imagining you, imagining me
The beautiful life we can have together if we imagine and believe in the possibility of love.
The beauty we both can see
The shared vision of a beautiful life together for both of us.
You're the dream I prayed would come along
You're the perfect partner that I've been searching and longing for all my life.
To make my fantasy
Bringing you into my life would make my dreams and fantasies come true.
Day and night you live inside my heart
You're always in my thoughts and heart, day and night.
You're the flame of love to me
Your love ignites and brings warmth to my life and being.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANKA WOLBERT, RONNIE MOERINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind