Farlow was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1921, with his first introduction to a stringed instrument being the mandolin (tuned like a uke), as a young child. Nearly as famous for his reluctance to perform publicly as for his outstanding abilities, he did not take up the instrument until he was 21, but within a year was playing professionally and in 1948 was with Marjorie Hyams' band. While with the Red Norvo Trio from 1949–1953, Farlow became famous in the jazz world. His huge hands and ability to play rapid yet light lines, which earned him the nickname "Octopus", made him one of the top guitarists of the era. Where other similar players of his day combined rhythmic chords with linear melodies, Farlow preferred placing single notes together in clusters, varying between harmonically enriched tones based on a startling new technique.
After six months with Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five in 1953, Farlow put together his own group, which for a time included pianist Eddie Costa. In 1958, Farlow retired from full-time performing and settled in Sea Bright, New Jersey, returning to a career as a sign painter. He continued to play occasional dates in local clubs, however. In 1962 the Gibson Guitar Corporation, with Farlow's participation, produced the "Tal Farlow" model in their prestigious Artist Model line. The production model has a mandolin-style scroll at the top of the body.
In 1968 while living in Sea Bright, Tal Farlow visited Phil Petillo's Studio Workshop every Saturday up until the early 1980s. Dr. Petillo, with legendary Tal Farlow, built what was known as the Full House Concept First Octave Divider, which was a stool that had a built-in amplifier and a pedal to control it. It provided smooth, rich warmth to the sound of the guitar with volume without distortion while allowing the artist more freedom of movement when performing. At this time, Phillip designed Tal a specialized guitar with a moving pickup that had nylon tracks underneath the pickguard to adjust the pickup in any position between the end of the fingerboard and bridge for jazz performances to suit his own individual needs, and to introduce young players to jazz and its components. They had a good creative working relationship for many years.
Farlow only made one record as a leader during 1960–1975, but emerged a bit more often during 1976–1984, recording for Concord fairly regularly before largely disappearing again. He was profiled in the documentary film, Talmage Farlow, made in 1980/81. The guitarist can be heard on his records for Blue Note (a 10" LP in 1954), Norgran (later Verve, 1954–60), and Prestige (1969), as well as those for Concord.
Farlow died in New York City on July 25, 1998.
Like Someone In Love
Tal Farlow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
Tal Farlow's song "Like Someone In Love" is about falling head-over-heels in love. The song talks about the singer's feelings of infatuation and how they are overwhelmed by their emotions. The first verse describes how the singer finds themself gazing at stars and hearing guitars, which are symbols of romance and love. The second verse talks about how the singer is astounded by the things they do whenever the person they love is around. They seem to move with newfound grace and feel like they are walking on air. The final verse finds the singer looking at the object of their affections and feeling weak and defenseless. They describe themselves as "limp as a glove" and "feeling like someone in love."
The lyrics to "Like Someone In Love" capture the experience of falling in love with its intensity, wonder, and confusion. The singer is helpless in the face of their emotions and finds themselves doing things they never thought they would. The song's melody and Farlow's guitar playing capture the song's sense of longing and awe, making "Like Someone In Love" a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars,
Recently, I've been spending time looking up at the stars
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Listening to guitar music as if I'm in love
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
I surprise myself with the things I do
Mostly whenever you're around me.
This mainly happens when you're with me
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Lately, I feel like I'm walking with wings
Bump into things like someone in love.
I bump into things as if I'm in love
Each time I look at you,
Every time I see you,
I'm limp as a glove,
I become weak as a glove
And feeling like someone in love.
And feel as if I'm in love
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BURKE, JIMMY VAN HEUSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind