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.
You Stepped Out Of A Dream
Tal Farlow Lyrics
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You are too wonderful to be what you seem!
Could there be eyes like yours,
Could there be lips like yours
Could there be smiles like yours,
Honest and truly?
You stepped out of a cloud
I want to take you away, away from the crowd
Alone and apart out of a dream,
Safe in my heart
You stepped out of a dream
You are too wonderful to be what you seem!
Could there be eyes like yours,
Could there be lips like yours
Could there be smiles like yours,
Honest and truly?
You stepped out of a cloud
I want to take you away, away from the crowd
And have you all to myself,
Alone and apart out of a dream,
Safe in my heart
The lyrics of "You Stepped Out Of A Dream" by Tal Farlow are a pure expression of love and admiration for a special someone. The song starts with the singer stating that the person who just stepped out of a dream is too wonderful to be what they seem. The singer is amazed at the sight of this person and cannot believe that they exist in real life. The repetition of the same question twice in the verse, "Could there be eyes like yours, could there be lips like yours, could there be smiles like yours, honest and truly?" highlights the singer's wonder and the impossibility of their discovery.
The chorus shows the emotions and feelings of the singer. They want to take the person away from the crowd and have them all to themselves. The singer is struck by the beauty of the person and wants to keep them safe in their heart. The phrase "Alone and apart out of a dream, safe in my heart" suggests that the singer has found someone who is purely meant for them and they want to protect them from the world.
Overall, "You Stepped Out Of A Dream" is a beautiful love song that expresses adoration for a special person who has just come into the singer's life. It is a song about the beauty of love and the admiration that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
You stepped out of a dream
You entered my life unexpectedly and it feels like a dream come true
You are too wonderful to be what you seem!
You are even more amazing than I could have imagined
Could there be eyes like yours,
I can't believe how gorgeous your eyes are
Could there be lips like yours
Your lips are so perfect, I can't help but be drawn to them
Could there be smiles like yours,
Your smile is so genuine and beautiful, it makes my heart skip a beat
Honest and truly?
Are you really this amazing and sincere?
You stepped out of a cloud
It feels like you came from another world, you are just that stunning
I want to take you away, away from the crowd
I want to escape with you and be in our own little world
And have you all to myself,
I want to be with you and only you
Alone and apart out of a dream,
Just the two of us together in a world that feels unreal
Safe in my heart
I want to keep you close to me and protect you always
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gus Kahn, Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind