The band grew out of a partnership between Nathanson and Fowlkes in 1987, after the two had played with John Lurie's band The Lounge Lizards. Other regular members include vibraphonist Bill Ware, bassist Brad Jones and drummer E.J. Rodriguez; the group has often featured a violinist (Rob Thomas, Jim Nolet or, more recently, Sam Bardfeld). Guitarists Marc Ribot and David Fiuczynski played in earlier formations of the group. The album that is perhaps their masterpiece, the Hal Willner-produced In Love (High Street Records, 1994), features vocal contributions from Deborah Harry, Jeff Buckley, Jimmy Scott, Bob Dorough and Mavis Staples. Harry later became a regular member of the band, appearing on a number of follow-up albums, including Individually Twisted (which includes two duets with Elvis Costello). Recently the Passengers have recorded infrequently as a full ensemble, though the individual bandmembers' recent side projects tend to feature many fellow Passengers, as well as a similarly skewed musical sensibility.
In 2005 Nathanson composed a work commemorating the world's oldest object, a 4.404 billion year old zircon found in Australia. The work was performed by The Jazz Passengers at a "Rock Concert" held in Madison, Wisconsin in April of that year.
Lil' Darlin'
The Jazz Passengers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't need more cash than banks could hold.
Whenever I get the feeling.
.
My sweet l'il darlin' gives me his love.
Don't catch me chasing round at night.i'm not impressed by glamorous sights.
L'il darlin' is obvious pretty.
So many guys you may see.
But my little darlin' only loves me.
I know he only loves me.
Yes, he loves me.
I know.
I know he loves me.
Oh yes, I know my man's in love with me.
Something, something tells me constantly.
Oh I'll never be the object of all men's eyes.
Or win no beauty prize.
It's me, and me alone he can see.
He likes to stay home in the evening.
Most people tell me he's rare.
As long as he loves me, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care.
I mean what I say when I say it...
Don't catch me chasing round at night.i'm not impressed by glamorous sights, no no no.
L'il darlin' is obvious pretty.
So many guys you may see.
But my little darlin' only loves me.
My little darlin' only loves me.
My little darlin' only loves me.
He loves only me.
The lyrics to The Jazz Passengers’ song L'il Darlin' express a simple yet powerful sentiment: true love is worth more than any material possessions or superficial attractions. The singer makes it clear that they don’t care about riches or being the object of everyone’s affection, because they have the love of their “l'il darlin'”. The repetition of this phrase in the chorus serves to reinforce the idea of the exclusivity and intensity of the bond between the singer and their loved one. The image of staying home in the evening with their partner is presented as a desirable alternative to chasing after glamour and attention. The singer asserts that their love is all they need to feel complete.
The lyrics of L'il Darlin' are notable for their simplicity and directness. They communicate a message that is universal and enduring: the transcendent value of true love. The song has a relaxed, laid-back feel, with a smooth jazz groove that supports the lyrics without overshadowing them. It is an example of how jazz can be used to convey a wide range of emotions and ideas, beyond the stereotypes of the genre being solely for sophisticated or elite tastes.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't need no palace paved with gold.
I do not require a luxurious dwelling or material wealth to be content.
Don't need more cash than banks could hold.
I have no desire for excessive wealth beyond what a bank could contain.
Whenever I get the feeling.
Whenever I experience an emotional sensation.
My sweet l'il darlin' gives me his love.
My beloved partner offers me their affection and attention.
Don't catch me chasing round at night.i'm not impressed by glamorous sights.
I have no interest in pursuing excitement or showing off for attention at nightclubs or fancy events.
L'il darlin' is obvious pretty.
My darling partner is distinctly and undeniably handsome or lovely.
So many guys you may see.
There are many men in the world that one may encounter.
But my little darlin' only loves me.
My partner only loves me, and not any other men they may encounter.
I know he only loves me.
I am confident that my partner's love is exclusively reserved for me.
Yes, he loves me.
My partner has strong romantic feelings for me.
Oh yes, I know my man's in love with me.
I am certain that my partner is in love with me.
Something, something tells me constantly.
I have a recurring inner sense or intuition that confirms this belief.
Oh I'll never be the object of all men's eyes.
I will never be the center of attention or attraction for all men.
Or win no beauty prize.
I will not win awards or recognition for my physical appearance.
It's me, and me alone he can see.
My partner only sees and desires me, disregarding the attention of other women.
He likes to stay home in the evening.
My partner prefers to spend quiet nights at home.
Most people tell me he's rare.
Others often remark that my partner is an uncommon and exceptional find.
As long as he loves me, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care.
I am unconcerned with other people's opinions as long as my partner continues to love me.
I mean what I say when I say it...
My words are expressed with intention and sincerity.
L'il darlin' is obvious pretty.
My darling partner is distinctly and undeniably handsome or lovely.
So many guys you may see.
There are many men in the world that one may encounter.
But my little darlin' only loves me.
My partner only loves me, and not any other men they may encounter.
My little darlin' only loves me.
My partner only loves and cherishes me.
He loves only me.
My partner's love is reserved exclusively for me.
Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.