Woods' first alto was left to him by an uncle, and he started playing seriously when he was 12. He gigged and studied locally until 1948, when he moved to New York. Woods studied with Lennie Tristano, at the Manhattan School of Music, and at Juilliard, where he majored in clarinet. He worked with Charlie Barnet (1954), Jimmy Raney (1955), George Wallington, the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Buddy Rich (1958-1959), Quincy Jones (1959-1961), and Benny Goodman (for BG's famous 1962 tour of the Soviet Union), but has mostly headed his own groups since 1955, including co-leadership of a combo with fellow altoist Gene Quill in the '50s logically known as "Phil & Quill." Woods, who married the late Charlie Parker's former wife Chan in the 1950s (and became the stepfather to singer Kim Parker), was sometimes thought of as "the new Bird" due to his brilliance in bop settings, but he never really sounded like a copy of Parker.
Woods popped up in a variety of settings in the 1960s -- on Benny Carter's classic Further Definitions record, touring Europe with the short-lived Thelonious Monk Nonet, and appearing on studio dates like the soundtracks to The Hustler and Blow Up. Always interested in jazz education (although he believes that there is no better way to learn jazz than to gig and travel constantly), Woods taught at an arts camp in Pennsylvania in the summers of 1964-1967. Discouraged with the jazz scene in the U.S., he moved to France in 1968. For the next few years, Woods led a very advanced group, the European Rhythm Machine, which leaned toward the avant-garde and included pianist George Gruntz. Their recordings still sound fresh and exciting today, although this venture would only be a detour in Woods' bebop life. In 1972, he returned to the U.S. and tried unsuccessfully to lead an electronic group that featured keyboardist Pete Robinson.
In 1973, Woods formed a quintet with pianist Mike Melillo, bassist Steve Gilmore, drummer Bill Goodwin, and guitarist Harry Leahey that had much greater success. Their recording Live at the Showboat officially launched the band, which today, after a few personnel changes, still tours the world. After Leahey left in 1978, it was known as the Phil Woods Quartet until trumpeter Tom Harrell (1983-1989) joined; his spot has since been assumed by trombonist Hal Crook (1989-1992) and trumpeter Brian Lynch. Pianist Melillo went out on his own in 1980, and his successors have been Hal Galper (1980-1990), Jim McNeely (1990-1995), and Bill Charlap; Gilmore and Goodwin have been with Woods since the group's start. Not just a bebop repertory band, Woods' ensembles have developed their own repertoire, taken plenty of chances, and stretched themselves while sticking to his straight-ahead path.
Like Someone in Love
The Phil Woods Quartet Lyrics
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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,
These lyrics from The Phil Woods Quartet's "Like Someone in Love" convey a deep sense of infatuation and enchantment. The singer starts by describing how they have been spending their time recently, feeling captivated by the beauty of the night sky and the sweet melodies of guitars, all of which evoke the feeling of being in love. This sets the tone for a dreamy and romantic atmosphere, where the singer is fully immersed in their emotions and surroundings.
The lyrics go on to express a sense of wonder and disbelief at the singer's own actions when they are in the presence of their beloved. The mention of being astounded by the things they do highlights the transformative power of love, where it can make someone behave in ways that feel unfamiliar yet deeply satisfying. This sense of bewilderment is further emphasized by the line "Mostly whenever you're around me," suggesting that the presence of the object of their affection has a profound impact on their state of mind.
The imagery of walking as though having wings and bumping into things like someone in love paints a picture of someone who is literally floating on air, lost in a haze of love and adoration. It conveys a sense of being in a state of blissful distraction, where even mundane actions take on a magical quality in the presence of love. The singer's physical movements mirror the emotional highs they experience when in the company of their loved one, further illustrating the all-encompassing nature of their feelings.
The final lines of the lyrics bring the focus back to the object of the singer's affection, describing how they feel when they look at them. The comparison to being limp as a glove suggests a sense of vulnerability and surrender, as if the singer's defenses melt away in the presence of their beloved. The repeated refrain of feeling like someone in love reinforces the idea that love has the power to transform and overwhelm, leaving the singer in a state of euphoria and longing. Overall, these lyrics capture the intoxicating and immersive experience of being in love, where every moment is infused with a heightened sense of wonder and emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars
Recently, I catch myself staring at the stars in wonder
Hearing guitars like someone in love
The sound of guitars fills me with the same emotions as being in love
Sometimes the things I do astound me
Occasionally, my actions surprise even myself
Mostly whenever you're around me
This usually happens when you're by my side
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings
Recently, I feel like I could fly as I walk
Bump into things like someone in love
I am so lost in my feelings that I accidentally bump into objects
Each time I look at you
Every time I gaze upon you
I'm limp as a glove
I become weak and malleable in your presence
And feeling like someone in love
Experiencing the intense emotions of love
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind