The band formed in Benton Harbor, Michigan as the Four Sounds. The original line-up consisted of Gene Harris (September 1, 1933 – January 16, 2000) on piano, Andrew Simpkins (April 29, 1932 – June 2, 1999) on double bass and Bill Dowdy (August 15, 1932 - May 12, 2017) on drums, along with saxophonist Lonnie `The Sound' Walker, who dropped out the following year. The group moved to Washington and then New York, where as the Three Sounds, they cut a record for Riverside Records, before signing an exclusive contract with Blue Note.
Between 1958 and 1962, the group released nine LPs for Blue Note. They toured nationally during this period, building a large following in jazz clubs across the country. Later Three Sounds recordings were also released by Limelight and Verve Records.
The Three Sounds song "Put On Train", from the 1971 Gene Harris album The 3 Sounds was featured as the prominent background sample in the hip-hop group Beastie Boys song "What Comes Around" on their 1989 album Paul's Boutique. It previously stated here that this sample came from the Three Sounds album Live at the It Club, recorded in 1970, however this was not released (on Live at the It Club Vol. 2) until 2000.
If I Were a Bell
The Three Sounds Lyrics
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Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
That's the way I just gotta behave,
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
Ask me how do I feel,
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
And if I were a watch,
I'd start popping my spring,
Oh, and if I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
Ask me how do I feel
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
Well sir, all I can say is
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
Well, I knew my moral would crack
From the wonderful way you looked,
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
Ask me how do I feel
Now that we're fondly caressing,
And if I were a salad,
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
Or if I were a season,
I'd surely be Spring,
Yes, and if I were a bell,
Say, if I were a bell,
If I were a bell
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
The lyrics to The Three Sounds's song "If I Were a Bell" are soulful and playful, and showcase the singer's feelings of excitement and passion. The song revolves around the statement "If I were a bell I'd be ringing", which can be interpreted as the singer's enthusiasm for their newfound love. The lyrics also touch upon the themes of transformation, as the singer imagines themselves as various objects that convey motion, sound and light.
The song's protagonist is overwhelmed with the feeling of intimacy and passion that they share with their significant other. They describe their behavior as if they are a bell ringing, a lamp lighted, or a banner waving. These objects all signify transformation or action, and the lyricist uses them to suggest that they are similarly undergoing a transformation. They furthermore state that if they were a watch, they would start popping their spring, indicating high energy and vigor. Additionally, the lyrics mention the notion of caution giving way to desire, with the singer stating that "I knew my moral would crack / From the wonderful way you looked".
In brief, "If I Were a Bell" is a lively celebration of passion and desire, as the singer imagines various objects and ways in which they would thrive and express themselves. The lyrics are playful and charming, conveying the singer's exuberance and eagerness for love.
Line by Line Meaning
Ask me how do I feel,
If you were curious about how I am feeling,
Now that we're cosy and clinging,
Being close together, I feel a sense of affection and being connected.
Well sir, all I can say is
Honestly and transparently, all I can tell you is
If I were a bell I'd be ringing!
I feel so alive and upbeat, I would be like a bell ringing out in celebration.
From the moment we kissed goodnight,
From the very instant that we shared our affection when we parted ways for the night,
That's the way I just gotta behave,
My emotions and actions are inextricably tied to the experience I had with you.
And if I were a lamp I'd light,
I feel such energy and enthusiasm, I would be like a lamp shining bright for everyone to see.
Or if I were a banner I'd wave!
I would be so overcome with joy, I would be like a banner flapping in the strong winds of my emotions.
Little me with my quiet upbringing,
My personal history and silent character may seem unremarkable to some.
If I were a gate I'd be swinging!
But right now, I feel so overjoyed and alive, I would be like a gate swinging in a light breeze.
And if I were a watch,
If I were a timepiece on your wrist,
I'd start popping my spring,
I feel such excitement and enthusiasm, I would be like a watch about to burst open its spring mechanism.
Oh, and if I were a bell
If I were like a celebratory instrument,
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I would be ringing out, crying out to everyone within earshot about my glee.
From this chemistry lesson I'm learning,
In this powerful and enthralling experience where we are sharing an intimate chemistry,
If I were a bridge I'd be burning!
I feel so caught up in this passion I can't help but to be totally consumed by it.
Well, I knew my moral would crack
I was aware that I had certain convictions that might falter under the force of my new emotions.
From the wonderful way you looked,
But when I gazed upon your beautiful appearance and beaming face,
Boy, if I were a duck I'd quack,
I would be so beside myself with joy, I would start quacking like a duck.
Or if I were a goose I'd be cooked!
I am completely defenseless, like a cooked goose.
Now that we're fondly caressing,
Now that we are sweetly and softly touching,
And if I were a salad,
If I were a dish that required some dressing,
I know I'd be splashing my dressing!
I would be splashing with an abundance of zesty, lively dressing.
Or if I were a season,
If I were to represent one of the distinct seasons of the year,
I'd surely be Spring,
I would be like the season of renewal, Spring.
Yes, and if I were a bell,
Certainly if I were a pealing bell,
Say, if I were a bell,
Just imagine it, if I were a bell,
If I were a bell,
If I was a bell, just like that,
I'd go "Ding dong ding dong ding!".
I would reverberate with the pure pleasure and jubilation of the moment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY C BROCKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind