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.
Sweet and Lovely
The Three Sounds Lyrics
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Sweet and lovely heaven must have sent her my way
Skies above me never were as blue as her eyes
And she loves me, who would want a sweeter surprise
When she nestles in my arms so tenderly
There's a thrill that words cannot express
In my heart a song of love is taunting me, melody, haunting me
And she loves me, there is nothing more I can say
Sweet and lovely sweeter than the roses in May
Sweet and lovely heaven must have sent her my way
Skies above me never were as blue as her eyes
And she loves me, who would want a sweeter surprise
When she nestles in my arms so tenderly
There's a thrill that words cannot express
In my heart a song of love is taunting me, melody, haunting me
Sweet and lovely sweeter than the roses in May
And she loves me, there is nothing more I can say
The Three Sounds' "Sweet and Lovely" is a classic love ballad that captures the feeling of falling in love with someone who is truly special. The lyrics are simple yet expressive, conveying a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty and sweetness of the singer's beloved. The song opens with the line, "Sweet and lovely sweeter than the roses in May", which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is declaring the object of his affection to be the epitome of sweetness and beauty, and he marvels at the fact that she has come into his life.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses his joy and gratitude for having found such a wonderful partner. He notes that the skies have never been as blue as her eyes and that he feels a deep sense of love and connection when she is in his arms. He sings, "In my heart a song of love is taunting me, melody, haunting me", suggesting that his feelings for her are so intense that they are almost overwhelming.
Ultimately, the song is a celebration of love and the wonder it can bring into our lives. It is a tribute to the power of romance and the way that it can brighten even the darkest of days. The Three Sounds' delivery is understated and elegant, highlighting the song's emotional lyrics without ever becoming overly sentimental.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet and lovely sweeter than the roses in May
My love is incomparable and one of a kind. It is much sweeter and lovelier than the roses in May.
Sweet and lovely heaven must have sent her my way
I believe that my love was meant to be, and it must have been a gift from heaven.
Skies above me never were as blue as her eyes
When I look into her eyes, I see the most beautiful and clear blue skies that I have ever seen.
And she loves me, who would want a sweeter surprise
Knowing that she loves me is the greatest and sweetest surprise that I could ever imagine.
When she nestles in my arms so tenderly
When she holds me close, it is a tender and intimate moment that I treasure.
There's a thrill that words cannot express
The feeling that overcomes me when she is near is indescribable and cannot be put into words.
In my heart a song of love is taunting me, melody, haunting me
My heart sings a song of love that is both captivating and haunting. It is a melody that stays with me always.
And she loves me, there is nothing more I can say
Simply put, the fact that she loves me is enough. I need not say anything more.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, HARRY TOBIAS MUSIC COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES N. DANIELS, GUS ARNHEIM, HARRY TOBIAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind