Bye-Ya
Thelonious Monk Lyrics


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Georgia, Georgia
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind
Georgia on my mind

Georgia, oh, Georgia
A song of you
Comes as sweet and clear
As moonlight through the pines

Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile so tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you

Georgia, oh, Georgia
No peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

Georgia, oh, Georgia
No peace I find
Just an old, sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind





Georgia on my mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Thelonious Monk’s song “Bye-Ya” are actually not present in this song, but the lyrics to “Georgia on My Mind” by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell are. Monk’s version of the song is an instrumental jazz rendition of the classic tune. However, it is interesting to consider why Monk may have chosen to cover “Georgia on My Mind” in his unique style.


The original lyrics of “Georgia on My Mind” were written by Gorrell as a homage to his home state of Georgia. The song is essentially a love letter to Georgia, a place that holds a special meaning to the writer. The lyrics describe the beauty of the state, the memories associated with it, and the longing to return there. The song is a testament to the power of place and how it can shape our sense of self and longing. By choosing to cover this song, Monk may have been paying tribute to Gorrell, or he may have been drawn to the idea of creating a jazz interpretation of a classic tune that captures a sense of place and meaning. In his unique style, he creates a soundscape that complements the soulful melody of the song and adds layers of complexity and depth to it.


Line by Line Meaning

Georgia, Georgia
The state of Georgia, USA


The whole day through
All day long


Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind
A nostalgic feeling that lingers in the mind like a sweet melody


Georgia on my mind
Thinking about Georgia


Georgia, oh, Georgia
Repeated emphasis on the state of Georgia


A song of you
A heartfelt tribute to Georgia


Comes as sweet and clear
The image of Georgia is clearly and vividly depicted


As moonlight through the pines
As beautiful and ethereal as moonlight shining through the trees


Other arms reach out to me
People try to draw my attention to other things


Other eyes smile so tenderly
Others try to make me forget about Georgia with their kind words and looks


Still in peaceful dreams I see
Even in my dreams, Georgia remains peaceful and calming


The road leads back to you
No matter where I go, my heart always leads me back to Georgia


No peace I find
I am restless and uneasy without Georgia


Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind
The comforting melody of the song keeps Georgia on my mind


Georgia on my mind
Despite everything, Georgia is always on my mind


Georgia, oh, Georgia
The song concludes with emphasis on Georgia, as if to say goodbye




Writer(s): Thelonious Monk, Monk Thelonious

Contributed by Riley I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

jazzluvr4u

Been listening to this tune for years since my days in college in the mid 90's. Still can't get over the complexity and beauty of how it's performed! Love it! Jazz to the nth degree!

Postatility

Monk had the rare ability to write tunes that were both serious and playful at the same time.Genius!

Taft Chatham

One of Charlie Rouse's finer solos. He achieves a tone that perfectly complements Monk's sound, and he's had time to work out his approach to this particular song. Great.

John Sibley

How has this one escaped me? I was checking e-mail while having Sirius Jazz Traditions on when I recognized Charlie Rouse's playing within the first 10 seconds. What a Gem! Small wonder that an astronomer named asteroids after Thelonius Monk & Charlie Rouse. Rouse had the ultimate sound. May God Bless his and Monk's families. I wish them well.

Francisco Villa-Richardson

I get the utmost vibes from this track.

AkimboCorndogs

The way the piano solo opens, one of the coolest riffs ever.

David Perry

Pure Magic! Thelonious Monk and Charlie Rouse!

jasonpfinch

Actually my favourite track on this utterly splendiforous album.

Eric Wright

What a good feeling this songs provides and it is so very timeless!

"That's Right Molly Bop Till You Drop!"

postatility

As Charlie Rouse told me,Monk's music is "Very simple and correct" And we're all the richer for it!!

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