"Live" in Philly is a record of one those performances,… Read Full Bio ↴by Douglas Payne
"Live" in Philly is a record of one those performances, captured somewhere toward the end of Sims' career. It's warm, comfortable date, played by a warm, cohesive group in a warm and welcoming club atmosphere. This never-before released 50-minute set catches the tenor (and, on "I Don't Stand," soprano) man at his prime, performing standards and three Ellington favorites with regular pianist Benny Aronov, bassist Major Holley and drummer Mickey Roker. It's clear these musicians know each other and the musical ground they cover inside and out. Bassist Holley (who died in 1990) is prominently featured throughout (especially on "Do Nothing" and "Polka Dots") and greatly enhances the proceedings with his own Slam Stewart-like personality. Zoot seems less in charge of things and more like a happy camper along for the ride. But his playing is never less than worthy (especially on Ellington's "Mellotone") and does not betray a man at the end of his road.
This exceptionally well-recorded set (presumably recorded for Muse Records in the early eighties) isn't going to change the world or anybody's mind about anything. But it's a great way to hear a great player playing what he loved, the way he liked to play it and where he loved to play it most.
Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
Zoot Sims Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
Since everyone spread the story
With his own little personal touch
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance
True I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream
Is over my head
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance
True I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
The lyrics to Zoot Sims Quartet's song "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" speak about the importance of not believing rumors and gossip without first hearing the truth from the person involved. The singer acknowledges that stories and rumors can spread easily and tend to take on a life of their own as each person adds their own personal touch to the narrative.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of not taking any action or making any judgments until receiving direct communication from the singer. They advise the listener to pay no attention to what others say and not to let the words of others affect their perception of the relationship. The singer suggests that people who spread rumors are tearing at the fabric of someone's dream, which is beyond their comprehension.
The singer pleads for the listener to consider the authenticity of their romance and not to easily believe the words of others. They admit to being seen with someone new, but they question whether this automatically implies that they are being unfaithful. When they are separated from the listener, the singer assures them that the words in their heart reveal their true feelings for them.
The lyrics acknowledge that other experiences and encounters may momentarily cloud the singer's memory or provide fleeting thrills, but they urge the listener to trust that the truth will always come from the singer. By ending the song with the line, "And you never will," the singer asserts their ability to communicate their feelings honestly and directly.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told someone and someone told you
Information has been passed from person to person until it reached you
But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
The source of the information is not likely to harm or deceive you
Since everyone spread the story with his own little personal touch
Each person added their own embellishments to the story as it was shared
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Don't take any action until you receive direct communication from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Don't give any importance to the rumors or gossip going around
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream is over my head
I don't understand why people try to ruin the hopes and dreams of others
At least consider our romance
Please think about our relationship, our love
If you should take the word of others you've heard, I haven't a chance
If you believe what others say without hearing it from me, our relationship doesn't stand a chance
True I've been seen with someone new
It's true that I have been seen with another person
But does that mean that I'm untrue
But being seen with someone else doesn't mean that I am being unfaithful
When we're apart the words in my heart reveal how I feel about you
When we are not together, the emotions in my heart clearly show my love for you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
A past kiss or romantic encounter may momentarily distract or confuse me
And other arms may hold a thrill
Being in the embrace of another person may provide momentary excitement
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
But I urge you to refrain from taking any action until you hear the truth directly from me
And you never will
And you will never hear anything to cast doubt on our love
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, BOB RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind