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Parkers Band Lyrics
Savoy Sides presents a new saxaphone sensation;
It's Parker's band with a smooth style of syncopation.
Kansas City born and growin', you won't believe what the boys are blowin'.
You got to come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's band.
You'll be ridin' by bareback on your armadillo;
You'll be groovin' high or relaxin' at Camarillo.
Suddenly the music hits you; it's a bird in flight that just can't quit you.
You got to come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's band.
We will spend a dizzy weekend smacked into a trance.
Me and you will listen to a little bit of what made the preacher dance.
Bring your horn along and you can add to the pure confection;
And if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section.
Either way you're bound to function; Fifty-Second Street's the junction.
You got to come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's,
Clap your hands and take a piece of Mister Parker's,
Come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's band.
It's Parker's band with a smooth style of syncopation.
Kansas City born and growin', you won't believe what the boys are blowin'.
You'll be groovin' high or relaxin' at Camarillo.
Suddenly the music hits you; it's a bird in flight that just can't quit you.
Me and you will listen to a little bit of what made the preacher dance.
And if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section.
Either way you're bound to function; Fifty-Second Street's the junction.
Clap your hands and take a piece of Mister Parker's,
Come on, man, and take a piece of Mister Parker's band.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
About Charlie Parker's music. He once recorded for Savoy Records. Smacked into a trance relates to using heroin.
I think the reference to 'Dizzy' is a dig at Dizzy Gillespie, who I believe once called Parker's music "chinese music" - he didn't like it. Using his nickname to describe a drug trance is kind of a slap (I dont' think Diz did drugs).
Two other references to Parker: "Relaxin' at Camarillo". When Parker was in California, he spent six months in Camarillo State Mental Hospital. He later recorded a piece with that name. "Fifty-Second Street's the junction": Parker often played at clubs on that street, in the forties a mecca for jazz musicians.
Two other references to Parker: "Relaxin' at Camarillo". When Parker was in California, he spent six months in Camarillo State Mental Hospital. He later recorded a piece with that name. "Fifty-Second Street's the junction": Parker often played at clubs on that street, in the forties a mecca for jazz musicians.
@rainwalk It was Cab Calloway who referred to Bebop as Chinese music
@rainwalk It was Cab Calloway who referred to Bebop as Chinese music
@rainwalk It was Cab Calloway who referred to Bebop as Chinese music "Grovvin High" also refers to a tune that Diz and Bird did under Diz' leadership. ....whoever came up with "You'll be Ridin by bareback on your armadillo" is pure inspired genius
@rainwalk It was Cab Calloway who referred to Bebop as Chinese music "Grovvin High" also refers to a tune that Diz and Bird did under Diz' leadership. ....whoever came up with "You'll be Ridin by bareback on your armadillo" is pure inspired genius
@rainwalk Not a dig against Diz! They played together a LOT and are really among the progenitors of bebop…
@rainwalk Not a dig against Diz! They played together a LOT and are really among the progenitors of bebop…
I've usually heard the "Chinese music" comment attributed to Louis Armstrong. It certainly wouldn't have been Dizzy, who (as others noted) frequently played with Parker until he got tired of dealing with the consequences of Parker's addiction.
I've usually heard the "Chinese music" comment attributed to Louis Armstrong. It certainly wouldn't have been Dizzy, who (as others noted) frequently played with Parker until he got tired of dealing with the consequences of Parker's addiction.
The lyric is full of musical meaning, some already cited.
We agree it's about Charly Parker ("Bird"), and that he recorded several "sides" on the Savoy label. Parker's nickname, "Bird", was due to his high-flying rapid soloin ability.
"Relaxin' at Camarillo" is a Parker composition, perhaps inspired by his six month recuperation at the Camarillo asylum due to heroin addiction (hence the brilliant metaphor, "smacked into a trance").
"bird in flight"... obvious reference to Bird.
"Bring your horn along and you can add to the pure confection; And if you can't fly you'll have to move in with the rhythm section."
That's an invitation to sit in with the band. However, if your solo chops "can't fly" like Bird, then you'll just have to play with the rhythm section.
"Either way you're bound to function; Fifty-Second Street's the junction."
"Bird on 52nd St." was a 1957 Parker album, and "52nd St Theme" is the title track.
I am fortunate to live in Nashville, TN., home of a great SD tribute band, "12 Against Nature."
@rokhead Any idea what “riding by bareback on your armadillo” refers to??
@rokhead Any idea what “riding by bareback on your armadillo” refers to??
I'm not rokhead, but I'm not aware of any Parker connection with armadillos, and I'm guessing that they loved their line about Camarillo and couldn't find anything else to rhyme with it!
I'm not rokhead, but I'm not aware of any Parker connection with armadillos, and I'm guessing that they loved their line about Camarillo and couldn't find anything else to rhyme with it!