Coleman Hawkins with Miles Davis at the 3 Deuces Club in New York, c. 1947. From the Library of Congress
This song is beautiful. It lends itself to low lights and slow dancing. Many great performers have recorded it, but I have never liked the lyrics much. That’s because the message is murky.
The singer tells how much he/she loves the recipient of the song: so much that he/she would “die for you,” ”tear the stars down from the skies for you,” and even ”move the earth for you.”
But then he/she declares, “If that isn’t love, it will have to do…until the real thing comes along.”
What a let down! How ungrateful can you get? Is there no way possible that love can be proven? It’s annoying.
That’s why this song is being presented here without the words — only the big fat tenor sound of Coleman Hawkins, aka “Hawk,” who was born in Missouri and died in New York City (1904-1969). Make up your own lyrics. — Paul Goldfinger