"All I did was wonder how your arms would be and it happened to me"
"It Could Happen to You" by Chet Baker
Album: It Could Happen to You (1987)
This Time It All Started With...
the process of finding a Jazz standard to audition with for my Wits Music audition, back in 2016.
Enter the James Dean of the Jazz world: Chet Baker.
Chet Baker, also known as "the prince of cool" because he was responsible for major innovations within the cool jazz sub-genre, wasn't only a vocalist but a trumpeter as well.
Most of you probably know him from his classic tune, "My Funny Valentine". But to me, this song will forever hold a special place in my heart (along with "Nature Boy" by Kurt Elling - the second song I sang in my audition).
The story of the song goes by quickly, however, it is repeated after a short vocal solo. This was the first ever solo I had to learn. I can still remember the shock I felt when my vocal coach informed me how specific I had to be with the notes and the scat syllables he was using. I also remember thinking how soloing really did not seem fun...
If only I knew then what I know now!
This is a standard explaining the feelings behind falling in love (and perhaps having your heart broken when you land). It's a standard about what not to do in order to keep your heart guarded, whilst reminding you that "it could happen to you" ("it" being falling in love).
I've always been a sucker for lyrics that have a story or that paints a picture clearly. Perhaps that is why I fell in love with Sara Bareilles' music, because when you go read her lyrics it tells you a story/paints you a picture.
The storyline is quite sad when you think about it.
"Hide your heart from sight...Lock your dreams at night"
To me, dreaming is the best part of sleeping. You get to create moments and adventures that are so far from reality. It's a moment to escape the seriousness of life. But not to Mr Baker.
To him, dreaming is a possibility to dream about the one he loves and perhaps can't have (or maybe she/he doesn't share the same feelings). To him, even just hearing church bells ring opens the possibility of heartbreak.
This standard almost acts like a warning sign from him to us.
With that being said, I ask you dear reader:
Are you willing to stop dreaming in order to safe yourself from falling in love? Are you willing to stop counting the stars?
I'll let you in on a secret...I'm not.
To listen to this song, click here.
Lyrics
Hide your heart from sight,
Lock your dreams at night,
It could happen to you.
Don't count stars
Or you might stumble,
Someone drops a sigh
And down you tumble,
Keep an eye on spring,
Run when church bells ring.
It could happen to you
All I did was wonder
How your arms would be
And it happened to me
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