About the song
In the realm of jazz, few voices have captivated audiences with the same level of elegance and poise as Sarah Lois Vaughan. Born on March 27, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, Vaughan’s life was a testament to her unwavering passion for music, which would eventually earn her the nicknames “Sassy” and “The Divine One.” With a career spanning over five decades, Vaughan’s impact on the jazz world is still celebrated today, inspiring generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
Growing up in a family of modest means, Vaughan’s early life was marked by a strong connection to music. Her father, Asbury “Jake” Vaughan, was a carpenter by trade, but also an accomplished guitarist and pianist, while her mother, Ada Vaughan, sang in the church choir. The family’s deep-rooted faith and involvement in the New Mount Zion Baptist Church played a significant role in shaping Vaughan’s musical journey. At the tender age of seven, she began taking piano lessons, and soon, she was singing in the church choir and playing piano for rehearsals and services.
As she entered her teenage years, Vaughan’s love for popular music only grew stronger. She would often sneak into local nightclubs, where she would perform as a pianist and singer, honing her craft and developing her unique style. Despite her academic pursuits at East Side High School and later at Newark Arts High School, Vaughan’s nocturnal adventures as a performer eventually took precedence, leading her to drop out of high school during her junior year to focus on her music.
This pivotal decision marked the beginning of Vaughan’s remarkable journey, which would be punctuated by numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and nine Grammy nominations. Her contributions to jazz were recognized with an NEA Jazz Masters Award in 1989, cementing her status as one of the most revered voices of the 20th century. Critic Scott Yanow’s assertion that Vaughan possessed “one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century” is a testament to her enduring legacy, which continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
Video
Lyrics
Look at me, I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree;
And I feel like I’m clingin’ to a cloud,
I can’ t understand
I get misty, just holding your hand.
Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play,
Or it might be the sound of your hello,
That music I hear,
I get misty, the moment you’re near.
You can say that you’re leading me on.
But it’s just what I want you to do,
Don’t you notice how hopelessly I’m lost
That’s why I’m following you.
On my own,
Would I wander through this wonderland alone,
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I’m too misty, and too much in love.
I’m just too misty
And too much
In love…