Body And Soul Lyrics - Manhattan Transfer

Don't you know, he was the king of saxophones? 

Yes, indeed he was 

Talkin' 'bout the guy that made it sound so good 

Some people knew him by the Bean 

But Hawkins was his name 

He sure could swing and play pretty too 

Sounds good to me, should sound good to you 

I love to hear him playing Body and Soul 

Very pleasing to the ear 

When I first heard it on the record 

I just stopped right there 

Sounded like a band of angels in the sky 

And I have never ever heard a sweeter tone 

In fact I payed no attention to the saxophone 

Till Coleman Hawkins came along 

And spoke to everyone 

Saying better listen, won't you hear me 

While I play for you? 

Sometimes it's hot, then again it's blue 

My soul just seems to wander 

Pleasing each and everyone 

It's what I've long been craving for 

The doors have not been always open 

But I am trying to please you 

Please don't stop me 

Hope you like it folks 

And then he started cookin' 

Every time he played 

Some melodic melody fast or slow 

You could tell that it was Hawkins 

No other one ever has quite captured his tone 

Just he alone has the sound that penetrates 

It will sure go right through you, yes it will 

And every chorus gives you just another thrill 

Then along came Eddie Jefferson 

He sang the melody like Hawkins played it 

He sang it true, he sang it blue 

Made words for it too 

All his fans in New York loved him 

There's no one above him 

Here in the U.S.A 

I've heard 'em say old Eddie was the man 

Oh how he could sing 

Man did he swing 

Sang on the wing, did his own thing 

Yes he did 

Throughout the country 

Music lovers are still wiggin' on Eddie's singin' 

All around the world, he is known 

Rhythm was his special joy, he swung it like a horn 

He must have been born to be a singer 

'Cause his lyrics were so sincere and true 

Funny sad or blue, oh yeah! 

And we've got to remind you, many years it took him 

Singing every day to achieve his first claim to fame 

He was twenty years ahead of his time 

And he knew it but he kept right on a singing 

He went all around the world making rhythm 

'Cause music sure was in him and he knew it was 

Sang with Moody and Richie Cole 

He could sing it just like Bird 

But his forte was the words he wrote to 

Music that he sang 

So he sang, and he sang 

And he sang his words so clever 

And I know they'll silence him never 

'Cause he cut this masterpiece 

And now we're trying to sing it for you 

Hope the Bean and Eddie both would still approve 

There we go, we didn't mean to reminisce 

You can surely bet that we won't forget 

'Cause we hear them yet, goodbye