Jazzman by Carole King

Album: Wrap Around Joy (1974)

Charted: 2

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This was Carole King's biggest hit after the release of the album Tapestry. Here, she celebrates the jazz musician, particularly the most gifted ones who "lift me above the old routine," and requests a song. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
King wrote the music, and the lyrics were written by David Palmer, who was a vocalist on some early Steely Dan songs, including "Dirty Work."
Tom Scott played the role of the "Jazzman" - that's him on saxophone. Scott is a prolific player who has worked as a solo artist, performed with The Blues Brothers and appeared on the song "Terminal Frost."

Comments: 10

Josh Martin from St. LouisIts about Ray Charles' band member, composer
Dennis from PaI don't know if it's true, but I'm pretty sure I once heard that the Jazzman is supposed to be Neil Diamond, and this song is a companion to his Sweet Caroline, which is about her.
Frankie from San DiegoIt’s a ask Jesus into your heart song: Jesus lifts you above old routine, so you can play it clean, your testimony testifies, faithless man believes in Jesus, Jesus sings you into paradise, in awe Jesus brings you to your knees in surrender, gospel kind of feeling forgives wrongdoing, you receive pure revival, now Jesus sanctifies you, take your blues away, make my pain the same as Yours, He will allow sadness and tears so you’ll call Him into relationship with Jesus, fallen angel rising time is near
Mitchell Anthony Greca from New Boston Miit was always jazzman take my booze away.
Darlene from Raleigh, NcDoes anyone know who plays guitar? Sounds like Al Stewart.
Dave Wilson from Cherry Hill NjThis is the closest to a perfect song I've ever heard, she was born to perform it! And after all these years, my eyes tear up whenever I hear it play.
Andrea from GeorgiaIn the song jazzman a touch of Georgia slide.... Is it about mud slide or slide guitar?
Robert from Chicago , IlThis is also my favorite Carole King song. The song came out in the mid 70's ('75 I believe). It didn't register with me until I went to college (in '79). I had a frat brother whose nickname was Chaz and I would always sing the lyrics as "Chazman".
Erl from T.o., OnI actually remembered this song when I just listened to it. Not from the radio though. I believe this song was used on a "Simpsons" episode. I believe this show was about the death of Lisas favorite sax player, "Bleeding Gums Murphy". Near the end of the show, Murphy, from the heavens above, plays this song with Lisa, before he hits his final resting place. If memory serves me, Lisas quest was to get some of his music played on the radio.
Paul from Detroit, MiMy favorite song from the talented Ms. King. Perfection.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Freak On A LeashKorn

Korn's most popular song, "Freak On A Leash," is about their predatory record label making huge profits off the band. It was quite profitable, helping the Follow The Leader album sell over 5 million copies.

TeardropMassive Attack

"Teardrop" by Massive Attack has vocals by Elizabeth Fraser of The Cocteau Twins, who wrote the lyric after learning that Jeff Buckley had died.

Born to be AlivePatrick Hernandez

In 1979, Madonna was a dancer on Patrick Hernandez' tour, where she boogied to his hit "Born To Be Alive."

Here I Go AgainWhitesnake

"Here I Go Again" was a #1 hit for Whitesnake in 1987, but it was first released in 1982 with the lyric, "Like a hobo I was born to walk alone."

I Wanna Be BadWilla Ford

Willa Ford came up with her hit "I Wanna Be Bad" when her record company told her to tone down her music in a effort to differentiate her from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, who were in their "bad girl" eras.

All Around The WorldLisa Stansfield

"All Around The World" by Lisa Stansfield has a sultry spoken intro inspired by Barry White. He was honored by the homage, and in 1992 joined Stansfield to record a duet version of the song.