If We Never Meet Again (correct one) PDF

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Diego Wong Library Database Assignment and Presentation 900156147 MUSC 1100 Sec: 8/23/16 11

“If We Never Meet Again” by Louis Armstrong & Horace Gerlach I chose the song “If We Never Meet Again” because, primarily, I am a fan of Jazz. The historic context of this masterpiece takes place during World War II and the Great Depression in the early 1930s. To be exact, it was composed in 1936 by one of the most influential figures in Jazz history, Louis Armstrong, and the album where the song is included is titled: “Heart Full of Rhythm / Volume 2 (193638)”. I enjoy this song because it creates a soft and relaxed melody that includes various musical instruments like the piano, guitar, clarinet, and upright bass. You can also hear percussion like the hi-hat and snare drum, and, of course, well known jazz brass instruments such as the trumpet and the saxophone. I like the musical harmony in this song because you can hear the pleasing linear melody of the saxophone while the trumpet plays a very high pitch back and forth. The timbre of the instruments is also demonstrated. For example, when the upright bass plays it has a deep low pitch sound, unlike the trumpet and the saxophone that have a high pitch sound. The dynamics in the song are very soft, because it has a slow, calm tempo. In a similar way, the rhythm of the song is very basic because of its tempo. It sounds a bit like a standard waltz triple time beat. I would characterize the tone of this song as very smooth and elegant. It is not as upbeat and joyful as some of his other songs from the album, like for example, “I Come from A Musical Family” or “Mahogany Hall Stomp”. As for the texture of the song, it doesn’t contain a heavy instrument based composition because there are few instruments playing. It rather contains a light easy-going pace with a lot of pauses. Finally, the lyrics are a bit tragic. Louis Armstrong talks about a love interest of which he will never let go and sings that he will always love her and have things to remember her of if they never see each other again. For example, in the lyrics: “The snows of December will bring you back to me” he is saying that he wants to have her back with him because she probably left or they broke up. Another example is in the lyrics: “The birds in the spring when they sing, will tell me that love never dies” he is saying that he will always be in love with her, and will never forget her.

Works Cited: GGC Musical Database: “If We Never Meet Again” – Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach http://search.alexanderstreet.com.libproxy.ggc.edu/jazz/view/work/715686...