When Lights Are Low
Benny Carter · In Copenhagen [2008]
Blending in a soft and sweet refrain
As around the floor, dear, we are dancing
Swaying to a fascinating strain
Sweet music soft and mellow
Soothing and slow
Strains of a mellow 'cello
When lights are low
Dear, we're so close together I love you so
Why think about the weather
When lights are low
Two hearts revealing
Music hath charms
Life's so appealing
With inspiration, in your arms
Our lips meeting soft and tender
Love's all aglow
Why shouldn't we surrender
When lights are low
Listen how happy hearts are beating
Like the ocean beats upon the sand
And our feet in rhythm keep repeating
Ev'ry little movement of the band
Sweet music soft and mellow
Soothing and slow
Strains of a mellow 'cello
When lights are low
Dear, we're so close together I love you so
Why think about the weather
When lights are low
Two hearts revealing
Music hath charms
Life's so appealing
With inspiration, in your arms
Our lips meeting soft and tender
Love's all aglow
Why shouldn't we surrender
When lights are low
When Lights Are Low
Benny Carter stands as a towering figure in jazz history, celebrated for his versatility as a saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and arranger. His career spanned nearly eight decades, during which he helped shape the swing era and later embraced modernist approaches. The recording of When Lights Are Low appears on the 2008 album In Copenhagen, capturing the enduring elegance of his mature style. This track reflects Carter's signature ability to blend lyrical phrasing with sophisticated harmonic sensibilities, hallmarks of his extensive discography. Alongside other standards like Far Away Places and Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered, this performance highlights his mastery of the Great American Songbook. The piece serves as a testament to his lasting influence on jazz instrumentation and interpretation, offering listeners a refined example of his artistry in a live European setting.