When Lights Are Low
Benny Carter in 1946
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Benny Carter |
| Lyricist | Spencer Williams |
| Year Written | 1936 |
| About When Lights Are Low | |
| “When Lights Are Low” was written in 1936, while both Carter and Williams were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger for the BBC during that time. | |
Lyrics
Listen how our happy hearts are beating
Like the ocean beats upon the sand
And our feet in rhythm keep repeating
Every little movement of the bandSweet music soft and mellow
Soothing and slow
Strains of a mellow cello
When lights are lowDear, we’re so close together
I love you so
Why think about the weather
When lights are low?Who hearts revealing
Music hath charms
Life’s so appealing
With inspiration in your armsOur lips meeting soft and tender
Love’s all aglow
Why shouldn’t we surrender
When lights are low?
Like the ocean beats upon the sand
And our feet in rhythm keep repeating
Every little movement of the bandSweet music soft and mellow
Soothing and slow
Strains of a mellow cello
When lights are lowDear, we’re so close together
I love you so
Why think about the weather
When lights are low?Who hearts revealing
Music hath charms
Life’s so appealing
With inspiration in your armsOur lips meeting soft and tender
Love’s all aglow
Why shouldn’t we surrender
When lights are low?
Sweet music soft and mellow
Strains of a mellow cello
I mean dear, we’re so close together
Why think about the weather
When lights are low?
Who 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?
Session / Album Information
1964
“When Lights Are Low” was recorded on March 26, 1964 and released in 1964 on the album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.
This recording released on:
- 1964: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8975 — When Lights Are Low
- 1964: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 2175 — When Lights Are Low
- 1987: CBS LP 12″: 4504651 — Jazz (UK)
- 1987: Columbia LP 12″: C2 40424 — Jazz
- 1987: Columbia CD: CGK 40424 — Jazz
- 1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5242 — When Lights Are Low [Japan]
- 1998: Columbia CD: CK 65049 — This Is Jazz #33
- 2006: RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 69699 85807 2 — When Lights Are Low
- 2011: Disc #29 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK28) When Lights Are Low