The Mood That I'm In
Billie Holiday W/ Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics
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Not that I considered it a sin
But tonight I want your arms around me
It's the mood that I'm in
Can it be the music that they're playin'
Or the magic of the violin
That intrigues my heart to obeyin'
Maybe it's the cocktail that I'm sippin'
Tonight I'm so romantically inclined
So speak to me of love
In words so tender
Let the rhapsody of life begin
I could give my heart in sweet surrender
It's the mood I'm in
In the song “The Mood That I’m In,” Billie Holiday sings about wanting to be held by someone, even though she has never dared to be in their arms before. She clarifies that this desire isn’t sinful, but rather seems to be caused by the music being played and the magic of the violin. The cocktail she is sipping on also seems to have played a role in putting her in such a romantic mood. She yearns for a talk of love in gentle words and a rhapsody of life to begin. This mood seems to be coaxing her into sweet surrender.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the music, magic, and drinks are only external factors causing her to be in this mood. She seems to be in a mood of longing and surrender that cannot be brushed aside with logic. It’s an example of how human emotions operate without being tied to practicality, and the lyrics persuade the listeners to embrace their emotions too.
Line by Line Meaning
Never dared to have your arms around me
I never had the courage to let you hold me in your arms
Not that I considered it a sin
It's not that I thought it was wrong or immoral
But tonight I want your arms around me
Tonight I'm yearning to be held by you
It's the mood that I'm in
This feeling is because of my current state of mind
Can it be the music that they're playin'
I wonder if the music is influencing my emotions
Or the magic of the violin
Perhaps it's the enchanting sound of the violin
That intrigues my heart to obeyin'
Which compels my heart to obey my desires
It's the mood that I'm in
Again, this feeling is simply a result of my current emotional state
Maybe it's the cocktail that I'm sippin'
This new feeling could also be due to the beverage I'm enjoying
Tonight I'm so romantically inclined
I feel particularly inclined towards love and passion tonight
So speak to me of love
Please tell me more about love
In words so tender
Say these words gently and with care
Let the rhapsody of life begin
Allow the beautiful music of life to take over
I could give my heart in sweet surrender
I'm ready to give up my heart to the object of my affection
It's the mood I'm in
And all of these feelings are simply due to my current state of mind
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL SHERMAN, ABNER SILVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Walter Gray
I feel that i could listen to this forever. It's the mood I' in.
Thank you for sharing this gem.
inarel90
Music from the soul.Nothing that we have today compares with this. :)
Daniel Calderon
Una de mis preferidas, no se en que momento me encanto!
Adrian Jaime
i have this song as my ringtone.....love it!
jazzloves
my absolute favourite jazz vocalist of the era, period. and, one of my favourite renditions by her. thanks Kahan ka purple0accident.
Auntie Brooklyn
Blues/Jazz at its best!
sam gilford music videos
Teddy Wilson And His Orchestra
Henry "Red" Allen (tp), Cecil Scott (cl,as,ts), Prince Robinson (ts), Teddy Wilson (p),
Jimmy McLin (g), John Kirby (b), Cozy Cole (d), Billie Holiday (vcl)
NYC, February 18, 1937
Frederick Obando
I love the song. But I hate the fact that they made her look like a white movie star of that era on the cover. Billie Holliday was black, goddamnit! All of this to probably just make it more attractive to the white mainstream consumer back then. Today this is quiet irritating. Then again, what do the make Beyonce and Rhianna look like with their straightened hair? Basically white women. There you have it: not that much has changed, ey?