Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.
Mood Indigo
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Till you've had that mood indigo
Yes you have been blue
But not until you've had that mood indigo
Hold on to your shoes, baby 'cause it is
Ooh you have been blue, yes
Not till you have the mood indigo
Whoa there's no trumpet blowing that freaky horn
I see the cries, yeah
Oh baby yes, mm
The song "Mood Indigo" by Duke Ellington is a classic jazz tune with lyrics that convey a sense of deep sadness and despair. The first verse suggests that the listener may have experienced the feeling of being blue, but it is not until they have felt the specific type of melancholy embodied by the "mood indigo" that they truly understand the depths of despair. The second verse emphasizes the message, repeating that the listener may think they have felt the blues before, but not until they have felt the "mood indigo."
The third and final verse is more abstract, with the mention of a trumpet and cries adding to the mysterious and somber mood of the song. The use of the word "freaky" to describe the trumpet suggests a disorienting or unsettling quality to the music, which resonates with the overall sense of unease and melancholy conveyed by the lyrics. The repetition of the phrase "I see the cries" suggests a sense of shared collective pain, as if the singer and the listener are both witnessing the same sorrowful events.
Overall, "Mood Indigo" is a poignant meditation on the depths of sadness and despair, conveyed through powerful imagery and haunting musical touches.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you have been blue, yes but you ain't been blue, Till you've had that mood indigo
Although you have experienced sadness before, it cannot compare to the depth and intensity of the feeling caused by 'mood indigo'.
Yes you have been blue But not until you've had that mood indigo
You may have felt sadness, but you cannot comprehend the unique and profound emotion that is induced by 'mood indigo'.
Hold on to your shoes, baby 'cause it is
Be prepared for the intense and overwhelming emotions that 'mood indigo' will cause.
Now I've seen the cries
As someone who has witnessed and experienced the intense emotion of 'mood indigo', I have seen the tears and pain it can cause.
Ooh you have been blue, yes Not till you have the mood indigo
You may have felt sadness before, but you cannot understand the full extent of the emotion until you have experienced 'mood indigo'.
Whoa there's no trumpet blowing that freaky horn
Even the most dramatic and intense musical instruments, such as a trumpet, cannot fully capture the raw emotion of 'mood indigo'.
I see the cries, yeah Oh baby yes, mm
Having experienced the emotion of 'mood indigo' firsthand, I have seen the tears and distress it can cause, leading me to empathize with others who also experience it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Barney Bigard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kachingwohoo
You ain't never been blue, no, no, no
You ain't never been blue
Till you've had that mood indigo
That feeling goes stealing right down to my shoes
While I just sit here and sigh
Go along blues
I always get that mood indigo
Since my baby said goodbye
And in the evening when the lights are low
I'm so lonely I could cry
For there's nobody who cares about me
I'm just a poor fool that's bluer than blue can be
When I get that mood indigo
I could lay me down and die
You ain't been blue, no, no, no
You ain't never been blue
Till you've had that mood indigo
That feeling goes stealing right down to my shoes
While I just sit here and sigh
Go along blues
@marthamaier5639
This was my companions favorite songs.
He just passed away at age 100.
This is the first time I really listened to it.
He asked every band to play this song but nobody knew it.
@LauraBotsfordmusic
Sorry for your loss Martha, my deepest sympathies. It is such a beautiful song. I grew up with big band music as my dad played this on his trumpet and introduced me to all the greats of that era. I know it well. Take care and know that he always with you.
@CelestialGalaxy7
I’m the guy in the picture on the right looking up at this goddess sing her heart out while my soul fills with happiness.
@sallyrogers6732
Bless u! Bet you've got some awesome stories from that era!
@aprilwillis8315
The "guy"?? LoL. Dizzy aint just a guy to the right. But I hear ya. 👍😁
@patriciahowes4584
That's Dizzy Gillespie. He was a good friend of my sisters first husband and I had the great honor of spending a memorable evening with Diz and some friends after a gig in Washington DC in 1979. A great. musician and great guy. Very funny cat too 😄
@zzzut
In a way, we all are! ❤
@mochawitch
Just WOW❤❤❤❤
@zzzut
That woman could have sung the phone book and it would have been a delight. She was one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.
@roderickdewar1064
My favourite would be Pennsilvania 6500.