It opens with a now-famous sax section theme, and is joined by trumpets and trombones after 13 counts. It has two main solo sections; a "tenor fight" solo—in the most famous recording, between Tex Beneke and Al Klink—and a 16-bar trumpet solo. It is also famous for its ending.
Origins
The song was composed by Joe Garland and Andy Razaf, and arranged by Glenn Miller. The main theme previously appeared under the title of "Tar Paper Stomp (Wingy's Stomp) (08-28-30)", credited to jazz trumpeter/bandleader Wingy Manone, who recorded it several times in 1929 and 1930. A story says that after "In the Mood" became a hit, Manone was paid by Miller and his record company not to contest the copyright.
The main theme also occurs in the Horace Henderson arrangement of "Hot and Anxious"; recorded by his brother's band - The Flecther Henderson Orchestra.
Renditions
Other notable big band artists who recorded the song include the Joe Loss orchestra, the Andrews Sisters, Xavier Cugat, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Lubo D'Orio, The Puppini Sisters and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Non-big band renditions were recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, Chet Atkins, Bill Haley & His Comets, Bad Manners and Ernie Fields, whose version charted at number 4 in the U.S. in 1959. The song was charted at number 16 in 1953 with Johnny Maddox. Jonathan King scored a UK Top 50 hit with his version of the song in 1976. Bette Midler also recorded this song in 1973 (on the album Bette Midler).
A version of the song was recorded by country/novelty artist Ray Stevens in 1977. Stevens' version consisted of him performing the song in chicken clucks, and was credited to the "Henhouse Five Plus Too". The single was a Top-40 hit in both America and the UK...in America it was a hit by Stevens in three music genres: It hit the Pop chart, the Country chart, and the Adult-Contemporary chart. A new Glenn Miller Orchestra version (obviously without Miller), made the Easy Listening (later Adult Contemporary) chart on the Buddah label, after the Ray Stevens novelty version had its day. Saxophonist Al Klink specified that this version be played at his memorial service upon his passing; it was.
In 1951 a Ferranti Mark 1 computer at the University of Manchester played "In the Mood", one of the first songs ever to be played by a computer. The recording of it is was the first ever recording of a computer playing music.
In the Mood
Glenn Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a pair o' shoes, I'd like to try 'em for size
I'll just tell him, "Baby, won't you swing it with me"
Hope he tells me maybe, what a wing it will be
So, I said politely "Darling may I intrude"
He said "Don't keep me waiting when I'm in the mood"
First I held him lightly and we started to dance
And I said "Hey, baby, it's a quarter to three
There's a mess of moonlight, won't you share it with me"
"Well" he answered "Baby, don't you know that it's rude
To keep my two lips waiting when they're in the mood"
In the mood, that's what he told me
In the mood, and when he told me
In the mood, my heart was skipping
It didn't take me long to say "I'm in the mood now"
In the mood for all his kissing
In the mood his crazy loving
In the mood what I was missing
It didn't take me long to say "I'm in the mood now"
So, I said politely "Darling may I intrude"
He said "Don't keep me waiting when I'm in the mood"
"Well" he answered "Baby, don't you know that it's rude
To keep my two lips waiting when they're in the mood"
Who's the loving daddy with the beautiful eyes
What a pair o' shoes, I'd like to try 'em for size
I'll just tell him, "Baby, won't you swing it with me"
Hope he tells me maybe, what a wing it will be
So, I said politely "Darling may I intrude"
He said "Don't keep me waiting when I'm in the mood"
First I held him lightly and we started to dance
Then I held him tightly what a dreamy romance
And I said "Hey, baby, it's a quarter to three
It's a mess of moonlight, won't you share it with me"
"Well" he answered "Baby, don't you know that it's rude
To keep my two lips waiting when they're in the mood"
The lyrics to Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" are about a woman who sees a man with "beautiful eyes" and "a pair o' shoes" she'd like to try on for size. She approaches him and asks him to swing it with her. They dance together, and she describes their romance as dreamy. She asks him to share the moonlight with her, and he agrees, saying it is rude to keep his "two lips waiting when they're in the mood." They continue to dance and hold each other tightly.
The song is about the excitement and energy of being in the mood for love and dancing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a couple lost in the moment on the dance floor. The fast-paced swing music, accompanied by saxophones, trumpets, and drums, adds to the excitement of the song.
While the lyrics may seem light and playful, they also capture the cultural moment of the 1940s. The song, along with others of the time, was meant to lift people's spirits during wartime and provide a moment of distraction from the stress of everyday life. "In the Mood" was a popular song for soldiers during World War II, especially after Miller's Army Air Force Band began performing it on their tours.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's the loving daddy with the beautiful eyes
Asking about the man who catches the singer's eye due to his notable physical appearance.
What a pair o' shoes, I'd like to try 'em for size
Expressing interest in getting to know the man better.
I'll just tell him, "Baby, won't you swing it with me"
Invitation for the man to come dance with the singer.
Hope he tells me maybe, what a wing it will be
Looking forward to finding out what an experience with the man will be like.
So, I said politely "Darling may I intrude"
Asking permission to join the man in his current activities.
He said "Don't keep me waiting when I'm in the mood"
Acknowledging that he is receptive to the singer's advance if she acts fast.
First I held him lightly and we started to dance
Describing how the interaction between the singer and the man began.
Then I held him tightly what a dreamy romance
Sharing how the intensity of their connection increased as they danced.
And I said "Hey, baby, it's a quarter to three
Noticing the time and sharing it with the man.
There's a mess of moonlight, won't you share it with me"
Inviting the man to partake in the romantic ambiance of the moonlight with the singer.
"Well" he answered "Baby, don't you know that it's rude
Politely reminding the singer that she is being forward and should be mindful of his personal boundaries.
To keep my two lips waitin' when they're in the mood"
Expressing a desire to proceed with affection if the singer matches his level of romantic interest.
In the mood, that's what he told me
Declaring that the man is in the mood for romance.
In the mood, and when he told me
Reiterating the man's desire for affection.
In the mood, my heart was skippin'
Sharing the singer's own feelings about the man's advances.
It didn't take me long to say "I'm in the mood now"
Accepting the man's invitation for romance and expressing her own interest.
In the mood for all his kissin'
Expressing a desire for physical affection from the man.
In the mood his crazy lovin'
Describing the intensity and passion of the man's romantic advances.
In the mood what I was missin'
Sharing that the singer has been lacking in romantic fulfillment, but is finding it with the man.
It didn't take me long to say "I'm in the mood now"
Repeating the declaration of acceptance of the man's romantic advances.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Kanjian Music, Shapiro Bernstein & Co Inc, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joseph C. Garland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@notdodger1238
Glenn Miller bought a hotdog for my grandad when he was 9
@danithegreatest
well that's just wholesome :)
@notdodger1238
RandomDude ikr
@simonemastroianni1985
seriously ? ahahah nice :)
@notdodger1238
Simone Mastroianni Yh hehe, he died last week and I only found out now
@gloriacloudrock4271
lickmy socksx omg i’m so sorry for you😦💗
hope you’re ok😟
@leirex_1
bOrN iN tHe WrOnG gEnErAtIoN
NAH
I am born in the right generation because I get to enjoy this and all the other bangers from throughout history up to the present day.
@jesucristodenazaret.
Amén to you good sir
@kennarajora6532
Same with technology, and movies, and all the other stuff too.
@Skizy69
ooh, I like that! Thank you for your wise words