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 and his Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
In A Sentimental Mood
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
Rose pearls seem to fall
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
Glenn Miller's "In A Sentimental Mood" is a love song that describes a dreamlike world of affection and bliss. The lyrics evoke an image of the stars shining through the room as the lover's attitude suddenly changes the mood, illuminating the darkness. The melody driven by the kiss encapsulates the joyous feelings that the singer experiences from the love of their life. The song portrays the narrative of a complete and fulfilling love, culminating in an otherworldly feeling of being immersed in a dreamworld where love is the only thing that matters. The singer's heart feels light and divine, and the world is heavenly, suggesting that their love is purely spiritual.
The singer takes his listeners on a journey of emotional highs and lows, alternating between heady feelings of love and moments of sentimental reverie. The lyrics are infused with a timeless quality that blends seamlessly with the mood of the jazz melody. The song's structure is simple, elegant and evocative, and acts as a perfect vessel for the emotions of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the stars come thru my room
I am lying in my room out of the city, gazing at the dark sky, and I can see the stars shining bright.
While your loving attitude is like a flame that lights the gloom
Your affectionate demeanor is so warm and touching that it feels like a vibrant flame that illuminates the darkness around me.
On the wings of ev'ry kiss drift a melody so strange and sweet
Every time we kiss, there is a beautiful and unique tune that arises as if by magic, sweet and unusual at the same time.
In this sentimental bliss you make my paradise complete
My joy and happiness while being with you is so perfect that it makes my existence feel like an idyllic paradise.
Rose pearls seem to fall
It is as if precious rose pearls are softly cascading from the sky, an elegant and romantic moment.
It's all like a dream to call you mine
Being able to call you mine feels like a surreal and lovely dream come true that I never want to wake up from.
My heart's lighter thing since you made me this night a thing divine
Ever since you came into my life and blessed me with your love, I feel like a better and happier person, with a heart that is lighter and gladness that is divine.
I'm within a world so heavenly
Being with you and enjoying your love makes my life feel like I am living in a wonderful, celestial realm.
For I never dreamt that you'd be loving sentimental me
I never thought that I would be so lucky to have you, someone as loving and kind as you, to care for and cherish me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., T.R.O. INC.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, MANNY KURTZ, IRVING MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anneauwaerter7995
81 years old and STILL a powerhouse piece of music!
@aidennewell4034
Hello Anne, How are you doing?
@davidyoung8875
I'm only 60 but i have always loved glenn miller this song rocks
@weskirkland5850
damn right got 80s babies loving it cuz of their apparently cool afterall grandparents.
@patrickgomes2213
81 years young. Well, 85 years young.
@marialauraterrone8985
There you said it!! A powerhouse still going strong! Greetings to all Glenn Miller lovers from Argentina!
@alanwaters5957
My son had a swing band at his wedding 13 years ago. My wife and I took swing dance lessons and didn't tell anyone. They the band opened with this song. It was awesome as we caught everyone by surprise. My nephew travels the world as a swing and Lindy hop dancer sure had a good time too. What a great song to move too.
@nuttybangerz
That sounds so nice, I need a swing band for my own wedding one day
@danigrey442
How awesome!!
@bmjpdx9222
That band sure knew what they were doing, opening with "In The Mood".