"In a Sentimental Mood" makes use of a musical technique called contrapuntal or chromatic embellishment of static harmony. This is also sometimes referred to as a line cliché.
Ellington recorded his best-known version together with John Coltrane, which is featured on Duke Ellington and John Coltrane and Coltrane for Lovers. The Ellington and Coltrane version was performed in the key of D flat major, mainly from B flat minor 7th to E flat minor 7th, and then A flat 13th to D flat major 7th, with an interesting interlude in A major.
The song has been performed by many other artists including Phyllis Hyman, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Django Reinhardt, Lucky Thompson, Jay McShann, Benny Goodman, Pedro Rossi, Billy Joel, Nancy Wilson, Dr. John, Sonny Rollins, Michael Brecker (Steps Ahead), Daniel Barenboim, Edvard Sađil, Larry Coryell (from his 2001 album Inner Urge), Rob Mullins, Archie Shepp, and Alex Bugnon.
In a Sentimental Mood
John Coltrane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The stars come through 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 through 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
In John Coltrane's "In a Sentimental Mood," the singer is basking in the afterglow of a romantic encounter. They are struck by the beauty of their partner's presence - a "loving attitude" that brings light to even the darkest corners of the room. This atmosphere is heightened by the soundtrack of their passion - a "melody so strange and sweet" that seems to hang in the air with every kiss. In these moments, the singer feels like they are in paradise, awash in a dreamlike state that makes their heart feel "lighter."
Line by Line Meaning
In a Sentimental Mood I can see
I am overwhelmed with emotions and can see the world in a sentimental light.
The stars come through my room
The stars are shining brightly and are visible through my window.
While your loving attitude is
Your affectionate demeanor is
Like a flame that lights the gloom
Like a bright light that dispels darkness and despair.
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
With each kiss, there is a melody that travels on the wings of our passion and love.
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
The melody of our love is both unusual and delightful.
In this sentimental bliss you make
You create a state of sentimental ecstasy and joy.
My Paradise complete
My life is now fully happy and fulfilled.
Rose pearls seem to fall
The falling of rose petals is a symbol of our love and romance.
It's all like a dream to call you mine
It is difficult to believe that you are really mine - this must be a dream.
My heart's lighter thing since you
My heart feels lighter and free since you came into my life.
Made me this night a thing divine
You have turned this night into a divine and magical experience.
I'm within a world so heavenly
I am living in a world that is both perfect and divine.
For I never dreamt that you'd be
I never imagined that you would truly exist in my life.
Loving sentimental me
Loving me, who is sentimental and emotional.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NICKEYBLACK35
IF IT WASN'T FOR JOHN COLTRANE RAKIM WOULD'VE NEVER CHANGED THE HIP HOP GAME
I played the Sax. I learned how to read music. My mother sang jazz to opera back in Brooklyn. She sung at the Apollo on amature night. My brother knew how to play every instrument.
So I came up under a roof of good music. The first thing that made sense to me was join a band. I played a recorder from kindergarten to 3rd grade, and the Sax from 4th to the 12th grade.
In the mist of that, I fell in love with John Coltrane. I heard John play 2 notes at one time, and being that I played the Sax I knew that was impossible.
So when I heard that, that made me think of taking things to the next level. Hearing Coltrane play solos and rhythms, I started realizing all those rhythms I was holding onto.
I started writing rhymes in Hip Hop. I wasn't just hearing 1,2,3,4. I was hearing 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and wa de da da da de wa wa.
I started realizing I can start filling space with rhythm and intellectual words, and 4-5 syllable words. I figured out I can make the same patterns John was using with certain syllable words and certain syllable words after each other ~Rakim
@dabaryammalak6091
What are you talking about? hip-hop is a music that embrace the old- only real music lovers know that!
the sugar hill gang rappers delight beat is to a group called chic.
sir mix a lot ironman is the beat of a rock band.
James brown the islet brothers funkadelics has been used in hip-hop.
here is the prob- today the olders aren't sharing there music with the young so they hold on to what they know.
its funny cuz if the old shared their history it would prove what I said- hip hop is a genre of music that embrace the past genre's.
the music of the past is far superior to hip hop itself.
eminem stan is an example of what I'm talking about- the person on hook is the same hook for same song.
music is a beautiful art but who is willing to share.
@catrinad2491
I remember when I had this on my mp3, I was on the bus home from school one evening and I remember I used to come home depressed every day after school, because I was being bullied during that time... This song came on, and it was so perfect as the sun was setting and the sky was that beautiful pink/orange. It made me feel at peace, like I could fly.. and nothing else mattered. This song is magical.
@makaila2646
💛💛💛
@Total1Now
YOu have a lovely turn of phrase Catrina. Have you thought of becoming a writer?
@luigipaolocanale8029
Grazie.... a big hug ☺
@catrinad2491
@@Total1Now Oh no I'm definitely not a good writer, I just wanted capture that feeling I had all those years ago in that moment this song came on. With that comment I still don't feel like I did it justice lol its like one of those things in life you never forget. Thanks everyone for the likes, if you're all here you clearly have great taste in music 😁
@catrinad2491
@Jonathan MOORice Thank you I appreciate that :)
@maximpopov8651
God breathes through us so completely, so gently we hardly feel it, yet, it is our everything. ~ John Coltrane.
@queencass9127
😭😭😭
@AthenaKama
Reading this gave me goosebumps. Thanks for sharing this amazing quote from Mr Coltrane 🔥👏🏾🏌🏾♀️💯💯💪🏾🤗
@blessedchica
@maximpopov8651 Thank you. A beautiful quote.