Michel Petrucciani came from a Franco-Italian family of a musical background. At an early age he became enthusiastic about the works of Duke Ellington and wished to become a pianist like him. Although he trained for years as a classical pianist, jazz remained his interest. He had his first professional concert at 13. At this point in his life he was still quite fragile so had to be carried to and from the piano. Michel Petrucciani was born with osteogenesis imperfecta which is a genetic condition that causes brittle bones and in his case short stature. It is also often linked to pulmonary ailments. In general his size meant that he required aids to reach the piano's pedals, but his hands were average in length.
By age 18 he helped form a successful trio. He moved to the US in 1982. In the US he is credited with leading Charles Lloyd to resume playing actively and in 1986 he did an album with Wayne Shorter. He also played with diverse figures in the US jazz scene including Dizzy Gillespie.
He is one of the first, if not the only, French musicians to sign with Blue Note Records. In 1994 he was made a knight of the Légion d'honneur in Paris.
His own style would be influenced by Bill Evans although some compare him to Keith Jarrett. He is often deemed to be among the best jazz pianists to ever come from France.
On the personal side he had three significant relationships. His first marriage to Italian pianist Gilda Buttà ended in divorce. He also fathered two children, one being a son named Alexandre. One of these kids inherited his condition. He also had a stepson.
Michel Petrucciani died at 36 from a pulmonary infection. He is buried in Le Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
In A Sentimental Mood
Michel Petrucciani 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
The song "In A Sentimental Mood" is a romantic and dreamy ballad that expresses the deep and blissful emotions of falling in love. The lyrics describe the feeling of being swept away by the passion and tenderness of a loved one's affection. The stars shining through the room and the flame that lights the gloom symbolize the warmth and radiance that the lover brings into the singer's life. The melody that drifts on the wings of every kiss is a sensual and enchanting image that captures the magic and allure of being in love. The rose pearls that seem to fall and the dreamlike quality of the experience add a sense of delicacy and fragility to the theme of love.
The lyrics of the song also convey a sense of surprise and wonder at the unexpectedness of finding such love. The singer expresses their gratitude for being loved despite their sentimental nature and confesses to feeling like they are in a heavenly world. The words "For I never dreamt that you'd be loving sentimental me" echo the sentiment that one's own happiness and sense of fulfillment can sometimes feel too good to be true.
Overall, the lyrics of "In A Sentimental Mood" are a poetic and evocative portrayal of the blissful experience of falling in love and being loved.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the stars come thru my room
I am overcome with emotion and can see the beauty of the stars shining through my window.
While your loving attitude is like a flame that lights the gloom
Your kindness and affection have the power to brighten even the darkest of days.
On the wings of ev'ry kiss drift a melody so strange and sweet
With every kiss, a beautiful and unique melody plays, filling me with joy and happiness.
In this sentimental bliss you make my paradise complete
In this state of deep emotion and happiness, you complete my idea of what paradise would be like.
Rose pearls seem to fall, It's all like a dream to call you mine
Like precious pearls, everything around me seems magnificent, and having you as mine feels like a dream come true.
My heart's lighter thing, Since you made me this night a thing divine
You have made this night feel divine, and my heart feels lighter because of your love and affection.
I'm within a world so heavenly, For I never dreamt That you'd be loving sentimental me
Being with you makes me feel like I am in a heavenly world, and I never imagined that someone as loving as you would care for someone like me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Cloud9
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sing Your Style Studio
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 every kiss
Drifts a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss
You make my paradise complete
Rose petals seem to fall
It's all I could dream to call you mine
My heart's a lighter thing
Since you made 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
Petit Ours
Il y a beaucoup de bons à très bons pianistes, mais Michel PETRUCCIANI, c'est un cocktail unique d'émotions, de force, de sensibilité, de finesse, de technique... RIP
Jan Warmus
Unbelievable harmonic freedom, honestly i have never heard a pianist doing such crazy harmonies and yet still be so on point with the melody. I cannot understand how you can improvise something so complex so easily. Its truly next level.
titirios1
it is magic or michelle had more than 1 brain
uuu iii
Or more than one heart.
Blackford Oblique
Ya. Mical is too good. Next level?! You mean transcendent or hyper-evolved.
Snoopy Snoop
Nicholas Freed He was, unfortunately he past away. RIP best Jazzpiano player ever🙏
Martín Quelempan
Like bill evans
R Don Wright
One of the most beautiful songs ever written, and Mr. Petrucciani's interpretation is honest and true. Wonderful. Glorious.
ronlweasley
Ashamed to say I had never heard of him until 10 minutes ago. What an incredible guy and what a sad sad loss to die so young. Fabulous and very moving piano playing. Makes me very emotional.
Ian Clulow
Exactly. Where have I been all my life..Ian.