I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Thelonious Monk Lyrics


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Never thought I'd fall,
But now I hear love call,
I'm getting sentimental over you

Things you say and do,
Just thrill me through and through,
I'm getting sentimental over you.
I thought I was happy,
I could live without love
Now I must admit,
Love is all I'm thinking of

Won't you please be kind,
And just make up your mind
That you'll be sweet & gentle,




Be gentle with me
Because I'm sentimental over you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Thelonious Monk's song I’m Getting Sentimental Over You is a confession of newfound emotions of love that the singer did not anticipate could happen to him. The opening lines suggest the singer's surprise at the recognition of romantic feelings, admitting that he never thought he would fall in love. But now, through hearing the call of love, he finds himself becoming sentimental and reflective on his feelings towards his loved one.


The singer further elaborates how his partner's actions and words thrill him through and through. He expresses a newfound happiness that he did not know could exist, and he now recognizes that love is all he thinks about, contrary to his past belief that he could live without it. Towards the end of the song, the singer pleads with his partner to be kind and gentle with him, considering that he has become very sentimental about her.


Line by Line Meaning

Never thought I'd fall,
I never expected to fall in love.


But now I hear love call,
But now I can hear love's call and it's hard to ignore.


I'm getting sentimental over you
I'm starting to feel nostalgic about our relationship.


Things you say and do,
The things you say and do have a powerful effect on me.


Just thrill me through and through,
They fill me with excitement and happiness like nothing else.


I'm getting sentimental over you.
I can't help but feel nostalgic about how wonderful you make me feel.


I thought I was happy,
I used to believe that I was happy without love.


I could live without love
I thought I didn't need love to be happy.


Now I must admit,
But now I realize.


Love is all I'm thinking of
That love is the only thing on my mind right now.


Won't you please be kind,
Can you please be gentle with me?


And just make up your mind
And decide what you really want.


That you'll be sweet & gentle,
That you'll be kind and gentle with me.


Be gentle with me
Please be gentle with my heart and my feelings.


Because I'm sentimental over you
Because I have strong, nostalgic feelings for you.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Integrity Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Bassman, Ned Washington

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@andyarleo1940

I discovered Monk as a teenager in the 60s thanks to this recording, which was on an anthology released by Riverside, I believe. I love the tune and Monk's distinctive and moving performance, rooted in tradition, but so original. It made total musical sense to me back then and still does today. Thanks for sharing this.

@agustine.alvarez9832

Monk a great artist, the ballads have a tone of nostalgia that reach the soul.

@michaelhermiston

love this… so very beautiful … sublime and reflective  

@barbarabrown3381

Master mind

@emiliotellezv

Love it

@marcschasny3158

genius

@docjazz290

It's a solo album. Coltrane and Ware only play on one track, "Monk's Mood".

@lavontedavis3024

I love this take

@doyasteve

Thanks very much for sharing this.

@josephwma17

Superb !!!

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