Today marks the 85th Birthday of “In The Mood”- Glenn Miller’s signature tune. This, the definitive version of it, was recorded August 1st, 1939 by Miller and his Orchestra at the RCA Victor Studio in New York. The song was written by Wingy Manone, based on his own “Tar Paper Stomp”. with lyrics later by Andy Razaf, and this track was arranged for Miller by Joe Garland. It was recorded before Miller, in 1938, by Wingy Manone, then by Edgar Hayes, but nobody much remembers those versions. Miller’s version is THE version and again, his signature song. It is in the Grammy Hall of Fame and was selected by the Library of Congress to be in the registry of significant recordings. The single, with “I Want To Be Happy” as the B side, was the all time best-selling swing instrumental. “In The Mood” is a track full of horn riffs, sometimes battling… saxes and trumpets and trombones… HUGE hit for Miller… high energy and with that risqué title…. It became emblematic of the swing era… a standard, and very much of that time… but it is also timeless… enduring.
[Mary Elaine LeBey]
