ELLA FITZGERALD & DUKE ELLINGTON – I’m Beginning To See The Light / Mood Indigo / Cottontail (1965)

“I’m Beginning to See the Light” is a popular song and jazz standard, with music written by Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James and lyrics by Don George and published in 1944. Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots featuring Bill Kenny recorded a version in 1945, that was on the pop song hits list for six weeks in 1945 and reached #5.

“Mood Indigo” is a jazz song with music by Duke Ellington and Barney Bigard and lyrics by Irving Mills. “Cotton Tail” is a 1940 composition by Duke Ellington. It is based on the rhythm changes from George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm”. The first Ellington recording (4 May 1940) is notable for the driving tenor saxophone solo by Ben Webster. Originally an instrumental, “Cotton Tail” later had lyrics written for it by Ellington. Later, more lyrics were written, based on the 1940 recording, by Jon Hendricks, and recorded by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.

Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington “I’m Beginning To See The Light, I Got It Bad (And That Aint Good), Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Mood Indigo & Cottontail” on The Ed Sullivan Show, March 7, 1965.

LYRICS:

I never cared much for moonlit skies I never wink back at fireflies But now that the stars are in your eyes I’m beginning to see the light

I never went in for afterglow Or candlelight on the mistletoe But now when you turn the lamp down low I’m beginning to see the light

Used to ramble through the park Shadowboxing in the dark Then you came and caused a spark That’s a four-alarm fire now

I never made love by lantern-shine I never saw rainbows in my wine But now that your lips are burning mine I’m beginning to see the light