Tears

Tears is an instrumental composition by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, first recorded by the Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1937. With its melancholy minor-key theme and contrasting brighter passages, it became one of the most lyrical pieces associated with Django’s repertoire.

The first documented recording was made in Paris on 21 April 1937. The ensemble consisted of Stéphane Grappelli on violin, Django Reinhardt on lead guitar, Pierre “Baro” Ferret and Marcel Bianchi on rhythm guitars, and Louis Vola on double bass. The original matrix number is OLA 1705-1.

Musical character:
Tears is unusually reflective for the classic Hot Club repertoire. The main theme is centred in C minor and has a dark, almost vocal quality, while the contrasting major section opens the harmony and creates a striking change of colour. The result is more intimate and expressive than the hard-driving swing commonly associated with Django.

Connection to Manouche Jazz:
The connection is direct: the piece was composed and recorded by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli and became part of the core Gypsy Jazz repertoire. It also shows another side of Django’s playing — lyrical, restrained and highly expressive rather than purely virtuosic.

Interesting facts:

• Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli are credited as the composers.
• The first documented studio recording was made on 21 April 1937 in Paris.
• The original recording carries matrix number OLA 1705-1.
• On the 1937 recording, Django plays much of the guitar part with the fingers of his right hand rather than his usual plectrum, contributing to the soft and intimate sound.
• Django recorded another very different version in 1940 with a larger ensemble including brass and reeds.
• Further versions were recorded for French radio in 1947.
• The melody is often described as being related to an older Romani or Sinti lullaby, although the precise history of that traditional source is not as securely documented as the recording history of Tears itself.
• In 2000, French singer Françoise Hardy wrote new French lyrics for the melody under the title Tous mes souvenirs me tuent.

Tears reveals the quieter side of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Instead of relying on speed or rhythmic spectacle, the piece uses a simple, deeply expressive melody and subtle harmonic contrast, making it one of the most emotionally distinctive originals in the Manouche Jazz repertoire.