Nuages (song)

"Nuages" (French pronunciation: ​[nɥaʒ]) is one of the best-known compositions by Django Reinhardt. He recorded at least thirteen versions of the tune, which is a jazz standard and a mainstay of the gypsy swing repertoire. English and French lyrics have been added to the piece which was originally an instrumental work. The title translated into English is "Clouds", but the adaptation with English lyrics is titled "It's the Bluest Kind of Blues".

In 1940, Django made two recordings of Nuages in F major, and with a clarinet melody. (Some later recordings are in G major, perhaps to suit the violin.) Unhappy with the first recording, Reinhardt added a second clarinet, creating a renowned arrangement for the December 1940 recording. Reinhardt's 1946 recording (as can be heard in the sample) is in the key of G major.

"Nuages" was released by Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France on the French Swing label as a 78-RPM single (SW88, OSW.146) in 1940. The flip side is "Les Yeux Noirs".

Tony Bennett used the music with new lyrics that he wrote for a song titled "All for You", released in 2004 on the album The Art of Romance.

Joe Pass recorded the song in 1964.

Paul Desmond recorded the song in 1974 with guitarist Ed Bickert on the album Pure Desmond.

The guitarist Charlie Byrd, Michel Legrand, Tal Farlow, Willie Nelson, and the Gipsy Kings have recorded the song.

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