Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
Mood Indigo is a classic jazz composition characterized by its bluesy feel and intricate arrangements, showcasing Duke Ellington's innovative style.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: melancholy, reflective
Traditions: jazz
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.
Sudden changes: none. Transitions are musically signaled — nothing will surprise you if you're only half-listening.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.
Vocal style: instrumental.
Where this sits in Duke Ellington's catalog
We have 21 songs from Duke Ellington in the library. Of those, 6 are rated Safe, 14 Moderate, and 1 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits below the artist average of 6.6, making it the #16 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
1930 context
Released in 1930. We have 5 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.0/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 1930s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Safe because its dynamic range stays within our low-variance band, there are no unsignaled changes, and the texture and vocal style are both in the low-fatigue range. Our methodology uses an AND rule for Safe — a song has to clear every dimension to earn the rating.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-16. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Mood Indigo"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Mood Indigo" by Duke Ellington?
"Mood Indigo" by Duke Ellington rates as Low-Intensity. Dynamic range 6/10, no sudden changes, layered texture. Our Low-Intensity rating means no single dimension triggers the higher-intensity thresholds.
How loud is "Mood Indigo" — what is its dynamic range?
"Mood Indigo" has a dynamic range of 6/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.
Does "Mood Indigo" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "Mood Indigo" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "Mood Indigo" best for?
In our library "Mood Indigo" is recommended for: deep listening, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Mood Indigo" released?
"Mood Indigo" is from 1930, on the album "Schmuse-Jazz". It appears in our 1930s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Mood Indigo"?
We tag "Mood Indigo" as melancholy, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Mood Indigo"?
The vocal style is instrumental.
Should I listen to "Mood Indigo"?
If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "Mood Indigo" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.
Songs with the same DNA
layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
What this song means to people
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