Reflections is a jazz piece by Thelonious Monk, first released in 1954 on the album Thelonious Monk Trio. The original recording features Gerry Mapp on bass and Max Roach on drums. The tune is a beautiful, introspective ballad that has inspired vocal interpretations, including Carmen McRae’s 1988 rendition on Carmen McRae sings Monk, with lyrics by Jon Hendricks titled Looking Back. A notable live version by Dianne Reeves is also highly regarded. The lyrics describe looking back on life, pondering paths not taken, and the space between what’s real and what’s imagined, framed as an eternal waltz in which life keeps dancing. The piece sits in the jazz genre and is valued for its emotional storytelling alongside Monk’s distinctive piano writing.
