Si Tu Savais is a French Gypsy Jazz tune that became closely associated with Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club de France. It was written by Georges Ulmer and Marcel Antoni with French lyrics by André Salvet, and carries a copyright from 1944 (though it may have been composed as early as 1938). The song’s first widely known release was by Django Reinhardt and Le Quintette du Hot Club de France with Stéphane Grappelli in 1947, and Django recorded it in November of that year. Ulmer himself also recorded the piece in 1947 (unreleased) and again in 1951. Over the years the tune has been performed by several artists and remains a staple in the Gypsy Jazz repertoire.
Key facts
- Composer(s): Georges Ulmer, Marcel Antoni; lyricist: André Salvet
- Original artist and first release: Django Reinhardt & Le Quintette du Hot Club de France with Stéphane Grappelli, 1947
- Ulmer recordings: 1947 (unreleased) and 1951
- Genre: Gypsy Jazz / French Jazz Standard
- Notable later performers: Martha Love, Anny Flore, Nelly Kay, Jo Bouillon
- Publisher and rights: EMI Music Publishing France; ASCAP, GEMA listed
