Jean-Pierre

Album: We Want Miles (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • George Cole, author of The Last Miles: The Music of Miles Davis, 1980-1991, considers this a standout track from Davis' last decade (he died in 1991). Writes Cole: "'Jean-Pierre' has a child-like melody and became Miles's signature tune. The funny thing is, no one agrees on the origin of the tune! Whatever, it was a tune Miles would close almost every show with for years." (For more on Miles Davis,read our interview with George Cole.)

Comments: 2

  • Perry from L.a.Jean-Pierre Durand was the son of Frances Taylor Davis (who Miles mentioned as his favorite wife). Best educated guess is that he named the theme after him... but there's no way to confirm this.
  • Dave from Scottsdale, AzMiles appeared on SNL around 1981 and performed this song. It was listed in TV Guide as "Miles Davis performs 'Untitled'."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.