Style:

Nearly always performed as a ballad.

Form:

A-A-B-A (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Key:

Commonly played in G Major, it is also sometimes taken in Eb. Being that it is a widely popular tune amongst vocalists it is often taken in many different keys.

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is very functional. The A sections begin on VImi with the minor cliché line of '5 - #5 – 6 - b7', and the harmony remains mostly diatonic. The bridge is also relatively straightforward, tonicizing IIImi momentarily before ending with IIIMaj7. The melody of the main theme has become an integral part of the jazz language, commonly used to spell out all sorts of different harmony by beginning the phrase on different degrees in relation the the root.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 500 times to date. It was originally written for Ella Fitzgerald to perform in the 1955 film Pete Kelly's Blues, however this arrangement never came to fruition. The offer was then extended to Peggy King who also turned it down. Finally, Julie London recorded an iconic version in 1955 alongside Barney Kessel and Ray Leatherwood which would ultimately solidify its place as a standard. London also performed the tune in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It which helped to further boost its popularity. It has since become a favorite among vocalists in particular, and has also managed to cross-over into the pop sphere a considerable amount.

JGC Top Picks:

Julie London, Julie Is Her Name, 1955

Dexter Gordon, Cry Me A River, 1962

David Hazeltine, Blues Quarters Vol. 1, 2000