Origin:

Introduced in the 1964 MGM film The Americanization of Emily.

Style:

Waltz.

Form:

A-B-A-C-D (40 Bars) [8-8-8-8-8]

Key:

Most commonly played in C Major.

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony of this composition is very functional with majority of the tune centered around I - VI - II - V's. The melody is also fairly straightforward, repeating the initial phrase constantly throughout the entire piece. It is worthwhile to take note of how the main theme which  is made up of a minor triad is able to act as various upper-structures when repeated over the many different chords throughout the song.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 240 times to date. It was first introduced in the 1964 MGM film The Americanization of Emily by Julie Andrews. Several other vocalists would also record it the same  year from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Jack Jones to name a few. Bill Evans probably did more than any other jazz musician to legitimize this tune as a viable jazz vehicle having recorded it on  several occasions throughout his career. It continues to be performed frequently to this day and remains as one of the more popular waltzes in the repertoire.

JGC Top Picks:

Bill Evans, But Beautiful, 1974

Oscar Peterson, The London Concert, 1978

Jim Hall, Ballad Essentials, 1982