Origin:

Introduced in the film Thrill of a Romance.

Style:

Usually played as a ballad, it is also sometimes taken at a medium up tempo.

Form:

A1-B-A2-C (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Key:

Taken  in a wide variety of keys. Tommy Dorsey initially introduced it in A Major, and Bud Powell would also record it in this key. However, many musicians would record it in other keys such as Sinatra in Bb, Hank  Mobley in Ab, and Bill Evans in C to name a few.

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is functional and very much in line with other leading standards of its day. The first A section begins a II - V, although instead of resolving to the tonic it continues with a IIImi7 -  VI7 - IImi7 - V7 which resolves to IMaj7 in the 4th bar. It then  continues with a IIImi7b5 - VI7 - IImi7 which is then followed by a II -  V of bIII which does not resolve. The B section begins on IMaj7 and is  followed by a minor II - V of VI. Instead of resolving to the relative  minor however it continues with a II - V of VMaj7. The harmony then continues with a minor II - V which resolves to VImi before the common progression of a II - V of V which leads to a II - V in the home key.  The second A section begins with a minor II - V of III instead of a II -  V in the home key, and proceeds to make its way back to the tonic with  descending II - V's. The final C section begins similarly to B, only  after the first minor II - V of VI it continues with a II - V of V  before a final II - V returns to the tonic to conclude the form.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 320 times to date. It was first recorded in 1944 by Martha Tilton, and was introduced in the 1945 film Thrill of a Romance by Bob Allen and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. It since went on to be recorded by many of the jazz greats, from Frank Sinatra, Bud Powell, Hank Mobley, and Thelonious Monk to name a few. It continues to be  performed and recorded to this day and remains as an especially popular  standard in the repertoire.

JGC Top Picks:

Bud Powell, 1947

Bill Evans, Bill Evans at Town Hall, 1966

John Abercrombie & John Scofield, Solar, 1982