Origin:

Copyrighted in 1943 as “I Need You So”, first recorded by Cootie Williams' Orchestra in 1944.

Style:

A brooding minor tune with an after-hours aesthetic, almost always performed as a ballad.

Form:

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

Arrangements:

The intro that has become synonymous with the tune is courtesy of Dizzy Gillespie. It originates from an earlier arrangement of his from a 1945  recording of "I Can't Get Started". A coda is used to finish off the piece, and it is also courtesy of Dizzy Gillespie.

Key:

Eb minor

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is functional and revolves primarily around  II - V's, although it modulates frequently with a brisk harmonic rhythm. The harmony has seen many alterations and reharmonizations through generations past, so it is well worth listening to Monk’s many surviving recordings in order to gain insight into the composer's own conception of the tune.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 880 times to date. Cootie Williams recorded it first in 1944 with his orchestra, and he used the addition of an interlude to add his name as a composer. It has since become one of the most recorded jazz songs of all time and many legendary recordings have  been made from the likes of giants such as Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis,  and Dexter Gordon to name a few. It has been recorded and performed by virtually every formidable jazz musician at some point in their career and it continues to be one of the most popular ballads in the  repertoire.

JGC Top Picks:

Joe Henderson, Joe Henderson in Japan, 1973

Kurt Rosenwinkel, East Coast Love Affair, 1996

Konitz/Mehldau/Haden, Alone Together, 1997