Origin:

Introduced in the film Iceland.

Style:

Usually played swung, taken at a wide variety of tempos.

Form:

A-B1-A-B2 (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Arrangements:

The final I - IV - III - VI turnaround is often used as a tag ending.

Key:

Most commonly played in Eb Major.

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is functional and very much in line with other standards of its day. The main theme begins on IMaj7 before a minor II - V to the relative minor; it is not uncommon to hear it  approached as Major instead. The A sections then continue with VImi  before a II - V of IV sets up the following section. The B sections begin on IVMaj7 and continue with bVII7 - IMaj7. B1 proceeds in a  predictable fashion, momentarily staying on II7 before a final II - V  back to the tonic. B2 instead uses a II - V of III which deceptively resolves to the final turnaround of IMaj7 - IV7 - IIImi7 - VI7. The changes have proved to be immensely popular amongst soloists and have  also been used as the basis for compositions such as "Split Kick" by Horace Silver and "Not You Again" by John Scofield.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 420 times to date and is one of the most well-known standards of all time. It was first introduced by Joan Merrill in the 1942 film Iceland, and the first commercial release would come from Sammy Kaye and Nancy  Norman the same year. It continues to be an immensely popular number  amongst instrumentalists and vocalists alike, and countless notable recordings have been made over the years.

JGC Top Picks:

Lester Young, Lester Young With the Oscar Peterson Trio, 1952

George Benson, Live at Casa Caribe, 1973

Woody Shaw, Solid, 1986