A show tune with music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, written for their 1947 Broadway musical Brigadoon. First performed by David Brooks and Marion Bell, it was later featured in the 1954 film version with Gene Kelly in a memorable song-and-dance sequence.
The tune follows a 32-bar AABA form with a buoyant, optimistic melody and straightforward harmony. Typically played at a medium swing tempo, its irresistible rhythmic bounce and singable theme make it a natural fit for both vocal jazz and instrumental interpretations. Three separate versions charted in the U.S. in 1947, led by Frank Sinatra at No. 20.
Nat King Cole's velvety 1953 recording, arranged by Nelson Riddle, became a radio staple and was later used as the closing song in the 1993 film Groundhog Day. In jazz, Lester Young's 1956 session with the Oscar Peterson Trio stands out as a definitive instrumental version.
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The ultimate jazz fake book. A must-have for all gigging musicians.
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