"At Long Last Love" was written by Cole Porter (1891–1964) for his 1938 Broadway musical You Never Know. One of the great American songwriters, Porter was celebrated for his sophisticated lyrics and elegant melodies, and this tune is a quintessential example of his artistry.
The song is a 32-bar AABA form, usually played in B♭ major. The lyrics consist entirely of witty questions—a hallmark of Porter's cleverness—and the melody mirrors this playful quality with chromatic twists and turns. The A sections feature a harmonically rich progression with chromatic inner-voice movement, while the bridge shifts the tonal center to add further color. The interplay of a light swing feel and urbane harmony makes the tune rewarding for both vocalists and instrumentalists, offering ample room for creative improvisation.
Among the best-known recordings is Frank Sinatra's swinging rendition on his 1957 album A Swingin' Affair!. On the instrumental side, guitarist Grant Green and other jazz artists have delivered memorable interpretations of this Porter classic.
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