"Love Is Here To Stay" was composed by George Gershwin for the 1938 film The Goldwyn Follies and is widely considered to be the last song he completed before his untimely death in 1937 at the age of 38. The song was released posthumously.
The tune is a 32-bar AABA form, most commonly played in F major. Among Gershwin's works, it stands out for its exceptional simplicity and melodic grace — the melody flows naturally over gentle diatonic harmony, with the bridge offering a smooth modulation toward the subdominant that adds warmth and sophistication. Typically taken at a ballad or relaxed medium tempo, the song's understated beauty makes it an ideal vehicle for both vocal and instrumental expression.
The duet by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on Ella and Louis (1956), with Oscar Peterson on piano, is the definitive recording — a warm, swinging celebration of the song's romantic spirit. Nat King Cole's smooth vocal version and Diana Krall's modern interpretation are also widely admired.
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