Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" was written in 1964 by the English songwriting team of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. The prolific duo also created "Feeling Good," "Goldfinger," and the songs for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

The song is a 32-bar ballad typically played in C major. Its melody is straightforward yet deeply affecting, building from a quiet, almost conversational opening to an emotionally charged climax. The lyric explores the universal vulnerability of feeling alone and unwanted, and the wide melodic range demands considerable vocal control. While harmonically less complex than many jazz standards, the song's emotional directness and singable melody have made it a favorite among jazz vocalists.

The hit recording by Tony Bennett in 1964 reached number 33 on the U.S. pop chart and helped propel the musical to Broadway success. Bennett performed the song throughout his career until his retirement in 2021. Jazz pianist David Hazeltine's trio version on his 2005 album Modern Standards offers a refined instrumental interpretation.