Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"You Go To My Head" was composed by J. Fred Coots in 1938. Though Coots was a prolific Tin Pan Alley songwriter with over 700 songs to his name, this piece stands out as what critic Alec Wilder called a "minor masterpiece," distinguished by its unusually sophisticated harmonic language.

The form is AABA with an unusual ten-bar coda, typically performed in E-flat major. While the tune opens in the major key, from the second bar onward the harmony gravitates toward the minor mode, creating a feverish, intoxicating atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the lyrics' theme of romantic obsession. The melody features a notably high number of repeated notes, yet the rich chromatic movement beneath it creates constant harmonic tension. The extended coda conveys a sense of resigned closure, making the song a rewarding challenge for both vocalists and improvisers.

Billie Holiday's 1938 recording with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra is among the earliest and most celebrated jazz renditions. Frank Sinatra's version on Nice 'n' Easy (1960) became the definitive vocal treatment, while Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond's 1952 rendition at Storyville showcases the tune's instrumental potential.