Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Candy" is a sentimental popular song composed by Alex Kramer with lyrics by Mack David and Joan Whitney, published in 1944. The song uses the metaphor of candy to express sweet, uncomplicated romantic devotion, and it quickly became one of the most recorded songs of its era.

The tune follows a standard 32-bar form with a warm, singable melody that sits comfortably in a modest vocal range. Its gentle harmonic movement and straightforward structure make it an ideal vehicle for intimate vocal performances, though jazz musicians have also found it rewarding as an instrumental piece. The melody's unassuming charm lends itself to diverse treatments, from lush ballad readings to relaxed medium-swing and bossa nova arrangements.

The original 1945 recording by Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford, and the Pied Pipers on Capitol reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart. In the jazz world, Lee Morgan's trumpet rendition on his album Candy (Blue Note, 1958) stands as a beloved interpretation, showcasing the song's melodic beauty through warm, lyrical brass playing.