Composer

:

Harold Arlen

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1954

Average_duration

:

2:05

"Here's What I'm Here For" is a jazz standard composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was written for the 1952 film "The Jazz Singer," which starred Danny Thomas and Peggy Lee. The film was a remake of the 1927 film of the same name, which was the first feature-length motion picture with synchronized sound. The song was first performed by Peggy Lee in the film, and it quickly became a popular jazz standard. The song has a slow, bluesy tempo, and it is characterized by its melancholy melody and introspective lyrics. The song is often performed as a ballad, with a singer accompanied by a small jazz ensemble. "Here's What I'm Here For" is a three-movement song, with each movement building on the previous one. The first movement is a slow, mournful introduction, with the singer reflecting on their purpose in life. The second movement is more upbeat, with the singer expressing their desire to find love and happiness. The final movement is a return to the slow, introspective mood of the first movement, with the singer acknowledging that they may never find what they are looking for, but they will continue to search. The song is notable for its use of extended chords and chromaticism, which give it a sophisticated and complex harmonic structure. The melody is also notable for its use of bluesy inflections and subtle variations, which give it a sense of emotional depth and complexity. "Here's What I'm Here For" premiered in the 1952 film "The Jazz Singer," and it has since been recorded by numerous jazz musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday. The song remains a popular jazz standard, and it is often performed in jazz clubs and at jazz festivals around the world.

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