Composer

:

Michel Legrand

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Waltz

Compose Date

:

1954

Average_duration

:

4:27

Once Upon a Summertime is a jazz standard composed by Michel Legrand in 1959. The song was first recorded by Legrand himself and later became a hit for several artists, including Blossom Dearie, Sarah Vaughan, and Johnny Mathis. The song is characterized by its dreamy and romantic melody, which is played by a jazz quartet consisting of piano, bass, drums, and guitar. The melody is simple and catchy, with a wistful quality that captures the feeling of a lazy summer day. The song is divided into two main sections, each with its own distinct melody. The first section is slow and contemplative, with a gentle rhythm that evokes the feeling of a warm summer breeze. The second section is more upbeat and lively, with a swinging rhythm that suggests the carefree joy of summer. The song's lyrics, written by Johnny Mercer, tell the story of a summer romance that has come to an end. The narrator remembers the happy times they shared together, but now that summer is over, they must say goodbye. The lyrics are bittersweet and nostalgic, capturing the fleeting nature of summer love. Once Upon a Summertime premiered in 1959 and quickly became a jazz standard. The song has been covered by countless artists over the years, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Its enduring appeal lies in its simple yet evocative melody and its timeless message of love and loss.

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