But Beautiful

Jimmy Van-Heusen tune from 1947, “But Beautiful” played on my Ed Schaefer 16” hollowbody and Standel 82L15 amp. “But Beautiful” is a classic popular song and jazz standard composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke, first published in 1947.  It was one of five songs written by the duo for the Paramount Pictures film Road to Rio (1947), where it was introduced by Bing Crosby in a scene associated with his co-star Dorothy Lamour.   The song became a hit the following year, charting in multiple versions: Frank Sinatra’s recording reached No. 14 on the Billboard charts, Crosby’s hit No. 20, Margaret Whiting’s peaked at No. 21, and Art Lund’s version made it to No. 25.   Typically performed as a slow, emotive ballad, “But Beautiful” explores themes of love’s complexities—its joys, sorrows, wisdom, and folly—through poignant lyrics like “Love is funny or it’s sad / Or it’s quiet or it’s mad / It’s a good thing or it’s bad / But beautiful.” The song follows an A-B1-A-B2 musical form and was originally written in the key of G major, though artists have recorded it in various keys, including F major (Sinatra’s later versions), C major (Bill Evans and Stan Getz), D major (Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga), B-flat major (Billie Holiday), and E major (Nat King Cole).  As part of the Great American Songbook, it has become a staple in jazz repertoires, with hundreds of recordings by vocalists and instrumentalists alike. Notable versions include Billie Holiday’s heartfelt 1952 take, Nat King Cole’s smooth rendition, Stan Getz’s saxophone interpretation with Bill Evans on piano (from their 1964 album), Chick Corea’s piano solo in the original G major key, and a modern duet by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on their 2021 album Love for Sale.  The song’s enduring appeal lies in its lyrical depth and melodic elegance, making it a favorite for expressing the bittersweet nature of romance.