Like Someone in Love — Chord Changes & Harmonic Analysis
- Composer:
- Jimmy Van Heusen
- Year:
- 1944
- Key:
- C major
- Form:
- ABAC (32 bars)
- Style:
- Ballad
- Tempo:
- 90–160 BPM
Jimmy Van Heusen ballad with a memorable melody. Features interesting harmonic turns and is beloved by vocalists and instrumentalists.
About This Standard
Composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke for the 1944 film Belle of the Yukon, Like Someone in Love became a beloved jazz ballad. It is particularly associated with Chet Baker, whose tender interpretations captured the tune's dreamy, floating quality. Bill Evans also recorded it beautifully, emphasizing its harmonic lushness.
Notable recordings:
- Bing Crosby — (1944 original)
- Chet Baker — (various recordings, considered the definitive jazz version)
- Bill Evans — (various recordings)
Chord Changes
Notation
Harmonic Analysis
Like Someone in Love is a 32-bar AABA ballad typically in F major with warm, chromatic harmony. The A sections drift through F major with extended chords and secondary dominants that create a floating, dreamy quality. A key feature is the unexpected chromatic chord movement in the A section that resolves unexpectedly — giving the tune its slightly dizzy, in-love quality. The bridge provides contrast before returning home. Its lush, impressionistic character suits piano solo and trio settings particularly well.