Published in 1953, it is a conventional 32-bar song with four 8-bar sections, including a bridge ("Type A" or "AABA" song structure).[2] Typically performed as a ballad, it has an aria-like melody that is a challenge to many vocalists;[3] in the key of C, the song's melody extends from G below middle C to the second D above middle C.
History
The song originated in 1947 under the title "Music from Beyond the Moon", with music by Guy B. Wood and lyrics by Jack Lawrence.[1] Vocalist Vic Damone recorded this version in the same year and released it as a B-side to "I'll Always Be In Love With You" (Mercury 5072),[4] but it was unsuccessful. In 1952, Robert Mellin wrote a new title and lyrics for the song, and it was republished the next year as “My One and Only Love”.[5]
Jazz standard
When Frank Sinatra recorded it in 1953 with Nelson Riddle, first released as B-side to his hit single "I've Got the World on a String" (Capitol 2505),[6] it became known as a jazz standard.[5] Then popular saxophonist Charlie Ventura saw the song's "jazz potential" and recorded the first instrumental version in the very same year.[1]
^Meeder, C. (2012). Jazz: The Basics. Taylor & Francis. ISBN9781135887124. Chapter 1, Fundamentals, "Form".
^Sinatra, N. (1986). Frank Sinatra, My Father. Pocket Books. ISBN9780671625085. p. 102. Quote: "This song is perhaps the most difficult popular song to sing. The intervals are extremely tricky…"
^ abRuppli, M. Novitsky, E. (1993). The Mercury Labels: A Discography. Volume 1: The 1945-1956 Era. The Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN9780313290312. p. 51.
^ abFriedwald, W. (2017). The Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums. Pantheon Books. ISBN9780307379078. p. 167.
^ abSilva, L. (2000). Put Your Dreams Away: A Frank Sinatra Discography. Greenwood Press. ISBN9780313310553. p. 207.
^"'Love Song' Schuur Bet for Jazzy Singer". Milwaukee Sentinel. April 23, 1993. "On "Love Song," which will be released May 11 in the United States, Schuur creates a variety of moods..."