I'LL FOLLOW MY SECRET HEART - Free Jazz Leadsheet
Composed by Noël Coward in 1930, "i'll follow my secret heart" was first performed in London’s West End and recorded by Coward himself. The song’s intimate lyricism and flowing melody quickly established it as a favorite among cabaret and jazz vocalists.
The lyrics describe personal desire and quiet determination in love, delivered with elegance and nuance. Musically, it features a gentle harmonic progression supporting expressive melodic lines and room for improvisation.
Later recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Short, and cabaret artists have kept the piece in active performance, celebrated for its sophistication and lyrical subtlety.