I LOVE YOU FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS - Free Jazz Leadsheet

Composed by William Best and Deek Watson in 1945, "i love you for sentimental reasons" is known for its warm, melodic charm. The first popular recording was by the Nat King Cole Trio, which established the song as a staple of romantic ballads in the postwar era.

The lyrics celebrate a gentle, heartfelt devotion, emphasizing nostalgia and intimate affection. Musically, the song follows a clear AABA structure with subtle harmonic shifts that allow for both lyrical phrasing and expressive improvisation.

Subsequent notable recordings by Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald, and numerous jazz vocalists have cemented its place as a timeless romantic standard.