THE GOOD LIFE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"The Good Life" was composed by Sacha Distel with original French lyrics by Jean Broussolle and published in 1962 as "La Belle Vie." The first recording appeared in France the same year, performed by Distel.

The English-language version gained wider attention through Tony Bennett’s 1963 New York recording, which became one of his signature songs. The lyrics reflect a cool, bittersweet independence, while the melody follows a sophisticated 32-bar structure with smooth harmonic movement, lending itself naturally to jazz-inflected interpretations.