BLUES IN THE NIGHT - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"blues in the night" is a jazz and pop standard written in 1941 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Its memorable melody and dramatic lyrics have made it a staple in both vocal and instrumental repertoires.

The first recordings emphasized the song's narrative quality with expressive phrasing. Subsequent versions by jazz and pop performers have explored its tension between melancholy and sophistication.

The piece conveys longing and emotional struggle. Structurally, it combines lyrical verses with opportunities for improvisation over moderate swing or ballad tempos.