GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

good morning heartache was composed by Ervin Drake, Dan Fisher, and Irene Higginbotham in 1946. Its soulful melody and rich harmonic texture have made it a signature jazz ballad.

The first recording was by Billie Holiday in New York City in 1946, capturing the song’s intimate, emotive quality. The tune uses a 32-bar AABA form with subtle chromaticism, allowing expressive phrasing and improvisation.

Later performances by vocalists such as Diana Krall emphasized its melancholy and reflective mood. Lyrically, it explores the recurring presence of sorrow and heartache in daily life, offering depth for interpretive expression.