I SHOULD CARE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"i should care" was composed by Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, and Sammy Cahn in 1944, originally recorded by Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl's Orchestra. The song became a defining ballad of the era, appreciated for its lyrical depth and elegant harmonic framework.

The lyrics reflect introspection and regret in love, delivered with a poignant, understated style. Musically, it follows a 32-bar form with smooth chord changes, offering ample space for expressive phrasing and improvisation in jazz and pop contexts.

Later recordings by Nat King Cole, Chet Baker, and Ella Fitzgerald ensured its continued presence in both vocal and instrumental jazz repertoires, highlighting its timeless emotional resonance.