BESAME MUCHO - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"Bésame Mucho" was written in 1940 by Mexican composer Consuelo Velázquez when she was only sixteen. The title means “Kiss Me a Lot,” and its sensual lyrics and romantic melody quickly captured global audiences. The song became a bolero standard and one of the most recorded Mexican songs of all time.

The first famous recording was made by Emilio Tuero in 1941, followed by worldwide hits from The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Cesaria Evora. Musically, the piece is in a minor key with a slow, swaying rhythm typical of the bolero style, blending Latin passion with classical harmonic elegance. Its lyrics express longing and the fear of separation, themes that make it timeless and universally relatable. The song’s rich melodic line has made it a favorite for both jazz improvisers and vocalists alike.