GHOST OF A CHANCE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

ghost of a chance was composed by Victor Young with lyrics by Ned Washington and Bing Crosby in 1932. Its understated harmonic palette and lyrical flow make it a favorite ballad in both jazz and popular music repertoires.

The first recording was by Bing Crosby in Los Angeles in 1932, highlighting the song’s introspective mood and warm melodic contour. The tune follows a 32-bar AABA structure that supports both vocal expression and instrumental improvisation.

Subsequent interpretations by Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald have reinforced its status. Lyrically, it explores romantic doubt and hope, allowing performers to convey subtle emotional nuance.