I’ve Never Been In Love Before

“I’ve Never Been In Love Before” is a song composed by Frank Loesser for the 1950 Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. In the musical, the song is performed by the character Sky Masterson, who sings about his first experience of falling in love. The musical’s success helped the song gain popularity among jazz musicians.

This song follows the AABA structure, with a melody line that focuses heavily on expressing the lyrics. The melody is highly lyrical and expressive, with a distinctive harmonic structure. Each section has different harmonic progressions, and the bridge, in particular, showcases an emotional shift through harmonic transitions.

To perform this song effectively, it is crucial to capture the lyrical feel and romantic theme. While faithfully following the melody line, it’s important to infuse personal emotion into the performance, maintaining a good balance with the rhythm section. Special attention should be given to the harmonic changes in the bridge. During the solo section, incorporating free interpretation while staying true to the original melody and harmony is recommended. Additionally, maintaining consistent emotional expression throughout the performance is essential.