Standards
Bess You Is My Woman chords & key
“Bess You Is My Woman” is a jazz standard by George Gershwin. It is usually played in B♭ major as a ballad, and the 46-bar ABBC form has 4 sections. Harmonically it contains 3 major ii–V–I cadences and 5 minor ii–V–i, uses 50 different chords and moves between the key centres B♭ major, D minor, F♯ minor and B♭ minor. In this atlas it appears on 2 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- D6×6
- A7×5
- D6/A×5
- Gm7×4
- Em7♭5×4
- B♭6×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
B♭ major, D minor, F♯ minor and B♭ minor
Recorded on these albums
| 1978 | Porgy and Bess George Gershwin; Clamma Dale, Donnie Ray Albert, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, John DeMain · “"Bess, you is my woman"” |
| 1989 | Porgy & Bess Ray Charles & Cleo Laine · “Bess, You Is My Woman” |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Bess You Is My Woman in?
Bess You Is My Woman is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.
Who wrote Bess You Is My Woman?
Bess You Is My Woman was written by George Gershwin.
What is the form of Bess You Is My Woman?
Bess You Is My Woman has 4 sections (ABBC) with 46 bars in total.
How fast is Bess You Is My Woman played?
The usual groove is Ballad.
What are the chord changes to Bess You Is My Woman?
The opening bars are Bb6 Gm7 | Cm7 F7#9 | Bbmaj7 Bb7 | Ebmaj7 Ab7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.