Standards

I Could Write A Book chords & key

Key: C major
Form: ABAC
Bars: 32
Groove: Medium swing
Time signature: 4/4

“I Could Write A Book” is a jazz standard by Richard Rodgers. Most bands play it in C major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in ABAC form. Harmonically it contains 6 major ii–V–I cadences and 7 minor ii–V–i, uses 18 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, D minor, A minor, E minor and F minor. In this atlas it appears on 2 album tracks.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — C major

C^maj7A^m7

D^m7G⁷

C^maj7A^m7

D^m7G⁷

C^maj7D^m7

E^m7A^7♯9

D^m7

B^m7♭5E^7♭9

A^m7

A♭⁷G⁷

G♭^m7♭5B^7♭9

E^m7A⁷

A^m7

D⁷

D^m7

G⁷

C^maj7A^m7

D^m7G⁷

C^maj7A^m7

D^m7G⁷

C^maj7D^m7

E^m7A^7♯9

D^m7

B^m7♭5E^7♭9

A^m7

A♭⁷

G^m7♭5C^7♭9

F^maj7B♭⁷

E^m7A⁷

D^m7G⁷

C⁶

D^m7G⁷

Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.

Harmonic analysis

6Major ii–V–I

7Minor ii–V–i

16ii–V moves

2Tritone substitutions

0Dominant chains

18Different chords

Most used chords

D^m7×11
G⁷×8
A^m7×7
C^maj7×6
E^m7×4
A^7♯9×2

Key centres reached by ii–V

C major, D minor, A minor, E minor and F minor

Characteristics

ABAC song form

Recorded on these albums

1956	Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book Ella Fitzgerald · “I Could Write a Book”
1976	Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs Tony Bennett · “I Could Write a Book”

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

Title	Composer	Key	Form	Groove
Too Young To Go Steady 34%	Jimmy McHugh	F major	AABA · 32	Ballad
In Love In Vain 33%	Leo Robin Jerome Kern	B♭ major	ABAC · 32	Medium swing
Deed I Do 32%	Hirsch-Rose	C major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
The Masquerade Is Over 31%	Allie Wrubel	E♭ major	AAB · 44	Ballad
The Lady is a Tramp 30%	Richard Rodgers	C major	AABC · 48	Medium swing
What A Little Moonlight Can Do 29%	Harry Woods	G major	ABCD · 64	Up-tempo swing
Why Do I Love You? 29%	Jerome Kern	A♭ major	AA · 32	Medium swing
Days Of Wine And Roses 28%	Henry Mancini	F major	ABAC · 32	Medium swing

Frequently asked questions

What key is I Could Write A Book in?

I Could Write A Book is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.

Who wrote I Could Write A Book?

I Could Write A Book was written by Richard Rodgers.

What is the form of I Could Write A Book?

I Could Write A Book has 4 sections (ABAC) with 32 bars in total.

How fast is I Could Write A Book played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to I Could Write A Book?

The opening bars are Cmaj7 Am7 | Dm7 G7 | Cmaj7 Am7 | Dm7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.