Standards

Like A Lover chords & key

Key: C major
Form: AAB
Bars: 41
Groove: Bossa nova
Time signature: 4/4

“Like A Lover” is a jazz standard by Dori Caymmi-Nelson Motta. It is usually played in C major as a bossa nova, and the 41-bar AAB form has 3 sections. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 17 different chords. In this atlas it appears on 18 album tracks.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — C major

×2

C^maj7

G^7sus

C^maj7

D_/C

B^m7E^m7

A^7susA⁷

D^maj7

G⁷

F^maj7

G_/F

C^maj7

G^7sus

C^maj7

G^7sus

C^maj7F^m6_/C

C^maj7

D_/C

B^m7B^7♭9

E^m7

G♭^m7♭5

B^7♭9

E^m7

A^m7G^m7

D_/G♭

G^7sus

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

Harmonic analysis

0Major ii–V–I

1Minor ii–V–i

3ii–V moves

0Tritone substitutions

0Dominant chains

17Different chords

Most used chords

C^maj7×10
G^7sus×8
D_/C×4
E^m7×4
B^m7×3
A^7sus×2

Recorded on these albums

1969	Soul Song Shirley Scott · “Like a Lover”
1975	I Am Music Carmen McRae · “Like a Lover”
1978	Stolen Moments Mark Murphy · “Like a Lover (O Cantador)”
1980	Late Night Guitar Earl Klugh · “Like a Lover”
1981	Casa Forte Helen Merrill · “Like a Lover”
1987	At Ratso's, Volume 2 Carmen McRae · “Like a Lover”
1988	The Nearness of You Dianne Reeves · “Like a Lover”
1989	Meets Alan & Marilyn Bergman: On My Way to You Greetje Kauffeld · “Like a Lover”
1991	I Remember Dianne Reeves · “Like a Lover”
1994	I Love Brazil! Sarah Vaughan · “Like a Lover”
1996	Stardust Natalie Cole · “Like a Lover”
1999	Casa Forte Helen Merrill · “Like a Lover”
2004	The Best Things Happen Jeff Hamilton · “Like a Lover”
2006	Sarah Vaughan Sings for Lovers Sarah Vaughan · “Like a Lover (O Cantador)”
2007	Surrender (iTunes Exclusive) Jane Monheit
2007	Surrender Jane Monheit
2013	The Changing Lights Stacey Kent · “Like a Lover”
2017	The Island Johnny Mathis · “Like a Lover”

Frequently asked questions

What key is Like A Lover in?

Like A Lover is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.

Who wrote Like A Lover?

Like A Lover was written by Dori Caymmi-Nelson Motta.

What is the form of Like A Lover?

Like A Lover has 3 sections (AAB) with 41 bars in total.

How fast is Like A Lover played?

The usual groove is Bossa nova.

What are the chord changes to Like A Lover?

The opening bars are Cmaj7 | G7sus | Cmaj7 | D/C. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.