Standards · 1948
Lush Life chords & key
“Lush Life” is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn from 1948. Most bands play it in D♭ major, ballad; the tune runs 40 bars in AB form. Harmonically it contains 3 major ii–V–I cadences and 2 minor ii–V–i, uses 36 different chords and moves between the key centres F minor, E major, D major and C major. In this atlas it appears on 8 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — D♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- D♭maj7×13
- D7♯11×10
- B9×6
- Fm7×6
- Fm6×6
- D♭6×5
Key centres reached by ii–V
F minor, E major, D major and C major
History
"Lush Life" is a jazz standard that was written by Billy Strayhorn between 1933 and 1936. It was performed publicly for the first time by Strayhorn and vocalist Kay Davis with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on November 13, 1948. Jazz critic Ted Gioia says the song "ranks among the most sophisticated jazz ballads—whether one considers its intricate harmonic palette, its elaborate structure, or just its world-weary lyrics."
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Recorded on these albums
Frequently asked questions
What key is Lush Life in?
Lush Life is usually played in D♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is E♭ major, for E♭ instruments B♭ major.
Who wrote Lush Life?
Lush Life was written by Billy Strayhorn (1948).
What is the form of Lush Life?
Lush Life has 2 sections (AB) with 40 bars in total.
How fast is Lush Life played?
The usual groove is Ballad.
What are the chord changes to Lush Life?
The opening bars are Db6 B9 | Dbmaj7 B9 | Dbmaj7 B9 | Db Ebm7 Fm7 Gbm7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.