Standards

Too Marvelous For Words chords & key

Key: G major
Form: AABA
Bars: 32
Groove: Medium swing
Time signature: 4/4

“Too Marvelous For Words” is a jazz standard by Richard Whiting. Most bands play it in G major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 5 major ii–V–I cadences, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres G major and C major. In this atlas it appears on 24 album tracks.

Chord changes

to key

Showing in: Concert (C) — G major

A^m7

D⁷

A^m7

D⁷

G^maj7

C^7♯11

B^m7

E^m7

B^maj7F♯⁷

B⁶

D^m7

G⁷

D^m7

G⁷

C^maj7

F⁷

E^m7A⁷

A^m7D⁷

A^m7

D⁷

G^maj7F⁷

E^7♭9

A^m7

F⁷

A^m7D⁷

G⁶

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

Harmonic analysis

5Major ii–V–I

0Minor ii–V–i

10ii–V moves

3Tritone substitutions

0Dominant chains

16Different chords

Most used chords

A^m7×8
D⁷×7
G^maj7×3
F⁷×3
C^7♯11×2
E^m7×2

Key centres reached by ii–V

G major and C major

Characteristics

AABA song form

Recorded on these albums

1951	Music Minus One, Vol. 2: A Rhythm Background Record for Any Musician or Vocalist Don Abney, Jimmy Raney & Oscar Pettiford · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1951	Presenting Jimmy Raney Jimmy Raney · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1955	The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume 1 Jay Jay Johnson · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1956	Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! Frank Sinatra · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1956	Lady Sings the Blues Billie Holiday · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1956	Buddy Rich Sings Johnny Mercer Buddy Rich
1956	Braff!! Ruby Braff · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1956	Ruby Braff Ruby Braff · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1956	Plectrist Billy Bauer · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1957	Konitz Meets Mulligan Lee Konitz · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1958	Las Vegas Prima Style Louis Prima · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1958	Jimmy Raney Visits Paris Jimmy Raney
1959	Reunion In Rhythm Frankie Laine & Michel Legrand · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1959	Stan Getz Quartets Stan Getz · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1960	Clap Hands! Here Comes Rosie! Rosemary Clooney · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1963	Soul Summit, Vol. 2 Gene Ammons, Etta Jones, Jack McDuff · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1965	Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book Ella Fitzgerald · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1974	Marian Remembers Teddi Marian McPartland, Teddi King
1978	The Reunion George Shearing Trio And Stephane Grappelli · “Too Marvellous For Words”
1978	Paul Desmond Paul Desmond
1979	That Old Feeling Rita Reys with Pim Jacobs Trio · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1981	Casa Forte Helen Merrill · “Too Marvelous for Words”
1987	The Song Is You Greetje Kauffeld · “Too Marvellous for Words”
1990	Romance: The Vocal Styling of Oscar Peterson Oscar Peterson · “Too Marvelous for Words”

Historic 78 rpm recordings

TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS Harry James and his Orchestra · Buddy Moreno · Mercer · Whiting archive.org ↗
TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS LESTER YOUNG QUARTET · Lester Young · Buddy Rich · Ray Brown · Hank… · 1953 archive.org ↗

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

Title	Composer	Key	Form	Groove
I've Got The World On A String 26%	Harold Arlen	F major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
When You're Smilin' 26%	Shay - Fisher - Goodwin	B♭ major	AB · 32	Medium swing
The Blue Room 24%	Richard Rodgers	F major	AABC · 32	Medium swing
Falling In Love With Love 24%	Richard Rodgers	B♭ major	AA · 64	Jazz waltz
The Lamp Is Low 24%	DeRose-Shefter	C major	AABC · 34	Medium swing
My Baby Just Cares For Me 22%	Walter Donaldson	A major	ABCD · 32	Medium swing
September In The Rain 22%	Harry Warren	E♭ major	AABA · 32	Medium swing
What A Difference A Day Made 22%	Maria Grever	F major	AB · 32	Ballad

Frequently asked questions

What key is Too Marvelous For Words in?

Too Marvelous For Words is usually played in G major. For B♭ instruments that is A major, for E♭ instruments E major.

Who wrote Too Marvelous For Words?

Too Marvelous For Words was written by Richard Whiting.

What is the form of Too Marvelous For Words?

Too Marvelous For Words has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.

How fast is Too Marvelous For Words played?

The usual groove is Medium swing.

What are the chord changes to Too Marvelous For Words?

The opening bars are Am7 | D7 | Am7 | D7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.