Sam Dillon's interpretation of "Everything Happens To Me" on the 2018 album Out in the Open is a poignant ballad performance that showcases his lyrical side. Matt Dennis composed this tune, which became closely associated with Frank Sinatra's early recordings and later with Chet Baker's introspective readings. The 32-bar AABA form in B-flat unfolds at a tender ballad tempo of approximately 64 BPM, creating an intimate setting that demands emotional honesty and melodic restraint. Dillon takes a single, deeply expressive chorus on tenor saxophone, letting the melody breathe and using space as effectively as notes. The ballad tempo reveals the quality of his tone and his ability to phrase with vocal-like nuance. Bassist Yoshi Waki follows with a half-chorus of acoustic bass improvisation, adding a brief but touching postscript to Dillon's statement. The spare arrangement and slow tempo place this track among the most intimate moments on Out in the Open, demonstrating that Dillon is equally compelling at ballad tempo as he is on the album's more energetic performances. The recording is a reminder of how much emotional depth a skilled musician can convey within the simple framework of a well-chosen standard.
