It Had to Be You was composed by Isham Jones with lyrics by Gus Kahn in 1924. The song was first recorded by Jones and his orchestra and quickly became one of the most popular songs of the decade, establishing itself as a cornerstone of the Great American Songbook. The melody is warm and flowing, built on a sturdy harmonic foundation that moves through a series of satisfying chord changes well suited to jazz improvisation. Its AABA form and singable phrases have made it a favorite of vocalists and instrumentalists alike for over a century. The song has appeared in numerous films and has been recorded by a vast array of artists including Ruth Etting, whose early rendition helped popularize it, as well as later versions by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Betty Carter. Its cultural visibility was renewed significantly through the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally, where it served as a thematic centerpiece. On AllSolos, the tune is featured via Harry Connick Jr.'s solo piano performance from the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack, a recording that earned Connick widespread recognition and a Grammy Award. His arrangement brings a youthful swing sensibility to the classic standard while preserving the melodic elegance of Jones's original composition.
