"Laura" is a composition by David Raksin, written in 1944 as the theme for Otto Preminger's film noir of the same name. Preminger had originally wanted to use Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" for the score, but Raksin persuaded the director to let him write an original theme instead. Given a single weekend to deliver, Raksin composed the melody in a burst of inspiration reportedly triggered by receiving a farewell letter from his wife. The result was a haunting, serpentine melody that mirrors the film's atmosphere of mystery and obsession, capturing the elusive quality of its titular character. Johnny Mercer added lyrics the following year at the request of the publisher, crafting words that evoke half-remembered sensations and dreamlike imagery. The song quickly entered the popular consciousness, with five versions reaching the pop charts in 1945, including a million-selling recording by Woody Herman and His Orchestra. Its harmonic language, built on chromatic approaches, minor ii-V progressions, and unexpected resolutions, gives improvisers a wealth of material to explore, and the tune became one of the most frequently recorded compositions of its era. "Laura" remains a staple of the jazz repertoire and a landmark in the history of film music, demonstrating how a movie theme can transcend its origins to become an enduring standard.
