As Time Goes By

“As Time Goes By” was composed by Herman Hupfeld in 1931 and is best known for its performance by Dooley Wilson in the 1942 film Casablanca. After being featured as the theme song in the movie, it became a worldwide hit and has since been performed by many jazz musicians. The song captures the emotions of love and nostalgia, conveying a message about the enduring nature of true love over time.

The piece is characterized by its flowing melody and rich emotional content, making it one of the most iconic jazz standards. It falls under the ballad genre and follows a 32-bar AABA structure. The opening line, “You must remember this…,” accompanied by the memorable melody, is particularly famous. While the harmony is not overly complex, the song demands a deep interpretation and expressive performance to convey its subtle emotions.

When performing this song, emotional expression is key. It can be helpful to recall scenes from Casablanca and interpret the song’s emotions accordingly, projecting them into your performance. The rhythm section should maintain a simple and unobtrusive approach, allowing the melody’s emotions to shine through. In the solo sections, focus on capturing the song’s theme and emotion, emphasizing its lyrical and sentimental qualities. Adjusting dynamics to match the song’s mood and delicately expressing its emotional nuances are essential for a successful performance.