Sam Cooke

But Not For Me

But Not For Me is a transcription from Sam Cooke's great RCA Victor 1961 album 'My Kind of Blues'. Sammy Lowe wrote the original arrangement and conducted the studio orchestra. The Gershwins wrote the music and lyrics and Sammy Lowe used a much-simplified set of chord changes for the chart, giving it a real R&B flavour. The feel is really 12:8 and this is emphasised by the Guitar almost all of the way through the chart. After a short four measure ensemble intro the first half of the first vocal chorus is just vocal and rhythm section. The band joins in the fun in the second half with a series of muted sustains leading to a dramatic lift into the final eight measures of the chorus. The band backings become much more rhythmic for the last half-chorus, further emphasising the 12:8 feel, with a final four measure 'on-the-beat' rising phrase to close. We have notated Sam Cooke's vocal part 'as sung' and the vocal key is G. There are no sax doubles. Sam Cooke's vocal range also makes this chart suitable for a female alto voice.