All of me

All of Me is one of the most famous and most performed jazz standards of all time. It was written in 1931 by Gerald Marks (music) and Seymour Simons (lyrics). (Note: It is often mistakenly attributed to Cole Porter, but he did not write this song.)

The song is a heartfelt ballad about total love and surrender — the singer offers „all of me“ to the person they love, even after being hurt. The lyrics are simple but emotionally powerful, which is one of the reasons for its enduring popularity.

In Gypsy Jazz / Manouche repertoire:
„All of Me“ is an absolute classic and one of the most played standards in gypsy jazz. Django Reinhardt recorded it several times, most notably in 1947 and 1953. His versions are deeply emotional and belong among the highlights of his later career.

Musical character:
It is usually played as a medium-tempo ballad or light swing. The melody is very strong and singable, and the chord progression is excellent for improvisation. In manouche style it is often performed with a beautiful balance between melancholy and swing.

Interesting facts:

• One of the most recorded songs in jazz history — interpreted by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and countless others.
• Django Reinhardt’s later recordings of „All of Me“ (especially from the 1950s) show a more mature, expressive side of his playing.
• It is a favorite tune at gypsy jazz jam sessions worldwide because almost everyone knows it and it works beautifully in a small group setting.
• The song’s emotional depth makes it ideal for practicing expressive soloing, dynamics, and chord-melody playing.

„All of Me“ is a true evergreen — simple, powerful, and timeless. It perfectly demonstrates why certain standards have survived for nearly a century.