Lush Life (jazz song)

"Lush Life" is a jazz standard that was written by Billy Strayhorn between 1933 and 1936. It was performed publicly for the first time by Strayhorn and vocalist Kay Davis with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on November 13, 1948. Jazz critic Ted Gioia says the song "ranks among the most sophisticated jazz ballads—whether one considers its intricate harmonic palette, its elaborate structure, or just its world-weary lyrics."