"I'll Be Seeing You" was written by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal in 1938 for the Broadway revue "Right This Way." Though it debuted on stage, the song became most famous through Bing Crosby's 1944 recording during World War II, when its bittersweet message of separation and longing resonated deeply with servicemen and their families. The melody's warm simplicity and the lyric's emotional directness have kept it a standard in the Great American Songbook ever since.
Fain's gift for memorable melody and Kahal's poignant lyrics created a piece that works equally well as a jazz standard, a vocal feature, or a tender instrumental moment. The song's enduring presence in fake books and lead sheets across generations speaks to its fundamental appeal and harmonic sophistication.
