What Have I Done To Deserve This?: Lead Sheet / Fake Book

This lead sheet captures a pop standard with genuine harmonic sophistication beneath its radio-friendly surface. The vocal melody sits comfortably for singers across a range of voices, while the chord changes reward keyboard players who understand how to voice extensions and interpret jazz-influenced harmony in a pop context.

Polished and introspective, the song balances a dance-floor sensibility with genuine emotional weight. The production clarity of the original translates into a lead sheet that feels both modern and timeless, inviting both intimate solo performance and fuller ensemble arrangements.

Vocalists who need pop repertoire that sits well on the voice without requiring extreme range demands. Keyboard players building their jazz and pop comping vocabulary will find clear harmonic language to interpret and embellish.

• Locate the song's key moments where the melody sits above or below the expected range, then rehearse those transitions to ensure smooth execution without strain
• Work through the comping rhythm section with your accompanist or backing track to nail the pocket, since the song's appeal hinges on steady groove rather than rubato phrasing
• Consider the vocal character of the original recording; this duet benefits from distinct timbral colors between the two singers, so encourage different interpretive choices if your performers match that texture

Include this in a pop or contemporary music concert where it complements other 1980s and 1990s material. The two-page format makes it ideal as a standalone feature or as part of a vocal recital where students explore how commercial songwriting intersects with classical technique.

• Reading lead sheet notation and interpreting chord symbols in a pop context
• Voicing seventh and extended chords on keyboard in real time
• Crafting vocal phrasing that honors both melodic shape and emotional content
• Accompanying a singer while maintaining rhythmic pocket and harmonic accuracy