What Now My Love (Et Maintenant) - Gilbert Becaud

[Keith88]

"What Now My Love" is a popular ballad of the 1960s and 1970s by French composer Gilbert Bécaud (originally "Et Maintenant" = "What Now"). He recorded it with a tat rat-tat-tat tat rhythm reminiscent of Ravel's "Bolero." Shirley Bassey had a hit in 1967 with a similar presentation. There are many performances on YouTube, including eminently forgettable ones by Sonny & Cher and Elvis, and others, similar to Bassey's, by Judy Garland and Patti Page. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass did an up tempo latin recording (sounds like a samba) and Petula Clark did a light rock performance which are both worth listening to. The lyrics are plaintive; the singer asking what will happen to him "now that it's over" with a message of great sadness. In contrast, Frank Sinatra does a ring-a-ding ironic performance in which he seems more relieved than sad at the end of things. Jack Jones's delivery is even more blatant, giving a dismissive wave as he says goodbye!

The tune itself is of some interest. It is a 32-bar form, but not the typical AABA or ABAC. Rather it is AAB (8, 8, 16 bars) with a modified A with tag after the last chorus. The B section has two chains around the cycle of fifths and is fun to improvise over.

I like doing this tune as a bounce, 130 bpm with either a Swing Two/Four or a Ballad Swing style. I prefer these to Medium Swing which has a heavier feel. The new Doo Doo Cats style also works. I'm a pianist and only use bass and drums so your approach may be different.

A lead sheet for the tune can be found in The Ultimate Fake Book published by Hal Leonard.

What Now My Love - Gilbert Becaud

[angeloski]

Et mainenantKEROURIO with End - gilbert bécaud

[pdxdjazz]

Et mainenantKEROURIO with End - gilbert bécaud

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)BOB

[CyrilleB]

Et Maintenant (What Now, My Love?) - Gilbert Becaud