Here's to Life

Here's to Life
Studio album by
Released1992
RecordedSeptember 1991
GenreVocal jazz
LabelVerve
ProducerJohnny Mandel
Shirley Horn chronology
You Won't Forget Me
(1991)
Here's to Life
(1992)
Light Out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)
(1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

Here's to Life is a 1992 studio album by Shirley Horn, arranged by Johnny Mandel (also the composer of three of the songs on the album), who received a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) on this album.

The title track "Here's to Life" became Horn's signature song. The music was written by Artie Butler and the poignant lyrics were written by Phyllis Molinary. The lyric is known, world-wide, as one of her finest works and the song is considered a "modern day jazz standard."

"If You Love Me" is her interpretation of the passionate "Hymne à l'amour", made famous by Edith Piaf.

"Summer" is the first English version of the Italian standard "Estate". Horn ordered English lyrics after hearing Joao Gilberto's version, which spread the song's worldwide fame.