“From the Start” is a song by Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey, released in 2023 on her album Bewitched. Its bossa nova-inspired groove, jazzy chord changes and playful lyric about an unspoken crush made it a viral hit and introduced a new generation to jazz-flavored songwriting.
The song uses a light bossa nova groove with chord progressions borrowed from the jazz standard tradition: ii-V movement, major seventh chords and secondary dominants. The melody is catchy and conversational, with a breezy, upbeat feel.
For improvisation, use the major scale of the key and outline the ii-Vs with guide tones. Keep phrasing light and rhythmic, matching the bossa feel with straight eighth notes. Short, singable ideas work best.
Practice with a bossa nova groove. Learn the melody by ear from Laufey’s recording, then try it on your instrument.
Section by section: the verses move through jazzy chord changes with a bossa groove, so use light, rhythmic phrases and guide tones. The chorus brightens, so lift your energy and register. In any instrumental break, quote the catchy melody and add your own variations. Laufey’s vocal phrasing is relaxed and playful, a great model for instrumentalists.
Practice tip: learn the song by ear, then try playing it in a traditional jazz combo style with swing or bossa. It’s a fun way to connect modern pop with classic jazz harmony.
Practice checklist for the From the Start Lead Sheet PDF: play the melody from memory, play roots through the form, play guide tones, improvise one chorus of chord tones only, and finally record yourself soloing over a play-along. Listening back is the fastest way to spot what to fix next.
Is it hard to play? It’s beginner to intermediate and a great modern tune for young jazz players. Recordings to study: Laufey’s Bewitched. Learn more about the artist on Laufey’s Wikipedia page, and find more bossa-flavored lead sheets on Minedit.