“Pure Imagination” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, where Gene Wilder sang it. Its dreamy melody has made it a favorite for jazz musicians, singers and cover artists, and it’s frequently used in film, TV and advertising.
The tune is often played in Eb major in a gentle 3/4 or slow 4/4 feel. Its harmony moves through lush major seventh chords, secondary dominants and a few surprising shifts that create its sense of wonder. The melody rises and falls in long phrases, with an almost lullaby quality. Many jazz versions reharmonize it with extended chords to emphasize the magical mood.
For improvisation, focus on color and space. Use Lydian sounds over the major seventh chords for a floating effect, and highlight the secondary dominants with their thirds. Keep your phrases lyrical and leave plenty of room; this is a tune about atmosphere. Paraphrasing the melody with small embellishments is often more effective than fast runs.
Practice by learning the melody from the film version, then playing it slowly with sustained voicings. Pianists should practice rich voicings with ninths and thirteenths. Horn players should practice soft, warm long tones to match the mood.
Transposing tip: vocalists often perform it in different keys, so know it in at least two.
Ear training with the Pure Imagination Lead Sheet PDF: before reading along, listen to two different recordings and try to hear where each section starts. Then follow the lead sheet while listening. Connecting what you see to what you hear is how lead sheets turn into tunes you truly know.
Is it hard to play? It’s beginner to intermediate; the challenge is creating atmosphere, not the notes. Recordings to study: Gene Wilder’s original and jazz versions by pianists and vocalists. Learn more about the songwriter on Leslie Bricusse’s Wikipedia page, and find more film-song lead sheets on Minedit.