The composition, in the words of jazz writer, Donald Clarke, is "an object lesson in how to swing at a slow tempo.
In 1963, Mel Torme sang "Li'l Darlin'" with the Basie Band on The Judy Garland Show.
Notable guitarists to record the piece include Joe Pass, Charlie Byrd, George Benson, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell, Howard Alden, George Van Eps and Howard Roberts.
The Basie arrangement without lyrics was often used as the closing theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
[8][9] "Sweetie Pie" – composed and arranged by Don Sebesky and recorded March 1962 as "Easy Chair" on Maynard Ferguson's Maynard '64 (Roulette R-52107) – has been described by its publisher, Sierra Music Publications, as "Li'l Darliln'-ish," owed its similarity as a swing ballad.