Cole Porter
“Birds do it. Bees do it. Even educated fleas do it.
Let’s do it, let’s fall in love.”
— Cole Porter
Everyone was doin’ it in the 1930’s - falling in love
with Cole Porter’s music. Throughout the decade, the
composer beguiled the American public with hits such
as “Night and Day,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,”
“You’re the Top,” and “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.”
Few could match his songwriting abilities and Porter
set new standards, which even today’s composers still
aspire to.
Born in Peru, Indiana in 1891, Porter took an interest
in music at an early age. He began composing in his
teens and continued writing while studying law at
Harvard University.
In 1916, his first musical was performed. The show,
“See America First,” failed to bring in audiences and
closed after only fifteen performances. Undaunted,
Porter began to travel around Europe and settled for a
brief period of time in Paris.
During his days abroad, he contributed to many
musicals including “Hitchy-Koo” and the “Greenwich
Village Follies.” However, it wasn’t until his song
“Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall In Love” appeared in the 1928
musical “Paris,” that he had his first big hit.
Although Porter was influenced by composers such as
George Gershwin, Richard Rogers and Jerome Kern, he
had his own distinct style. His funny lyrics and
catchy melodies struck a chord with the public. Songs
such as “What Is This Thing Called Love,” “I Get A
Kick Out of You,” and “Too Darn Hot,” became instant
hits.
In 1937, Porter was in a horseback riding accident
that crippled him for life. However, he went on to
produce some of his finest work in the 1940s and 50s.
He wrote countless songs for Broadway musicals
including “Anything Goes,” “Silk Stockings”and “Can
Can.” His most successful musical, “Kiss Me Kate.”
opened in 1948 and ran for over one thousand
performances.
Porter spent the final years of his life in seclusion
and died in California in 1964. His legacy continues
to live on in productions of his musicals and in
recordings of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Lena
Horne.
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