Cole Porter (1891–1964) stands as one of the most elegant and inventive songwriters in the History of American popular music.  Known for his sparkling wit, urbane lyrics, and harmonically rich melodies, Porter helped define the sound of Broadway and Hollywood from the 1920s through the 1950s.

Born into a wealthy Indiana family, Porter received a privileged education that included classical training in composition at Yale and later at the Paris Schola Cantorum.  This background gave his music a cosmopolitan polish unusual among American songwriters of the period.  Porter infused his work with European sensibilities—sophisticated rhyme schemes, playful innuendo, and melodic complexity—while still creating songs that resonated widely with American audiences.

Porter’s breakthrough came in the late 1920s, but it was the 1930s and 1940s that solidified his reputation.  His Broadway scores—“Anything Goes,” “Kiss Me, Kate,” “Gay Divorce,” and “Can‑Can,” among others—produced a stream of enduring standards.  His songs, including “Night and Day,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “You’re the Top,” showcased his unmatched lyrical cleverness and his ability to blend romance, humor, and sophistication into seamless musical storytelling.

Remarkably, Porter continued writing at a high level even after a devastating horseback accident in 1937 left him with chronic pain for the rest of his life.  His resilience culminated in his 1948 masterpiece “Kiss Me, Kate,” which won the first-ever Tony Award for Best Musical.

Cole Porter’s work endures because it transcends its era.  His songs combine polished craft with emotional nuance, bridging the worlds of high society, Broadway glamour, and universal human sentiment.  Today, his catalog remains a cornerstone of jazz interpretations, cabaret performances, and American musical theater.

Porter’s legacy is one of elegance, wit, and timeless musical charm—a body of work that continues to enchant listeners with its sophistication and sparkle.

a)    You’re the Top.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6oGytt0Hiw

b)    I Get a Kick Out of You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T6SG0t9jfQ

c)     Begin the Beguine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYHXTJxoZqo

d)    You Do Something to Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHh3BUR7tbM

e)    Just One of Those Things

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNfAraQhQxM

f)      All Through the Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq_O7mtLero

g)    So, in Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-58NdVNLss