Cole Porter
Cole Porter
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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The full name of this renowned American composer and songwriter is Cole Albert Porter. He was also commonly known as Cole Porter.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on June 9, 1893, in Peru, Indiana.
Passed away on October 10, 1964, at the age of 71, due to complications from kidney failure and cerebral hemorrhage while traveling by train in Chestertown, Maryland.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Cole Porter was an American composer, songwriter, and playwright. His musical style is often characterized as jazz-influenced, and his lyrics are known for their wit, sophistication, and clever wordplay.
Early Life and Background
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Cole Albert Porter was born to George Frederick Porter and Kate Cole Porter in Peru, Indiana. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in a wealthy family that valued education and the arts. Porter's early life was marked by a strong interest in music, which he developed through piano lessons from his parents' personal tutor.
When Cole was 6 years old, his family moved to Indianapolis, where he attended the Broad Ripple High School. During this time, he began composing music for school productions and eventually formed a songwriting partnership with his friend, Ralph Rainger.
In 1913, Porter entered Yale University as a member of the class of 1915. However, he left college after two years to pursue a career in music. This decision was largely influenced by his desire to establish himself as a professional composer and songwriter.
Major Accomplishments
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Cole Porter's most significant contributions to the world of music include:
Creating iconic musicals: Porter is best known for composing the music and lyrics for several Broadway shows, including "Anything Goes," "Kiss Me Kate," and "Can-Can." These productions are still widely performed today and have become classics in American theater.
Innovative songwriting style: Porter's unique blend of jazz, classical, and popular music influences helped shape the sound of American musicals in the 20th century. His songs often featured complex melodies, witty lyrics, and a sophisticated sense of humor.
Collaborations with esteemed artists: Throughout his career, Porter collaborated with some of the most talented performers and directors of his time, including Ethel Merman, Fred Astaire, and Irving Berlin.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Cole Porter's most notable works include:
"Anything Goes" (1934) - a musical comedy that features classic songs like "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow."
"Kiss Me Kate" (1948) - a romantic comedy with music that spoofs the style of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." The show features memorable songs like "Too Darn Hot," "Why Can't You Behave?," and "So in Love."
"Can-Can" (1953) - a musical extravaganza set in 18th-century Paris, with music that includes "It's All the Same to Me," "Sibyl," and "The Color of Broadway."
Impact and Legacy
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Cole Porter's impact on American music and theater is immeasurable. His innovative compositions and collaborations have influenced generations of songwriters and composers.
Porter's work continues to be performed, recorded, and celebrated worldwide. His legacy extends beyond the world of entertainment, as his music has become a cultural touchstone for sophistication, wit, and style.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Cole Porter is widely quoted and remembered due to several factors:
Timeless lyrics: Porter's witty and clever lyrics continue to delight audiences with their humor, wordplay, and insight into the human experience.
Innovative music: His unique blend of jazz, classical, and popular music influences helped shape the sound of American musicals in the 20th century.
* Iconic songs: Porter's compositions have become synonymous with elegance, sophistication, and style. Songs like "Anything Goes," "I Get a Kick Out of You," and "So in Love" are instantly recognizable and continue to inspire new generations of musicians and performers.
In conclusion, Cole Porter was a true original, whose innovative compositions, clever lyrics, and collaborations have left an indelible mark on the world of American music and theater. His legacy continues to inspire, delight, and entertain audiences around the globe.
Quotes by Cole Porter
But I'm always true to you, darlin' in my fashion, / Yes I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way.
Birds do it, bees do it, / Even educated fleas do it, / Let's do it, let's fall in love. / The ancient Romans and Greeks did it / Even nice young men who sell antiques do it, / Let's do it, let's fall in love.
Take some skins, / Jazz begins, / Take a bass / Steady pace, / Take a box, / One that rocks, / Take a blue horn New Orleans-born. / Take a stick / With a lick, / Take a bone, / Dixie-grown, / Take a spot, / Cool and hot, / Now you has jazz jazz jazz, jazz, jazz.
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, / Don't fence me in. / I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences. / Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses, / Can't look at hobbles and I can't stand fences, / Don't fence me in.
Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, / Don't fence me in. / Let me ride through the wide-open country that I love, / Don't fence me in.
We open in Venice, / We next play Verona, / Then on to Cremona. / Lotsa laughs in Cremona.
I get awful gloomy / You mean, very gloomy / Very gloomy, now and then, in this town / 'Cause it's always so hard / To find a real pard / Who'll play in your yard / When you're down / But since the talk, you and me / I mean, you and I have had / I've got a good friend, I see / Well, I'm not so very bad
When our love was a tune that we couldn't soon forget / As I kiss your cheek, we don't have to speak / The violins, like a choir, express the desire / We used to know not long ago.
Here am I with you in a world of blue / And we're dancing to the tango we loved when first we met / While the music plays, we recall the days.