A Lot Of Livin' To Do: Piano Vocal

This song carries the swagger and optimism of mid-century Broadway at its best. The harmonic language feels jazz-inflected without being precious, and the melodic contour sits naturally for singers across a range of vocal types. Directors choose it because it works equally well as a showcase piece or as part of a larger program, and because audiences respond to its infectious energy every single time.

Youthful and full of possibility, with a rhythmic lift that makes you want to move. The harmonic sophistication beneath the cheerful surface gives it real substance. You're in the company of someone optimistic and clever, someone ready to seize the moment.

Singers preparing for auditions, jazz vocal students exploring Broadway repertoire, and programs looking for a solo that works in concert settings or as part of a musical theater revue. The song suits performers with some vocal experience and an ear for jazz phrasing.

• Treat the piano part as a full conversation partner rather than accompaniment. The rhythmic figure and harmonic movement deserve clarity, especially in the verses where the voice and piano move independently.
• Find the swagger in the lyrics without oversinging. The character of this song lives in the conversational rhythm and phrasing, not in volume or dramatic gestures.
• Lock the tempo early and keep it steady. The syncopation throughout works only when the underlying pulse feels absolutely grounded.
• Distinguish between the verse sections and any section changes by adjusting dynamic approach rather than tempo. Let the song breathe without losing momentum.

This fits naturally into a jazz vocal recital, a Broadway cabaret program, or a concert exploring mid-century American song. It also serves well as an audition selection for vocal students, particularly those working on solo performance and character interpretation. Consider pairing it with other Adams material or contrasting jazz standards to build a compelling set.

• Jazz phrasing and rhythmic flexibility within a steady pulse
• Handling syncopated melody against a moving harmonic foundation
• Character interpretation and conversational delivery in a comic song
• Sight-reading a piano/vocal score with independent voice and accompaniment parts
• Sustaining energy and narrative momentum in a medium-length solo