Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This comprehensive collection captures Mercer's range across nearly five decades of songwriting. The arrangements preserve the harmonic sophistication of the originals while remaining accessible for pianists and vocalists working through these classics. Programming multiple Mercer standards from a single, well-curated source makes it easy to build a cohesive concert program or to trace his evolving approach to melody, prosody, and storytelling.

These songs embody the golden age of American songwriting, where clever wordplay meets genuine emotional resonance. From the playful bounce of 'Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive' to the intimate vulnerability of 'One for My Baby,' the collection swings, whispers, and soars with the unmistakable warmth of a master lyricist at work.

This collection serves singers and pianists preparing for recitals, auditions, or educational performances of American standards. It is equally valuable for voice teachers building a repertoire library and for guitar players looking to accompany vocalists through Mercer's catalog. Music theater students and jazz singers will find essential material for understanding American songwriting craft.

• Study the lyric phrasing carefully before diving into the melody. Mercer's lyrics dictate natural breath points and phrase shapes that the vocal line should follow, not fight against.
• Pay close attention to the harmonic movement, particularly in songs like 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Moon River' where jazz reharmonization offers interpretive choices. Let the chord voicings guide your accompaniment texture.
• Balance legibility with style when reading the chord frames. Guitar players should experiment with inversions and comping patterns that support the vocalist rather than compete with the piano part.
• Take time with the ballads. Many of these songs reveal their emotional depth only when given room to breathe; rushing the harmonic changes flattens the storytelling.

Build a recital around Mercer's collaborations with different composers, showcasing how his lyrical approach shifted with each partnership. Program selections chronologically to illustrate his stylistic evolution, or group them thematically (novelty songs, film ballads, jazz standards) to create a focused concert narrative. This volume also serves as a primary resource for voice studios focusing on standard repertoire and American song history.

• Interpreting lyric-driven phrasing and breath placement
• Reading and voicing jazz chord changes and alterations
• Understanding formal song structure (AABA, ABAC) through analysis of classic American standards
• Balancing vocal melody with piano and guitar accompaniment
• Developing interpretive choices based on harmonic and lyrical context