I Love Being Here With You: E-Z Play Today

This E-Z Play arrangement brings Lee's warm, conversational approach to piano without oversimplifying the harmonic language underneath. Students get direct access to how a jazz vocalist thinks about accompaniment: spacious, supportive, and deeply attentive to the lyric's emotional arc.

Warm and inviting, with the easiness of a late-night conversation. The song sits in a pocket where restraint reads as confidence, and every note Lee leaves unplayed feels as intentional as those she includes.

Piano students exploring jazz standards and singer-pianists preparing to accompany vocalists. This arrangement makes a strong addition to repertoire for intermediate players developing taste in pop and jazz styles.

• Let the vocal melody breathe by pulling back slightly on the comping rhythm in verses; the piece gains energy when you add movement in the final chorus
• Listen to how the bass line anchors each harmonic change rather than playing the left hand mechanically; think of it as a conversation partner for the right hand
• Shape the bridge section with a gradual dynamic lift, treating it as the emotional peak before returning to the intimacy of the main melody

Feature this as a standalone jazz standard in a cabaret or pops concert, or pair it with other Peggy Lee compositions to build a thematic set. It works equally well as a rehearsal piano solo or as an accompaniment vehicle for a vocalist in your ensemble.

• comping patterns in jazz voicings
• dynamic shaping and phrase breathing
• left-hand independence in ballad accompaniment
• interpreting lyrical content through instrumental color