I Wanna Be Around: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures the full spectrum of Mercer's artistry in one accessible resource. The piano arrangements support singers and pianists working through standards repertoire, while guitar chords make these classics approachable for players of varying levels. Programming selections from this book alone gives you a coherent concert built on sophisticated songwriting and guaranteed audience recognition.

These songs exhale with the confidence and warmth of mid-century popular music at its finest. Whether you're moving through an intimate ballad or bouncing through a comic novelty number, there's a polish and sophistication beneath the surface that makes Mercer's words feel both timeless and utterly present. The musical landscape shifts constantly across the collection, keeping both performer and listener engaged.

Pianists and vocalists preparing standards repertoire, from intermediate singers building a jazz or pop songbook to more advanced musicians exploring arrangements of American classics. This collection also serves music teachers introducing students to the Great American Songbook and accompanists seeking reliable, singable arrangements with guitar support.

• Study the lyric phrasing alongside the melody line; Mercer's rhythmic positioning of words often sits subtly off the beat, creating naturalness that requires deliberate interpretation.
• Pay attention to how the accompaniment style shifts across the collection. Some pieces work best with sparse, conversational piano voicing while others demand fuller harmonic texture. Let the song's character guide your arrangement choices.
• Use the chord frames as a launching point for reharmonization rather than a fixed prescription. Many of these standards benefit from fresh interpretations that respect Mercer's original melody while exploring the harmonic possibilities he opened.
• Commit to the storytelling in each lyric. Mercer wrote with specificity and humor; singing through the narrative details rather than generic emotion brings these songs to life.

Build a full recital or concert set drawing solely from this songbook, creating a retrospective of American popular song that spans decades and moods. Alternatively, select individual songs to pair with other composers' work when you need standards that land with immediate recognition. The collection's breadth also makes it valuable for studio instructors seeking quality material for singers at various ability levels throughout a season.

• Interpreting syncopated lyric placement and natural speech rhythm in melody
• Reading and applying guitar chord symbols while maintaining vocal line integrity
• Understanding harmonic structures common to American popular standards
• Balancing accompaniment texture to support rather than overshadow the lyric
• Developing interpretive choices within familiar material