It's Bad for Me (from "Nymph Errant"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This volume captures Porter at his most prolific and inventive, gathering 50 songs that shaped popular music between the wars. The accompanying analysis and historical images ground each song in its theatrical and cultural moment, making this resource invaluable for singers preparing these pieces with authentic understanding. Programming any of these standards signals sophistication and gives your vocalists access to music that has outlasted its own era.

Porter's melodies are sophisticated yet singable, often surprising you with unexpected harmonic turns that feel both inevitable and clever. The songs glide between wit and romance, with lyrics that sparkle and harmonies that reward close listening. Whether brisk and comedic or lush and romantic, each piece carries the elegance of Broadway's golden age.

Vocalists preparing jazz standards, music theater repertoire, or art song recitals will find this collection essential. Pianists accompanying singers benefit from the chord symbols and the opportunity to explore Porter's harmonic language across multiple songs. Directors assembling cabaret programs or concert sets centered on Great American Songbook material will return to these arrangements repeatedly.

• Study the lyrical phrasing carefully; Porter's rhyme schemes and word choices often guide the musical phrasing in unexpected ways.
• Pay attention to harmonic movement rather than melody alone. Porter's chord changes are sophisticated and shape the emotional arc of each song.
• Use the chord symbols to explore different voicings at the piano, adapting them to your accompaniment style while respecting the song's harmonic foundation.
• Reference the historical context and original staging information to inform interpretive choices about tempo, character, and emotional tone.

These pieces work beautifully in recital contexts, either as individual selections or grouped thematically. Consider pairing multiple Porter standards to showcase the range of his compositional voice, or weave individual songs into broader programs celebrating American musical theater. The historical notes and imagery make this particularly rich for educational concert presentations or lecture-recitals exploring early 20th-century popular song.

• Navigating sophisticated harmonic progressions and jazz-influenced chord changes
• Coordinating vocal phrasing with piano accompaniment in songs with complex lyrical rhythm
• Understanding the relationship between lyrical content and musical interpretation in musical theater
• Reading and performing from lead sheet notation with chord symbols