Only Wanna Be With You (arr. Alan Billingsley): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the infectious optimism of the original while crafting writing that sounds grateful to sing. Two-part voicing keeps the focus on blend and phrasing rather than harmonic complexity, making this accessible for developing ensembles without sacrificing the song's genuine warmth.

The piece radiates the kind of earnest affection that made the original resonate so broadly. Singing it should feel like sharing something genuine with an audience, not performing nostalgia. There's a lightness to it, but the writing respects the emotional core of the song.

Choir directors seeking music that bridges popular repertoire with serious choral technique will find this arrangement offers both accessibility and substance. It works equally well for middle school ensembles building foundational skills and high school choirs wanting contemporary material that feels genuine rather than watered down.

• Balance the melody across both parts so the song's emotional core remains clear; neither voice should dominate the line.
• Find the conversational quality in the phrasing by listening to how the original recording shapes the melodic contours rather than singing it metrically.
• Let the arrangement's simplicity work for you by investing in clean vowel sounds and consistent breath management, which will make the piece sing.
• Pay attention to the moments where the two parts interact, as these create the harmonic interest that distinguishes the arrangement from the original.

This arrangement pairs naturally with other 1990s pop and rock repertoire, or it can stand alone as the contemporary moment in a concert mixing styles and eras. Consider it for spring concerts, pops concerts, or informal performance settings where audience connection matters as much as technical display.

• Blend and balance in two-part writing
• Phrasing in pop and rock styles
• Connecting emotional intention to vocal technique
• Reading chord-driven harmonic structures