Wake Up and Dream (from "Wake Up and Dream"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures Porter at his most inventive, pulling 50 songs from his early career when he was establishing the harmonic and lyrical language that would define American popular song. The accompanying analysis, archival images, and historical context transform the sheet music into a primary source for understanding how Broadway standards were born and performed. Pianists and singers gain not just great material but also insight into the craft decisions behind some of the most enduring melodies ever written.

These songs embody the glamour and sophistication of 1920s-30s Broadway and Paris; they sparkle with wit, swing with ease, and seduce through elegant harmony. Whether sardonic ("Miss Otis Regrets"), romantic ("Easy to Love"), or playful ("Let's Do It"), the collection radiates the confidence of a composer who understood both craft and charm.

This resource serves pianists and singers preparing audition material, jazz musicians building their standards repertoire, and musical theater performers who want to understand these songs in their original context. It also supports music educators teaching American song literature, giving students access to original documents and historical documentation alongside the music itself.

• Pay close attention to Porter's chord substitutions and chromatic movements; they often carry the emotional weight beneath a deceptively simple melody line.
• Use the song analysis provided in the book to understand Porter's lyrical intent, which directly shapes phrasing and dynamic choices.
• Reference the rare images of original sheet music to spot performance details (tempo markings, articulations) that modern editions sometimes overlook.
• Approach the rhythm with precision; Porter's melodies depend on clean, clear rhythm to land their wit and elegance.

Program a single Porter song as a sophisticated solo in a recital, or use the book to build an entire evening around his work. The historical material makes it ideal for lecture-recitals exploring American musical theater. Voice teachers can assign individual songs from the collection to students at intermediate and advanced levels, using the archival images and analysis as teaching tools.

• Reading and interpreting advanced jazz harmony and chromatic voice leading
• Performing with idiomatic swing rhythm and phrasing in the American song tradition
• Understanding the relationship between lyrical content and melodic shape
• Sight-reading across vocal melody lines with piano accompaniment in theater context
• Building stylistic awareness of 1920s-30s Broadway performance practice