We Shall Never Be Younger (from "Kiss Me Kate"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures Porter at his absolute peak, assembling the complete score of his 1948 Tony Award-winning masterpiece alongside fascinating historical context and production photographs that bring the show to life. Pianists and singers gain access to a survey of Porter's genius across every style he mastered: sassy comedic numbers, lush romantic ballads, and rhythmically intricate novelty songs that still surprise performers and audiences alike. The inclusion of two unused numbers and a personal remembrance from the original Kate makes this more than a songbook; it's a window into how one of Broadway's greatest successes actually came together.

Porter's music radiates charm, intelligence, and theatrical flair. Some moments sparkle with comedy and rapid-fire wordplay; others open into sweeping romantic declarations supported by rich, surprising harmonic progressions. The entire collection pulses with the energy and glamour of mid-century Broadway, inviting you into a world of sophisticated humor, elegant melody, and the particular joy of a show that never takes itself too seriously.

This collection serves pianists accompanying singers in auditions, studio sessions, and performances, as well as solo pianists exploring Broadway repertoire at an intermediate to advanced level. Music students studying the history and craft of mid-twentieth-century American musical theater will find both the songs and the contextual essays invaluable. Directors programming concert selections from classic Broadway shows or preparing singers for roles in Kiss Me, Kate revivals will rely on this as their essential reference.

• Study Porter's syncopation and rhythmic displacement in songs like "Too Darn Hot" and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare." These comedic numbers require precision in both your accompaniment and your phrasing to land their jokes.
• Balance the vulnerability in romantic songs such as "So in Love" and "Were Thine That Special Face." Porter's harmonies are lush but never cloying; trust the sophistication of the chords rather than oversinging.
• Use the historical context provided in the book to inform your interpretation. Understanding the show's structure and character arcs helps you shape transitions between contrasting numbers and maintain dramatic coherence in longer sets.

Feature individual songs as standalone recital pieces, mixing them with other American standards or contemporary music to demonstrate the range of Porter's writing. In a Broadway-themed concert, sequence numbers to mirror the show's emotional arc and comedic timing. Use the collection as a resource for teaching song interpretation: the variety of styles and characters provides excellent material for exploring how composers and lyricists shape personality and intention through music.

• Reading and performing piano/vocal arrangements with chord symbols
• Interpreting sophisticated harmonic language and jazz-influenced chord progressions
• Balancing accompaniment texture with vocal line in varied styles (comedic, lyrical, rhythmic)
• Understanding character voice and dramatic intention in musical theater song selection
• Collaborating with singers as an accompanist across multiple genres and tempos