You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It) (from Broadway Melody of 1938): E-Z Play Today

This E-Z Play arrangement captures a tune with real swagger and character, giving students access to a piece that demands personality without getting bogged down in complexity. The song's straightforward harmonic vocabulary and memorable melody make it ideal for beginners learning how to inhabit a style rather than just hit the notes.

Charming and slightly tongue in cheek, with the irresistible pull of a song that knows its own appeal. The melody has warmth and a conversational quality, as if someone is leaning in to confess something they didn't think would happen but now can't deny.

Student pianists developing jazz and standard repertoire, especially those learning to add stylistic nuance to their playing. Works equally well for hobbyists rediscovering the Great American Songbook.

• Lean into the rubato in the opening phrases; this isn't a metronomic piece, and Jolson's influence means the tune expects some rhythmic give and take.
• Balance the left hand lightly so the melody sings through without competition; the accompaniment supports rather than anchors.
• Let the humor come through in the character of the song. The title itself announces the comedic setup, so find the warmth and charm rather than playing it straight.

Feature this in a jazz standards or American songbook unit for intermediate pianists, or pair it with other Broadway tunes from the same era for a unit on early cinema musicals. It works nicely as a recital piece that gives students permission to be expressive without requiring virtuosity.

• Phrasing and interpretation within jazz and pop idioms
• Rubato and rhythmic flexibility
• Balance between melody and accompaniment in jazz voicings
• Understanding era-specific performance conventions in American song