Composer Spotlight: Cole Porter
There’s something special about a Cole Porter song, filled with clever rhymes, memorable lyrics, and sophisticated melodies. Learn more about the life of one of America’s most beloved mid-20th century songwriters and why he was the top.
The sophisticated rhymes and sparkling melodies of Cole Porter’s songs established him as one of America’s most esteemed songwriters, whose work has been interpreted by countless artists over the decades. Born in Peru, Indiana in 1891, Porter served in World War I, embracing the life of a bon vivant and socialite after the war, especially in Paris and Venice, where he honed his distinctive musical style. A true giant of American musical theater, Porter wrote the music and lyrics for more than 30 stage and film productions, captivating audiences with timeless classics like “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Brush Up on Your Shakespeare,” and “Night and Day.” Porter died of kidney failure at age 73 on October 16, 1964.
Some facts:
Yale Years. Porter’s undergraduate years at Yale were one of the richest periods of his life. He sang with the famed “Whiffenpoof” men’s choir and wrote the music and lyrics for student productions, including his first surviving musical The Pot of Gold. In all, Porter composed about 300 songs while studying at Yale, among which were several football fight songs. To this day, the university’s marching band plays Porter’s “Yale Bulldog Song” every time the team scores a touchdown. Unsurprisingly, Porter was voted the most entertaining member of the class of 1913.
A Traumatic Turning Point. In the fall of 1937, 46-year-old Porter suffered a horrific accident while on an equestrian outing in New York.His horse stumbled and collapsed, pinning Porter beneath it and causing compound fractures in both legs. The injuries led to more than 30 operations over the next few decades and the eventual amputation of Porter’s right leg. His social life and creative output came to a halt, and Porter became increasingly dependent on alcohol and painkillers as he struggled with both physical and emotional pain.
Kiss Me, Kate. Porter's greatest triumph came with Kiss Me, Kate (1948), a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The show ran for more than 1,000 performances—a monumental achievement for its time. In his New York Times review, theater critic Brooks Atkinson wrote, “Cole Porter has written his best score in years, together with witty lyrics.” Porter’s musical comedy won the first Tony award for Best Musical in 1949.
Learn more about our upcoming Great American Songbook concert on February 7, 2025.