"Easy to Love" (originally titled "You'd Be So Easy to Love") is a romantic ballad written by Cole Porter for the 1936 MGM film Born to Dance, where it was sung by James Stewart and Eleanor Powell. The song was originally composed for the 1934 Broadway musical Anything Goes, but was cut when the lead actor found its wide vocal range too demanding. Porter reworked it for the screen, and it became one of his most enduring standards.
Set in B-flat major with a 32-bar ABAC form, the tune exemplifies Porter's gift for elegant, singable melody. The A sections glide through smooth ii-V-I progressions, with an ascending melodic line that captures the exhilaration of falling in love. The B and C sections introduce harmonic variety, building to a satisfying climax in the final eight bars. The prevailing warmth of the major tonality and the clarity of the harmonic architecture make it an accessible standard for players at all levels, while still offering enough depth for sophisticated reharmonization and improvisation.
Billie Holiday's 1936 recording with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra is a classic early version. Ella Fitzgerald's rendition on her Cole Porter Songbook album showcases the melody's vocal appeal, while Chet Baker's instrumental interpretation demonstrates its equal effectiveness as a vehicle for lyrical horn playing.
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