Cole Porter in High Society

'High Society' was something that Cole Porter knew all about: born, 1891, into one of the richest families in Indiana, he lived in luxury for all of his life. Porter moved in the top circles of fashionable society, both in the USA and in Europe, where he chose to spend much of his time.

He developed a love-hate relationship with his class, and delighted in poking fun at it in his songs, which are full o0f references to the good life. Champagne, Cartier's, diamonds, yachts, swimming pools, maids, butlers and valets and travel feature time and again in Porter's songs, and the morals (or lack of them) and financial twisting of the 'fortunates' are frequently shown up for what they are.

Like Noel Coward in Britain, Porter was a great favourite at parties and events, where he was always willing to delight with a new song for the occasion, often with very risque, or even personal, lyrics. Today we are used to such satire and biting wit, but early twentieth century American society was not at all sure what to think.

Porter was very mischievous, playing games with the censors, who worked to a list of banned words rather than meanings, and he got away with some of the most outrageous lyrics ever written.

He was, above all else, an intellectual who found those of a slower wit than himself hard to handle. Porter was a perfectionist and grew very angry with himself when his piano skills and stamina dwindled due to constant sever pain resulting from a riding accident in 1937.

Eventually he lost a leg, which greatly affected another facet of his character - his vanity. To Porter, who prided himself on his immaculate appearance (he even wore a reflective collar to ensure that the sun tan under his chin matched his face) this was total disaster. It was only the support of wife Linda that kept him going.

Cole loved to shock and liked to stand out from the crowd. He mostly wore blue, but enjoyed brighter colours too - made-to-measure sports jackets (rarely suits). When one tailor brought him a swatch of bright fabrics (red, blue, orange) to choose from, he announced "I'd like the whole thing - make it out of that!" It became very well known, causing a huge hit wherever he wore it.

Like many sophisticates, Porter liked his 'bit of rough' for relaxation - "I have been told that NBC is cutting all its soap operas - what does the future hold for me?!"

Following Linda's death, Cole moved to California where he mixed with the new 'high society' - the film stars. He threw many large dinner parties and was well loved, despite being forthright with his criticisms of the love-lives of the Hollywood set.

He was, however, well aware that his own bi-sexual lifestyle did not bear close scrutiny and was forever cursing himself for upsetting his devoted Linda, whom he loved dearly.

Cole died in 1964, shortly after his 73rd birthday, a depressed alcoholic. "He was terribly alone at the end," his friends reported, even though he was such a popular celebrity. "He really didn't have anything or anyone he was close to".

(Click on the image to return to the High Society web page.)