Side By Side

"Side By Side" is a catchy song from 1927 written by Harry Woods. Woods was a well-known songwriter from New York City's famed Tin Pan Alley, who wrote many famous songs throughout his career, including "When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along" and "I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover," both of which are featured in Music K-8 (Vol. 32, No. 4 and Vol. 35, No. 4, respectively). "Side By Side" became an instant standard after its release and has been recorded dozens and dozens of times over the past nearly 100 years.

Our 3-part mixed arrangement of "Side By Side" has two treble parts and a part in the bass clef that works well with boys' voices that have changed or are in the process of changing, and girls with a lower range. We used the original melody, but with slightly altered lyrics. This is a great song for your advanced choirs when you use it as a 3-part mixed arrangement. You could also perform it in unison if you prefer to do it with younger groups. Included with the several web extras, there is a track that has the full orchestra plus parts 2 and 3. That way, your unison choir could sing along with the other parts. We have created a unison version and isolated rehearsal tracks for parts 2 and 3 as well. And for a little extra challenge, there is an a cappella version that is fun for listening or learning.

This is definitely a song that calls for an exuberant, energetic performance. And since it swings, that makes for a great opportunity to discuss that concept with your singers as well.

Dancing side by side, too! - If you really want to make this a showstopper, consider adding some steps! Our choreographer, Melissa Schott, has given us some terrific ideas to employ, either as she presents them, or adapted however works best for you. On our web site, you will find her free video and a PDF of teaching notes.