Final answer:
Cole Porter was unique among his contemporaries for his talent in writing both music and lyrics for his compositions, providing iconic works such as Anything Goes and the cowboy song Don't Fence Me In.
Step-by-step explanation:
What was unique about Cole Porter compared to other composers is his ability to write both the music and lyrics for his compositions, a skill that few of his contemporaries mastered. Many composers of the day either primarily focused on composing the melodies or writing the lyrics, relying on collaborators to complete the other half of the work. In a time when the American musical theatre was flourishing during challenging periods such as the Great Depression and World War II, Cole Porter provided a welcome distraction with his catchy tunes in hits such as Anything Goes, which featured songs like "I Get a Kick Out of You," and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow." Further showcasing his versatility, Porter even took a poem and turned it into the popular cowboy song, "Don't Fence Me In." His ability to both compose music and write lyrics put him ahead of many in the field and allowed him to create an enduring legacy in the world of music.