Harold Arlen (born Hyman Arluck; February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music, who composed over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide. In addition to composing the songs for the 1939 film '' The Wizard of Oz'' (lyrics by

Yip Harburg Edgar Yipsel Harburg (born Isidore Hochberg; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981) was an American popular song lyricist and librettist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" ( ...

), including " Over the Rainbow", Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the

Great American Songbook The Great American Songbook is the loosely defined canon of significant early-20th-century American jazz standards, popular songs, and show tunes. Definition According to the Great American Songbook Foundation: The "Great American Songbook" i ...

. "Over the Rainbow" was voted the 20th century's No. 1 song by the RIAA and the NEA.

Life and career

Arlen was born in

Buffalo, New York Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York (behind only New York City) and the seat of Erie County. It is at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, and is across the Canadian border from Sou ...

, the child of a

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

cantor A cantor or chanter is a person who leads people in singing or sometimes in prayer. In formal Jewish worship, a cantor is a person who sings solo verses or passages to which the choir or congregation responds. In Judaism, a cantor sings and lead ...

. His twin brother died the next day. He learned to play the piano as a youth, and formed a band as a young man. He achieved some local success as a pianist and singer before moving to New York City in his early twenties, where he worked as an accompanist in vaudeville and changed his name to Harold Arlen. Between 1926 and about 1934, Arlen appeared occasionally as a band vocalist on records by The Buffalodians,

Red Nichols Ernest Loring "Red" Nichols (May 8, 1905 – June 28, 1965) was an American jazz cornetist, composer, and jazz bandleader. Biography Early life and career Nichols was born in Ogden, Utah, United States. His father was a college music profes ...

, Joe Venuti,

Leo Reisman Leo F. Reisman (October 11, 1897 – December 18, 1961) was an American violinist and bandleader in the 1920s and 1930s. Born and reared in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, he was of Jewish ancestry; from German immigrants who immigrated to th ...

, and

Eddie Duchin Edwin Frank Duchin (April 1, 1909 – February 9, 1951), commonly known as Eddy Duchin or alternatively Eddie Duchin, was an American jazz pianist and bandleader during the 1930s and 1940s. Early career Duchin was born on April 1, 1909 in Cambri ...

, usually singing his own compositions. In 1929, Arlen composed his first well-known song: " Get Happy" (with lyrics by

Ted Koehler Ted L. Koehler (July 14, 1894 – January 17, 1973) was an American lyricist. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. Life and career Koehler was born in 1894 in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver, but w ...

). Throughout the early and mid-1930s, Arlen and Koehler wrote shows for the

Cotton Club The Cotton Club was a New York City nightclub from 1923 to 1940. It was located on 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue (1923–1936), then briefly in the midtown Theater District (1936–1940).Elizabeth Winter"Cotton Club of Harlem (1923- )" Blac ...

, a popular

Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and Central Park North on the south. The greater Ha ...

night club, as well as for

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

musicals and Hollywood films. Arlen and Koehler's partnership resulted in a number of hit songs, including the familiar standards "

Let's Fall in Love "Let's Fall in Love" is a song written by Harold Arlen (music) and Ted Koehler (lyrics) for the film '' Let's Fall in Love'' and published in 1933. In the film, it is heard during the opening credits and later sung by Art Jarrett and chorus, a ...

" and " Stormy Weather". Arlen continued to perform as a pianist and vocalist with some success, most notably on records with

's society dance orchestra. In the mid-1930s, Arlen married, and spent increasing time in California, writing for movie musicals. It was at this time that he began working with lyricist E. Y. "Yip" Harburg. In 1938, the team was hired by

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 ...

to compose songs for '' The Wizard of Oz'', the most famous of which is " Over the Rainbow", for which they won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song. They also wrote "

Down with Love ''Down with Love'' is a 2003 American romantic comedy film directed by Peyton Reed. It stars Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor and is a pastiche of the early-1960s American "no-sex sex comedies", such as '' Pillow Talk'' and '' Lover Come Back ...

" (featured in the 1937 Broadway show ''

Hooray for What! ''Hooray for What!'' is an anti-warConnema, Richar''Hooray for What!'' is a Hilarious Send-up of America Talkin' Broadway Regional News & reviews: San Francisco, undated but presumably November 2004 when 42nd Street Moon Productions performed the ...

''), "

Lydia the Tattooed Lady "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady" is a 1939 song written by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen. It first appeared in the Marx Brothers movie '' At the Circus'' (1939) and became one of Groucho Marx's signature tunes. It subsequently appeared in the movie '' Th ...

", for Groucho Marx in ''

At the Circus ''At the Circus'' is a 1939 comedy film starring the Marx Brothers (Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx and Chico Marx) released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in which they help save a circus from bankruptcy. The film contains Groucho Marx's classic rendition of ...

'' in 1939, and "

Happiness is a Thing Called Joe "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe" is a song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Yip Harburg, it was written for the 1943 film musical '' Cabin in the Sky'', recorded by the MGM Studio Orchestra and sung by Ethel Waters. The song was no ...

", for

Ethel Waters Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American singer and actress. Waters frequently performed jazz, swing, and pop music on the Broadway stage and in concerts. She began her career in the 1920s singing blues. Her no ...

in the 1943 movie '' Cabin in the Sky''. Arlen was a longtime friend and onetime roommate of actor Ray Bolger, who starred in ''The Wizard of Oz''. In the 1940s, he teamed up with lyricist Johnny Mercer, and continued to write hit songs like " Blues in the Night", " Out of this World", "

That Old Black Magic "That Old Black Magic" is a 1942 popular song written by Harold Arlen (music), with the lyrics by Johnny Mercer. They wrote it for the 1942 film '' Star Spangled Rhythm'', when it was sung by Johnny Johnston and danced by Vera Zorina. The song ...

", "

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" is a popular song which was published in 1944. The music was written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was nominated for the "Academy Award for Best Original Song" at the 18th Academy Awa ...

", "

Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" is a popular song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was first introduced in 1946 in the musical '' St. Louis Woman''. In the musical, the song was sung by a female character of easy virtu ...

", "

Come Rain or Come Shine "Come Rain or Come Shine" is a popular music song, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was written for the Broadway musical '' St. Louis Woman'', which opened on March 30, 1946, and closed after 113 performances. Chart perf ...

" and "

One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)" is a hit song written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the movie musical '' The Sky's the Limit'' (1943) and first performed in the film by Fred Astaire. Background Harold Arlen described the so ...

". Arlen composed two of the defining songs of

Judy Garland Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...

's career: "Over the Rainbow" and "

The Man That Got Away "The Man that Got Away" is a torch song, published in 1953 and written for the 1954 version of the film '' A Star Is Born.'' The music was written by Harold Arlen, and the lyrics by Ira Gershwin. In 1954, it was nominated for the Academy Award ...

", the last written for the 1954 version of the film '' A Star Is Born''. At her famous 1961 Carnegie Hall concert, after finishing a set of his songs, Garland acknowledged Arlen in the audience and invited him to receive an ovation. Arlen recorded his debut album as a vocalist, ''

Harold Sings Arlen (With Friend) ''Harold Sings Arlen (With Friend)'' is a 1966 vocal album by the composer Harold Arlen with arrangements by Peter Matz. Arlen is accompanied on two songs by Barbra Streisand. This was Arlen's only album on which he performed as a singer. Chris ...

'', in 1966.

Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand (; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment, and is among the few performers awar ...

accompanied him on two songs.

Marriage and death

Arlen and

Anya Taranda Anya Taranda (January 1, 1915 – March 9, 1970) was an American model (person), model, showgirl, actress and wife of composer Harold Arlen. Biography Born in New York City to Catholic Russian parents, Anya Taranda became a John Robert Powers, ...

married on January 6, 1937, over the objection of their parents, because she was a

Gentile Gentile () is a word that usually means "someone who is not a Jew". Other groups that claim Israelite heritage, notably Mormons, sometimes use the term ''gentile'' to describe outsiders. More rarely, the term is generally used as a synonym fo ...

and he was

Jew Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""T ...

ish. In 1951, Anya was institutionalized for seven years and died from a brain tumor in 1970. Arlen never remarried and died of cancer on April 23, 1986, at his Manhattan apartment at the age of eighty-one. Arlen is buried next to his wife at the

Ferncliff Cemetery Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum is located at 280 Secor Road in the hamlet of Hartsdale, town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, United States, about north of Midtown Manhattan. It was founded in 1902, and is non-sectarian. Fernc ...

Hartsdale, New York Hartsdale is a hamlet located in the town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 5,293 at the 2010 census. It is a suburb of New York City. History Hartsdale, a CDP/hamlet/post-office in the town of Green ...

. After Arlen's death,

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; yi, ישראל ביילין; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-American composer, songwriter and lyricist. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Born in Imperial Russ ...

summed up his life at a tribute, saying: "He wasn't as well known as some of us, but he was a better songwriter than most of us and he will be missed by all of us." Shortly before his death, Arlen adopted the 22 year old adult son of his brother Julius "Jerry" Arluck, so that his estate would have an heir in order to extend his copyright. Samuel Arlen runs the company that owns the rights to the Arlen catalog.

Timeline

*1905 Arlen born in

*1920 (age 15) He formed his first professional band, Hyman Arluck's Snappy Trio. *1921 (16) Against his parents' wishes he left home. *1923 (18) With his new band – The Southbound Shufflers, performed on the Crystal Beach lake boat "Canadiana" during the summer of 1923. *1924 (19) Performed at Lake Shore Manor during the summer of 1924. *1924 (19) Wrote his first song, collaborating with friend Hyman Cheiffetz to write "My Gal, My Pal". Copyrighting the song as "My Gal, Won't You Please Come Back to Me?" and listed lyrics by Cheiffetz and music by Harold Arluck. *1925 (20) Makes his way to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

with the group, The Buffalodians, with Arlen playing piano. *1926 (21) Had first published song, collaborating with Dick George to compose "Minor Gaff (Blues Fantasy)" under the name Harold Arluck. *1928 (23) Hyman (or Chaim (Hebrew name meaning life)) Arluck renames himself Harold Arlen. *1929 (24) Landed a singing and acting role as Cokey Joe in the musical ''The Great Day''. *1929 (24) Composed his first well known song – "Get Happy" – under the name Harold Arlen. *1929 (24) Signed a yearlong song writing contract with the George and Arthur Piantadosi firm. *1930–1934 (25–29) Wrote music for the

. *1933 (28) At a party, along with partner

, wrote the major hit song "Stormy Weather" *1934 (29) Wrote " Ill Wind (You're Blowin' Me No Good)" with lyrics by

for their last show at the

Parade, in 1934, which was sung by Adelaide Hall *1935 (30) Went back to California after being signed by

Samuel Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn (born Szmuel Gelbfisz; yi, שמואל געלבפֿיש; August 27, 1882 (claimed) January 31, 1974), also known as Samuel Goldfish, was a Polish-born American film producer. He was best known for being the founding contributor an ...

to write songs for the film '' Strike Me Pink''. *1937 (32) Composed the score for the Broadway musical

. Married 22-year-old

, a celebrated Powers Agency model and former

Earl Carroll Earl Carroll (September 16, 1893 – June 17, 1948) was an American theatrical producer, director, writer, songwriter and composer. Early life Carroll was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1893. He lived as an infant in the Nunnery Hill ( Fine ...

and

Busby Berkeley Busby Berkeley (born Berkeley William Enos; November 29, 1895 – March 14, 1976) was an American film director and musical choreographer. Berkeley devised elaborate musical production numbers that often involved complex geometric patterns. Berke ...

showgirl A showgirl is a female dancer or performer in a stage entertainment show intended to showcase the performer's physical attributes, typically by way of revealing clothing, toplessness, or nudity. History Showgirls date back to the late 180 ...

, actress, and one of the Original "Breck Girls". *1938 (33) Hired by

to compose songs for '' The Wizard of Oz''. *1938 (33) While driving along

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a boulevard in the central and western part of Los Angeles, California, that stretches from the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades east to Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It is a major thoroughfare in ...

in Hollywood and stopping in front of

Schwab's Drug Store Schwab's Pharmacy was a drugstore located at 8024 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, and was a popular hangout for movie actors and movie industry dealmakers from the 1930s through the 1950s. History Opened in 1932 by the Schwab brother ...

, he came up with the song " Over the Rainbow". *1941 (36) Wrote " Blues in the Night" *1942 (37) Along with Johnny Mercer, he wrote one of his most famous songs, "

". *1943 (38) Wrote "

My Shining Hour "My Shining Hour" is a song composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Johnny Mercer for the film '' The Sky's the Limit'' (1943). In the film, the song is sung by Fred Astaire and Sally Sweetland, who dubbed it for actress Joan Leslie. The orchestra ...

" *1944 (39) While driving with songwriter partner Johnny Mercer came up with the song " Accentuate the Positive". *1945 (40) In a single evening's work in October with Johnny Mercer, came up with the song "

". *1949 (44) Collaborated with Ralph Blane to write the score for '' My Blue Heaven''. *1950 (45) Worked with old pal Johnny Mercer on the film ''The Petty Girl'', out of which came the song "Fancy Free". *1951 (46) His wife Anya was institutionalized in a sanitarium for 7 years. *1952 (47) Teamed up with

Dorothy Fields Dorothy Fields (July 15, 1904 – March 28, 1974) was an American librettist and lyricist. She wrote over 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films. Her best-known pieces include "The Way You Look Tonight" (1936), "A Fine Romance" (1936), " On t ...

on the film ''The Farmer Takes a Wife''. *1953 (48) Harold's father, Cantor Samuel Arluck, died. *1954 (49) The musical '' A Star is Born'' starring

singing the now classic, Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin collaboration, "

". *1954 (49) Becomes dangerously ill with a bleeding ulcer and is hospitalized but recovers to work with

Truman Capote Truman Garcia Capote ( ; born Truman Streckfus Persons; September 30, 1924 – August 25, 1984) was an American novelist, screenwriter, playwright and actor. Several of his short stories, novels, and plays have been praised as literary classics, ...

on the musical '' House of Flowers''. *1958 (53) His mother Celia Arluck dies and Harold does not touch music for over a year, mourning her loss. *1962 (56) Wrote the score for the animated musical ''

Gay Purr-ee ''Gay Purr-ee'' is a 1962 American animated musical film produced by United Productions of America and released by Warner Bros. It features the voice of Judy Garland in her only animated-film role, as well as Robert Goulet in his first feature ...

'', lyrics by

E.Y. Harburg Edgar Yipsel Harburg (born Isidore Hochberg; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981) was an American popular song lyricist and librettist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" ( ...

. *1970 (65) Arlen's wife

dies from a brain tumor. Arlen begins to lose interest in life, withdrawing from friends and family and becoming more reclusive. *1974 (69) The theme song for the

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...

''Paper Moon'' is based on the song of that title, written by Arlen and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg in 1932. The series was based on a 1973

Peter Bogdanovich Peter Bogdanovich (July 30, 1939 – January 6, 2022) was an American director, writer, actor, producer, critic, and film historian. One of the " New Hollywood" directors, Bogdanovich started as a film journalist until he was hired to work on ...

film of the same name, which used the same song. *1979 (74) Is inducted into the

American Theater Hall of Fame The American Theater Hall of Fame in New York City was founded in 1972. Earl Blackwell was the first head of the organization's Executive Committee. In an announcement in 1972, he said that the new ''Theater Hall of Fame'' would be located in the ...

. *1985 (80) Adopts Samuel ("Sammy"), son of his younger brother Jerry and Rita Arluck as his son and primary heir. *1986 (81) Harold Arlen dies in

and is interred next to his wife at

Hartsdale Hartsdale is a hamlet located in the town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 5,293 at the 2010 census. It is a suburb of New York City. History Hartsdale, a CDP/hamlet/post-office in the town of Green ...

, New York.

Works for Broadway

*''

Earl Carroll's Vanities ''The Earl Carroll Vanities'' was a Broadway revue that Earl Carroll presented in the 1920s and early 1930s. Carroll and his show were sometimes controversial. Distinguishing qualities In 1923, the ''Vanities'' joined the ranks of New York� ...

of 1930'' (1930) –

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own dur ...

– contributing composer *''

You Said It ''You Said It'' is a musical by Harold Arlen (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics) that uses a musical book by Yellen and Sid Silvers.The musical opened at the Chanin's 46th Street Theatre in New York City on January 19, 1931 and ran for 192 perform ...

'' (1931) – musical – composer *''Earl Carroll's Vanities of 1932'' (1932) –

– co- composer and co-

lyricist A lyricist is a songwriter who writes lyrics (the spoken words), as opposed to a composer, who writes the song's music which may include but not limited to the melody, harmony, arrangement and accompaniment. Royalties A lyricist's incom ...

with

*''Americana'' (1932) –

– contributing composer *''George White's Music Hall Varieties (1933)'' –

– co- composer *'' Life Begins at 8:40'' (1934) –

– composer *''The Show is On'' (1936) –

– contributing composer *''

'' (1937) – musical – composer *''

Bloomer Girl ''Bloomer Girl'' is a 1944 Broadway musical with music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, and a book by Sig Herzig and Fred Saidy, based on an unpublished play by writer Daniel Lewis James and his wife Lilith.Suskin, 89 The plot concerns ...

'' (1944) – musical – composer *'' St. Louis Woman'' (1946) – musical – composer *'' House of Flowers'' (1954) – musical – composer and co-

*''Mr. Imperium'' (1951) – movie musical – featured composer *''

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

'' (1957) – musical – composer –

Tony Tony may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer * Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leagu ...

nomination for Best Musical *'' Saratoga'' (1959) – musical – composer

Major songs

* "

A Sleepin' Bee "A Sleepin' Bee" is a popular song composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Arlen and Truman Capote. It was introduced in the musical '' House of Flowers'' (1954) and performed by Diahann Carroll. While ''House of Flowers'' was a flop, "A Sleepin' ...

" – lyrics by Harold Arlen and

* "

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * " As Long as I Live" – lyrics by

* " Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * " Blues in the Night" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "

Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" is a song in the 1939 film '' The Wizard of Oz''. It is the centrepiece of several individual songs in an extended set-piece performed by the Munchkins, Glinda (Billie Burke) and Dorothy Gale. Highlighted by the Lol ...

" – lyrics by

E. Y. Harburg Edgar Yipsel Harburg (born Isidore Hochberg; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981) was an American popular song lyricist and librettist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" ( ...

* "

" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * " For Every Man There's a Woman" – lyrics by

Leo Robin Leo Robin (April 6, 1900 – December 29, 1984) was an American composer, lyricist and songwriter. He is probably best known for collaborating with Ralph Rainger on the 1938 Academy Award for Best Original Song, Oscar-winning song "Thanks for t ...

* " Get Happy" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "

Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe" is a song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Yip Harburg, it was written for the 1943 film musical '' Cabin in the Sky'', recorded by the MGM Studio Orchestra and sung by Ethel Waters. The song was no ...

" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * "

Hit the Road to Dreamland ''Star Spangled Rhythm'' is a 1942 American all-star cast musical film made by Paramount Pictures during World War II as a morale booster. Many of the Hollywood studios produced such films during the war, generally musicals, frequently with fli ...

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "Hooray for Love" – lyrics by Leo Robin * "

I Could Go On Singing ''I Could Go On Singing'' is a 1963 British-American musical drama film directed by Ronald Neame, starring Judy Garland (in her final film role) and Dirk Bogarde. Originally titled ''The Lonely Stage'', the film was renamed so that audiences w ...

" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * "

If I Only Had a Brain "If I Only Had a Brain" (also "If I Only Had a Heart" and "If I Only Had the Nerve") is a song by Harold Arlen (music) and Yip Harburg (lyrics). The song is sung in the 1939 film '' The Wizard of Oz'' by the character Scarecrow, played by Ray Bo ...

" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * "I Had Myself A True Love" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "

I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues" is a popular song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Ted Koehler, published in 1932 for the Broadway show ''Earl Carroll's Vanities'' (1932). The song has become a jazz and blues standard. Popular recordin ...

" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "I Love a Parade" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * " Ill Wind" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "I Never Has Seen Snow" – lyrics by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote * " It Was Written in the Stars" – lyrics by Leo Robin * "

I've Got the World on a String "I've Got The World on a String" is a 1932 popular jazz song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler. It was written for the twenty-first edition of the Cotton Club series which opened on October 23, 1932, the first of th ...

" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "

It's Only a Paper Moon "It's Only a Paper Moon" is a popular song published in 1933 with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. Background It was originally titled "If You Believed in Me", but later went by the more popular title "It's On ...

" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, Billy Rose * "I Wonder What Became of Me" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "

Last Night When We Were Young "Last Night When We Were Young" is a 1935 popular song about nostalgia and young love composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg. Arlen regarded it as the favourite of the songs that he had written.Jablonski, Edward (1998). Harold Arle ...

" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * "

" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "

Let's Take a Walk Around the Block "Let's Take a Walk Around the Block" is a popular music, popular song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ira Gershwin and E.Y. Harburg. It was introduced in the musical ''Life Begins at 8:40.'' The original Broadway production opened ...

" – lyrics by Ira Gershwin and E. Y. Harburg * "Like a Straw in the Wind" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "

" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * "

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * " On the Swing Shift" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * " Out of This World" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * " Over the Rainbow" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * "Right As The Rain" – lyrics by E. Y. Harburg * " Sing My Heart" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "So Long, Big Time!" – lyrics by

Dory Langdon Dorothy "Dory" Veronica Previn ( Langan; October 22, 1925 – February 14, 2012) was an American lyricist, singer-songwriter and poet. During the late 1950s and 1960s, Previn was a lyricist on songs intended for motion pictures and, with her t ...

* " Stormy Weather" – lyrics by Ted Koehler * "

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "

" – lyrics by Ira Gershwin * "

This Time the Dream's on Me "This Time the Dream's on Me" is a song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was written for the 1941 film '' Blues in the Night'' when it was sung by Priscilla Lane. 1941 recordings Hit versions in 1941 were by Glenn Miller ...

" – lyrics by Johnny Mercer * "What's Good About Goodbye?" – lyrics by Leo Robin * "

When the Sun Comes Out "When the Sun Comes Out" is a song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler, in 1941. It was introduced in 1941 by Helen O'Connell with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (Decca 3657A). Barbra Streisand recording Streisand recorde ...

" – lyrics by Ted Koehler

Films

*2003 – '' Stormy Weather: The Music of Harold Arlen'' (directed by Larry Weinstein)

Biographies

* * *

References

External links

*
NPR profile of Harold Arlen on Weekend Edition Saturday
* * * *

, singing his own songs, dueting with

on two
Harold Arlen recordings
at the Discography of American Historical Recordings. {{DEFAULTSORT:Arlen, Harold 1905 births 1986 deaths 20th-century American composers 20th-century American Jews American musical theatre composers Best Original Song Academy Award-winning songwriters Broadway composers and lyricists Brunswick Records artists Burials at Ferncliff Cemetery Columbia Records artists Deaths from cancer in New York (state) Jewish American composers Jewish American songwriters Male musical theatre composers Musicians from Buffalo, New York Songwriters from New York (state) Vaudeville performers Victor Records artists