Al Lewis (lyricist)
Encyclopedia
Al Lewis is thought of mostly as a Tin Pan Alley
era lyricist
; however, he did write music on occasion as well. Professionally he was most active during the 1920s working into the 1950s. During this time, he most often collaborated with popular songwriters Al Sherman
and Abner Silver
. Among his most famous songs are "Blueberry Hill
" and "You Gotta Be a Football Hero
".
, Lewis and several other hitmakers of the day performed in a revue called "Songwriters on Parade
", performing all across the Eastern seaboard
on the Loew's and Keith circuits.
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century...
era lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
; however, he did write music on occasion as well. Professionally he was most active during the 1920s working into the 1950s. During this time, he most often collaborated with popular songwriters Al Sherman
Al Sherman
Al Sherman was an American Tin Pan Alley songwriter from the first half of the twentieth century. Sherman is a link in a long chain of musical Sherman family members.-Early life:...
and Abner Silver
Abner Silver
Abner Silver was an American songwriter who worked primarily during the Tin Pan Alley era of the craft. He was born on December 28, 1899, in New York....
. Among his most famous songs are "Blueberry Hill
Blueberry Hill (song)
"Blueberry Hill" is a popular song published in 1940 best remembered for its 1950s rock n' roll version by Fats Domino. The music was written by Vincent Rose, the lyrics by Al Lewis. It was recorded six times in 1940...
" and "You Gotta Be a Football Hero
You Gotta Be A Football Hero
"You Gotta Be a Football Hero" is a song written by Al Sherman, Buddy Fields and Al Lewis. It is one of the most widely recorded and performed American football anthems of all time...
".
Songwriters on Parade
Between 1931 and 1934, during the last days of VaudevilleVaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
, Lewis and several other hitmakers of the day performed in a revue called "Songwriters on Parade
Songwriters On Parade
Songwriters on Parade was a musical Vaudeville revue which featured hit songwriters of the day. It was considered one of the last Vaudevillian forays of this type...
", performing all across the Eastern seaboard
Eastern seaboard
An Eastern seaboard can mean any easternmost part of a continent, or its countries, states and/or cities.Eastern seaboard may also refer to:* East Coast of Australia* East Coast of the United States* Eastern Seaboard of Thailand-See also:...
on the Loew's and Keith circuits.
Hit songs
- 1926 "Gonna Get a Girl" composed by Howard Simon
- 1929 "He's So UnusualHe's So Unusual"He's So Unusual" is a song from the late 1920s performed by Helen Kane, who was the inspiration for the Betty Boop character. The song was written by Al Sherman, Al Lewis and Abner Silver. Released on June 14, 1929, "He's So Unusual" was featured in the motion picture, Sweetie. Shapiro,...
" - 1929 "Good Morning, Good Evening, Good Night"
- 1930 "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the MoonlightLivin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight"Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight" is a popular song written by Al Sherman and Al Lewis for the 1930 film, The Big Pond starring Maurice Chevalier. The song was also sung by Chevalier who made it famous. Chevalier enjoyed his first American hit with this song...
" - 1931 "Ninety-Nine Out of a HundredNinety-Nine Out of a Hundred"Ninety-Nine Out of a Hundred " is a song recorded by Rudy Vallee in 1930. It was written by Tin Pan Alley tunesmiths, Al Sherman and Al Lewis. In the 1960s it was rerecorded by Bob Crosby and his orchestra for Capitol Records....
", a Rudy ValleeRudy ValléeRudy Vallée was an American singer, actor, bandleader, and entertainer.-Early life:Born Hubert Prior Vallée in Island Pond, Vermont, the son of Charles Alphonse and Catherine Lynch Vallée...
hit vocal. - 1931 "Got the Bench, Got the Park"
- 1933 "Now's the Time to Fall in LoveNow's The Time To Fall In Love"Now's The Time To Fall In Love" is a song from the Depression era written by Tin Pan Alley tunesmiths, Al Sherman and Al Lewis. The song was made popular by Eddie Cantor on his weekly radio show...
", an Eddie CantorEddie CantorEddie Cantor was an American "illustrated song" performer, comedian, dancer, singer, actor and songwriter...
hit vocal. - 1933 "You Gotta Be a Football HeroYou Gotta Be A Football Hero"You Gotta Be a Football Hero" is a song written by Al Sherman, Buddy Fields and Al Lewis. It is one of the most widely recorded and performed American football anthems of all time...
" - 1936 "Hypnotized"
- 1940 "Blueberry HillBlueberry Hill (song)"Blueberry Hill" is a popular song published in 1940 best remembered for its 1950s rock n' roll version by Fats Domino. The music was written by Vincent Rose, the lyrics by Al Lewis. It was recorded six times in 1940...
" - 1941 "Rose O'Day"
- 1959 "I'm Ready" with Fats DominoFats DominoAntoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
& Sylvester Bradford