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Burton Lane

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Songwriter

The Resume

    (February 2, 1912-January 5, 1997)
    Born in New York City, New York
    Birth name was Burton Levy
    Composer for the Broadway musicals 'Finian's Rainbow' (1947) and 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' (1965) and the films 'Dancing Lady' (1933), 'College Swing' (1938), 'Babes on Broadway' (1941), and 'Royal Wedding' (1951)
    Songs include 'Old Devil Moon,' 'How About You?', 'Everything I Have Is Yours,' 'How Are Things in Glocca Morra?' and 'How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life'

Why he might be annoying:

    When lyricist E.Y. Harburg said he wanted 'Finian's Rainbow' to be as important as 'Porgy and Bess,' Lane almost left the project, feeling he was not in George Gershwin's league as a composer.
    He described his collaboration with Alan Jay Lerner on 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' as 'the worst two years of my life.'
    He started and abandoned a number of projects, admitting, 'I'm very picky for the right property.'
    The New York Times wrote, 'He was neither as prolific as Irving Berlin, nor as versatile as Cole Porter, nor as dauntless as Richard Rodgers or George Gershwin.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He almost became one of the youngest songwriters in Broadway history when he was hired at age fourteen to write songs for 'Greenwich Village Follies.' However, the revue was cancelled when its intended star got sick.
    After seeing Judy Garland in a stage show with her sisters, he notified the MGM music department of her talent, and played piano at her audition for the studio (1935).
    He battled against musical piracy as the president of the Songwriters Guild of American (1957-66).
    He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1971).

Credit: C. Fishel


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Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying