Al Hoffman
Encyclopedia
Al Hoffman a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame
since 1984, was a hit songwriter active in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, usually co-writing with others and responsible for number one hits through each decade, many of which are still sung and recorded today. The popularity of Hoffman's song, "Mairzy Doats
", co-written with Jerry Livingston
and Milton Drake, was such that newspapers and magazines wrote about the craze. Time
magazine titled one article "Our Mairzy Dotage". The New York Times simply wrote the headline, "That Song".
Hoffman's songs were recorded by Frank Sinatra
("Close To You", "I'm Gonna Live Until I Die"), Billy Eckstine
("I Apologize
") Perry Como
("Papa Loves Mambo
", "Hot Diggity
"), Ella Fitzgerald
and Louis Armstrong
("Who Walks In When I Walk Out"), Nat "King" Cole, Tony Bennett
, the Merry Macs
, Sophie Tucker
, Eartha Kitt
, Patsy Cline
, Patti Page
("Allegheny Moon
"), Bette Midler
, and most everyone who was a star of that era. In October, 2007, Hoffman's "I'm Gonna Live Til I Die" was the lead single from Queen Latifah's album, "Trav'lin' Light".
in Russia
(now Belarus
). His parents moved to Seattle, Washington in the United States
when he was 6. After graduating from high school in Seattle, he started his own band
, playing the drums
, and moved to New York City
in 1928 to pursue a music career. Though he continued playing the drums in night club bands and selling bagels door-to-door on Broadway, he began writing songs, collaborating with such other songwriters as Leon Carr
, Leo Corday, Mann Curtis, Mack David
, Milton Drake, Al Goodhart
, Walter Kent
, Sammy Lerner
, Jerry Livingston
, Dick Manning
, Bob Merrill
, Ed Nelson
, and Maurice Sigler
.
In 1934 he moved to London
to work on stage productions and movies, co-writing the hit songs "She Shall Have Music" and "Everything Stops For Tea". He returned to the U.S. three years later.
In 1984 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
. He has over 1,500 songs registered with A.S.C.A.P.
He died in New York City
of prostate cancer
, and was buried in New Jersey
.
Songs written by Al Hoffman, Mack David
Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. It was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and music publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The goal is to create a museum but as of April, 2008, the means do not yet exist and so instead it is an online...
since 1984, was a hit songwriter active in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, usually co-writing with others and responsible for number one hits through each decade, many of which are still sung and recorded today. The popularity of Hoffman's song, "Mairzy Doats
Mairzy Doats
Mairzy Doats is a novelty song composed in 1943 by Milton Drake, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston. It was first played on radio station WOR, New York, by Al Trace and his Silly Symphonists. The song made the pop charts several times, with a version by the Merry Macs reaching No. 1 in March 1944...
", co-written with Jerry Livingston
Jerry Livingston
Jerry Livingston was an American songwriter, and dance orchestra pianist.-Biography:...
and Milton Drake, was such that newspapers and magazines wrote about the craze. Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine titled one article "Our Mairzy Dotage". The New York Times simply wrote the headline, "That Song".
Hoffman's songs were recorded by Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
("Close To You", "I'm Gonna Live Until I Die"), Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
("I Apologize
I Apologize (song)
"I Apologize" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Al Goodhart, and Ed Nelson. The song was published in 1931.Probably the best-known version of the song was recorded by Billy Eckstine. This recording was released by MGM Records as catalog number 10903...
") Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
("Papa Loves Mambo
Papa Loves Mambo
"Papa Loves Mambo" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning, and Bix Reichner and published in 1954.The best-known version was recorded by Perry Como with Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra in New York City on August 31, 1954. The song was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number...
", "Hot Diggity
Hot Diggity
"Hot Diggity " is an American popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning. Published in 1956, it was recorded by Perry Como and went to #1 on the Billboard pop music chart later that year. The song's melody is based on Emmanuel Chabrier's 1883 composition, España.Perry Como's recording was...
"), Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
and Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
("Who Walks In When I Walk Out"), Nat "King" Cole, Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, the Merry Macs
The Merry Macs
The Merry Macs were an American close-harmony pop music quartet active from the 1920s till the 1960s and best known for the hits “Mairzy Doats,” “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition” and "Sentimental Journey." They also sang on recordings with Bing Crosby....
, Sophie Tucker
Sophie Tucker
Sophie Tucker was a Russian/Ukrainian-born American singer and actress. Known for her stentorian delivery of comical and risqué songs, she was one of the most popular entertainers in America during the first half of the 20th century...
, Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Mae Kitt was an American singer, actress, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit recordings of "C'est Si Bon" and the enduring Christmas novelty smash "Santa Baby." Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the...
, Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
, Patti Page
Patti Page
Clara Ann Fowler , known by her professional name Patti Page, is an American singer, one of the best-known female artists in traditional pop music. She was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, and has sold over 100 million records...
("Allegheny Moon
Allegheny Moon
Allegheny Moon is a popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1956.The song is best known in a 1956 recording by Patti Page. This recording was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70878, with the flip side The Strangest Romance. It first reached the Billboard...
"), Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
, and most everyone who was a star of that era. In October, 2007, Hoffman's "I'm Gonna Live Til I Die" was the lead single from Queen Latifah's album, "Trav'lin' Light".
Biography
Hoffman was born in MinskMinsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(now Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
). His parents moved to Seattle, Washington in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
when he was 6. After graduating from high school in Seattle, he started his own band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, playing the drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, and moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1928 to pursue a music career. Though he continued playing the drums in night club bands and selling bagels door-to-door on Broadway, he began writing songs, collaborating with such other songwriters as Leon Carr
Leon Carr
Leon Carr was a prolific American songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist and conductor, best known for his marketing jingles used in advertisements for Mounds candy , Chevrolet Leon Carr (June 10, 1910 – March 27, 1976) was a prolific American songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist and...
, Leo Corday, Mann Curtis, Mack David
Mack David
Mack David was an American lyricist and songwriter, best known for his work in film and television, with a career spanning from the early 1940s through the early 1970s. Mack was credited with writing lyrics and/or music for over one thousand songs...
, Milton Drake, Al Goodhart
Al Goodhart
Al Goodhart a member of ASCAP, was born in New York City and attended DeWitt Clinton High School. During his lifetime he was a radio announcer, vaudeville pianist and special materials writer. He also owned a theatrical agency. After his 1931 hit "I Apologize" he concentrated on composing music...
, Walter Kent
Walter Kent
Walter Kent was a Jewish American composer who wrote the music for songs including the Christmas standard "I'll Be Home for Christmas", and the wartime hit " The White Cliffs of Dover", co-written with fellow American Nat Burton. He died at the age of 82-External links:...
, Sammy Lerner
Sammy Lerner
Samuel "Sammy" Lerner was a Romanian-born songwriter for American and British musical theatre and film.-Career:...
, Jerry Livingston
Jerry Livingston
Jerry Livingston was an American songwriter, and dance orchestra pianist.-Biography:...
, Dick Manning
Dick Manning
Dick Manning was a Russian-born American songwriter, best known for his many collaborations with Al Hoffman....
, Bob Merrill
Bob Merrill
Bob Merrill was an American songwriter, theatrical composer, lyricist, and screenwriter.Merrill was born Henry Merrill Levan in Atlantic City, New Jersey and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following a stint with the Army during World War II, he moved to Hollywood, where he worked as a...
, Ed Nelson
Ed Nelson
Edwin Stafford Nelson is an American actor.Nelson has appeared in numerous television shows, more than fifty motion pictures, and hundreds of stage productions. Until 2005, he was teaching acting and screenwriting in his native New Orleans at two local universities there...
, and Maurice Sigler
Maurice Sigler
Maurice Sigler was an American banjoist and songwriter.Sigler was born in New York City but moved to Birmingham, Alabama at an early age and received his musical tuition there...
.
In 1934 he moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to work on stage productions and movies, co-writing the hit songs "She Shall Have Music" and "Everything Stops For Tea". He returned to the U.S. three years later.
In 1984 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. It was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and music publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The goal is to create a museum but as of April, 2008, the means do not yet exist and so instead it is an online...
. He has over 1,500 songs registered with A.S.C.A.P.
He died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
, and was buried in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Songs written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning
- Allegheny MoonAllegheny MoonAllegheny Moon is a popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1956.The song is best known in a 1956 recording by Patti Page. This recording was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70878, with the flip side The Strangest Romance. It first reached the Billboard...
(1956) - Dennis The Menace Song (1960)
- Gilly, Gilly, Ossenfeffer, Katzenellen Bogen by the SeaGilly, Gilly, Ossenfeffer, Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea"Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1954.The best-known version in the United States was recorded by The Four Lads with teenage girls Lillian Pasciolla and others on February 27, 1954...
(1954) - Hot DiggityHot Diggity"Hot Diggity " is an American popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning. Published in 1956, it was recorded by Perry Como and went to #1 on the Billboard pop music chart later that year. The song's melody is based on Emmanuel Chabrier's 1883 composition, España.Perry Como's recording was...
(1956) - I Can't Tell A Waltz From A TangoI Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango"I Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1954.The best known version in the United States was recorded by Patti Page; the best-known version in the United Kingdom by Alma Cogan...
(1954) - Mama, Teach Me to DanceMama, Teach Me to DanceThe song is best known in a 1956 recording by Eydie Gormé....
(1956) - Moon Talk(1958)
- O Dio Mio (1960)
- Takes Two to Tango (1952)
Songs written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning, and another collaborator
- Are You Really Mine?Are You Really Mine?The best-known recording of the song was done by Jimmie Rodgers, charting at #10 on the U.S. Billboard chart in 1958....
(1958) (with Mark Markwell) - Make Me a MiracleMake Me a MiracleThe best-known recording of the song was done by Jimmie Rodgers, charting in 1958....
(1958) (with Mark Markwell) - Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love AgainOh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again"Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning, and Mark Markwell and published in 1958.The best-known recording of the song was done by Jimmie Rodgers, charting in 1958. It debuted on the charts in February, and spent 11 weeks on the charts that spring,...
(1958) (with Mark Markwell) - Papa Loves MamboPapa Loves Mambo"Papa Loves Mambo" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning, and Bix Reichner and published in 1954.The best-known version was recorded by Perry Como with Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra in New York City on August 31, 1954. The song was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number...
(1954) (with Bix Reichner) - SecretlySecretlyThe best-known recording of the song was done by Jimmie Rodgers, charting in 1958, reaching number three on the U.S. pop chart and number five on the country chart....
(1958) (with Mark Markwell)
Songs written by Al Hoffman, Mack DavidMack DavidMack David was an American lyricist and songwriter, best known for his work in film and television, with a career spanning from the early 1940s through the early 1970s. Mack was credited with writing lyrics and/or music for over one thousand songs...
, and Jerry LivingstonJerry LivingstonJerry Livingston was an American songwriter, and dance orchestra pianist.-Biography:...
- Bibbidi-Bobbidi-BooBibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo"Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" is a novelty song, written in 1948 by Al Hoffman, Mack David, and Jerry Livingston. It was introduced in the 1950 film Cinderella, performed by actress Verna Felton....
(1948) - Chi-Baba, Chi-BabaChi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep)"Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba " is a popular song.It was written by Mack David, Jerry Livingston, and Al Hoffman and published in 1947....
(1947) - A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart MakesA Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes"A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is a song written and composed by Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston for the Walt Disney film Cinderella . In the song Cinderella encourages her animal friends to never stop dreaming, and that theme continues throughout the entire story.The theme of...
(1949) - A Very Merry Un-Birthday To You (1951)
Others
- "Apple Blossoms and Chapel Bells"
- "Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear"
- "Bear Down, Chicago BearsBear Down, Chicago Bears"Bear Down, Chicago Bears" is the fight song of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. It was written in 1941 by Al Hoffman under the pseudonym Jerry Downs.At home games, the song is played every time the Bears score, even after a safety....
" - "Black-Eyed Susan Brown"
- "Close to You" (with Jerry LivingstonJerry LivingstonJerry Livingston was an American songwriter, and dance orchestra pianist.-Biography:...
and Carl Lampl) - "Don’t Stay Away Too Long"
- "Everything Stops for TeaEverything Stops for TeaEverything Stops for Tea is a record album by John Baldry released in May 1972. The album was produced by Elton John and Rod Stewart. Elton John provides vocal accompaniment on tracks 1, 3, 4, and 5...
" - "Everything's in Rhythm with My Heart" (1935) (with Al GoodhartAl GoodhartAl Goodhart a member of ASCAP, was born in New York City and attended DeWitt Clinton High School. During his lifetime he was a radio announcer, vaudeville pianist and special materials writer. He also owned a theatrical agency. After his 1931 hit "I Apologize" he concentrated on composing music...
and Maurice SiglerMaurice SiglerMaurice Sigler was an American banjoist and songwriter.Sigler was born in New York City but moved to Birmingham, Alabama at an early age and received his musical tuition there...
) - "Fit as a FiddleFit as a Fiddle (And Ready for Love)"Fit as a Fiddle " is a popular song.It was written by Arthur Freed, Al Hoffman, and Al Goodhart and published in 1932....
" (1932) (with Arthur FreedArthur FreedArthur Freed was born Arthur Grossman in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a Jewish American lyricist and a Hollywood film producer.- Biography :Freed began his career as a song-plugger and pianist in Chicago...
and Al GoodhartAl GoodhartAl Goodhart a member of ASCAP, was born in New York City and attended DeWitt Clinton High School. During his lifetime he was a radio announcer, vaudeville pianist and special materials writer. He also owned a theatrical agency. After his 1931 hit "I Apologize" he concentrated on composing music...
) - "From One Minute to Another"
- "Goodnight, Wherever You Are"
- "HeartachesHeartaches (song)"Heartaches" is a popular song with music by Al Hoffman and lyrics by John Klenner. The song was published in 1931.-Ted Weems cover:The biggest recorded version of the song was by the Ted Weems Orchestra, with Elmo Tanner whistling...
" (1931) (lyrics by John Clenner) - "I ApologizeI Apologize (song)"I Apologize" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Al Goodhart, and Ed Nelson. The song was published in 1931.Probably the best-known version of the song was recorded by Billy Eckstine. This recording was released by MGM Records as catalog number 10903...
" (1931) (lyrics by Al GoodhartAl GoodhartAl Goodhart a member of ASCAP, was born in New York City and attended DeWitt Clinton High School. During his lifetime he was a radio announcer, vaudeville pianist and special materials writer. He also owned a theatrical agency. After his 1931 hit "I Apologize" he concentrated on composing music...
) - "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a CakeIf I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake"If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Bob Merrill, and Clem Watts and published in 1950.The big hit version in 1950 was recorded by Eileen Barton in January 1950. The recording was released by National Records as catalog number 9103...
" (1950) (with Bob MerrillBob MerrillBob Merrill was an American songwriter, theatrical composer, lyricist, and screenwriter.Merrill was born Henry Merrill Levan in Atlantic City, New Jersey and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following a stint with the Army during World War II, he moved to Hollywood, where he worked as a...
and Clem Watts) - "I Must Have One More Kiss Kiss Kiss"
- "I Saw Stars"
- "I’m in a Dancing Mood"
- "Little Man You’ve Had a Busy Day"
- "Mairzy DoatsMairzy DoatsMairzy Doats is a novelty song composed in 1943 by Milton Drake, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston. It was first played on radio station WOR, New York, by Al Trace and his Silly Symphonists. The song made the pop charts several times, with a version by the Merry Macs reaching No. 1 in March 1944...
" - "Roll Up the Carpet" (1933) (lyrics by Raymond Klages, music by Raymond Klages, Al GoodhartAl GoodhartAl Goodhart a member of ASCAP, was born in New York City and attended DeWitt Clinton High School. During his lifetime he was a radio announcer, vaudeville pianist and special materials writer. He also owned a theatrical agency. After his 1931 hit "I Apologize" he concentrated on composing music...
, and Hoffman) - "She Broke My Heart in Three Places" (c.1944) (with Jerry LivingstonJerry LivingstonJerry Livingston was an American songwriter, and dance orchestra pianist.-Biography:...
and Milton Drake) - "The Story of a Starry Night" (1941) (with Jerry LivingstonJerry LivingstonJerry Livingston was an American songwriter, and dance orchestra pianist.-Biography:...
and Mann Curtis) - "There Isn’t Any Limit to My Love"
- "What’s the Good Word, Mr. Bluebird?"
- "Who Walks in When I Walk Out?"
- "Why Don’t You Practice What You Preach?"
- "Without Rhythm"