Walter Donaldson
Encyclopedia
Walter Donaldson was a prolific United States
popular songwriter
, composing many hit songs of the 1910s and 1920s.
teacher. While still in school he wrote original music for school productions, and had his first professional songs published in 1915. The following year he had a hit with "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady". After serving in the United States Army
in World War I
, Donaldson was hired as a songwriter by Irving Berlin
Music Company. He stayed with Berlin until 1928, producing many hit songs, then in 1928 established his own publishing company. His company was legally Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble, Inc, but all the publications had Walter Donaldson's name in large letters, and the legal name of the company in fine print.
Donaldson is primarily known as a composer, rather than as a lyricist. He published some 600 original songs. His biggest hits included:
Several of these songs were written with lyricist Gus Kahn
.
At the end of the 1920s Donaldson moved to Hollywood and worked composing and arranging music for motion pictures
. His film credits include work on such pictures as Glorifying the American Girl
, Suzi
, The Great Ziegfeld
, Panama Hattie
, Follow the Boys
, and Nevada.
Walter Donaldson retired in 1943 and died in Santa Monica, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
popular songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, composing many hit songs of the 1910s and 1920s.
History
Walter Donaldson was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
teacher. While still in school he wrote original music for school productions, and had his first professional songs published in 1915. The following year he had a hit with "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady". After serving in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Donaldson was hired as a songwriter by Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
Music Company. He stayed with Berlin until 1928, producing many hit songs, then in 1928 established his own publishing company. His company was legally Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble, Inc, but all the publications had Walter Donaldson's name in large letters, and the legal name of the company in fine print.
Donaldson is primarily known as a composer, rather than as a lyricist. He published some 600 original songs. His biggest hits included:
- "At Sundown"
- "Carolina in the MorningCarolina in the Morning"Carolina in the Morning" is a popular song with words by Gus Kahn and music by Walter Donaldson, first published in 1922 by Jerome H. Remick & Co....
" - "Don't Be AngryDon't Be Angry"Don't Be Angry" is a popular song written by Nappy Brown, Rose Marie McCoy, and Fred Mendelsohn and published in 1955. Brown released it in 1955, reaching #2 in the Billboard charts....
" - "Georgia"
- "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm? (After They've Seen Paree)"
- "Kansas City KittyKansas City KittyKansas City Kitty is a 1944 American romantic musical film directed by Del Lord and starring Jane Frazee.- Cast :* Joan Davis - Polly Jasper* Bob Crosby - Jimmy* Jane Frazee - Eileen Hasbrook* Erik Rolf - Dr. Henry Talbot* Tim Ryan - Dave Clark...
" - "Little White LiesLittle White Lies"Little White Lies" is a popular song.It was written by Walter Donaldson. The song was published in 1930. It was recorded on July 25, 1930 by Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians with vocal by Clare Hanlon and The Waring Girls...
" - "Love Me or Leave MeLove Me or Leave Me (song)"Love Me or Leave Me" is a U.S. popular song from the 1920s.The music was written by Walter Donaldson and the lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was introduced in the Broadway play, Whoopee!, which opened in December 1928...
" - "Makin' Whoopee"
- "My Baby Just Cares for MeMy Baby Just Cares for Me"My Baby Just Cares for Me" is a jazz standard written by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was written for the 1930 film version of the 1928 Ziegfeld musical comedy Whoopee!, starring Eddie Cantor. It is known as the signature tune of singer and pianist Nina Simone.-Nina Simone...
" - "My Blue HeavenMy Blue Heaven (song)"My Blue Heaven" is a popular song written by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by George A. Whiting. It has become part of various fake book collections....
" (lyrics: George A. WhitingGeorge A. WhitingGeorge A. Whiting was a vaudeville song and dance man, and also a writer of lyrics for popular songs during the vaudeville era. He toured with singer Sadie Burt, whom he later married and had 3 daughters with. His best known work is "My Blue Heaven", with music by Walter Donaldson...
) - "My BuddyMy Buddy (song)"My Buddy" is a popular song.The music was written by Walter Donaldson, the lyrics by Gus Kahn. The song was published in 1922.-Recorded versions:*Gene Autry*Chet Baker *Teresa Brewer *Benny Carter*Rosemary Clooney...
" - "My Little Bimbo Down on a Bamboo Isle"
- "My MammyMy Mammy"My Mammy" is a U.S. popular song with music by Walter Donaldson and lyrics by Joe Young and Sam M. Lewis.Though associated with Al Jolson, who performed the song very successfully, "My Mammy" was performed first by William Frawley as a vaudeville-style act during 1918. Jolson heard the song and...
" (a huge hit for Al JolsonAl JolsonAl Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
) - "That Certain Party",
- "Yes Sir, That's My BabyYes Sir, That's My Baby"Yes Sir, That's My Baby" is a U.S. popular song from 1925.The music was written by Walter Donaldson and the lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was a hit for Ace Brigode in 1925 and for Eddie Cantor in 1930. It was later a hit for Rick Nelson in the 1950s and Frank Sinatra in the 1960s...
" - "You're Driving Me CrazyYou're Driving Me Crazy"You’re Driving Me Crazy" is a U.S. popular song composed by Walter Donaldson for the 1930 musical comedy Smiles. It was recorded the same year by Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians and became a hit...
" - "Sam, the Old Accordion Man"
Several of these songs were written with lyricist Gus Kahn
Gus Kahn
Gustav Gerson Kahn was a musician, songwriter and lyricist.-Biography:Kahn was born in Koblenz, Germany in 1886. The family emigrated from there to the United States and moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1890...
.
At the end of the 1920s Donaldson moved to Hollywood and worked composing and arranging music for motion pictures
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
. His film credits include work on such pictures as Glorifying the American Girl
Glorifying the American Girl
Glorifying the American Girl is a 1929 musical comedy film produced by Florenz Ziegfeld that highlights Ziegfeld Follies performers. The last third of the film is basically a Follies production, with cameo appearances by Rudy Vallee, Helen Morgan and Eddie Cantor.The script for the film was...
, Suzi
Suzi
Suzi is an English nickname for Susan, Suzanne or Susannah, other common spellings end in 'e', as well as other variants. Suzi may refer to:-People:* Suzi Digby* Suzi Gardner* Suzi Lane* Suzi Leather* Suzi Lovegrove* Suzi Martin* Suzi Oppenheimer...
, The Great Ziegfeld
The Great Ziegfeld
The Great Ziegfeld is a 1936 musical film produced by MGM. A fictionalized biography of Florenz Ziegfeld from his show business beginnings to his death, it showcases a series of spectacular musical productions. The film includes original music by Walter Donaldson and Irving Berlin...
, Panama Hattie
Panama Hattie
Panama Hattie is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva. It is also the title of a 1942 MGM musical based upon the play...
, Follow the Boys
Follow the Boys
Follow the Boys , also known as Three Cheers for the Boys, is a musical film made by Universal Pictures as an all-star cast morale booster to entertain the troops abroad and the civilians at home. The film was directed by A. Edward "Eddie" Sutherland and produced by Charles K. Feldman...
, and Nevada.
Walter Donaldson retired in 1943 and died in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
.
External links
- My Blue Heaven: The Life and Music of Composer Walter Donaldson {dead link}
- Walter Donaldson's entry at the Songwriters' Hall of Fame
- Sheet music for "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm? (After They've Seen Paree)", Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co., 1919.