- published: 26 Mar 2015
- views: 7912
Frank Henry Loesser (June 29, 1910 – July 28, 1969) was an American songwriter who wrote the lyrics and music to the Broadway hits Guys and Dolls and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, among others. He won separate Tony Awards for the music and lyrics in both shows, as well as sharing the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the latter. He also wrote numerous songs for films and Tin Pan Alley, many of which have become standards, and was nominated for five Academy Awards for best song, winning once, for "Baby, It's Cold Outside".
Loesser was born in New York City to Henry Loesser, a pianist, and Julia Ehrlich. He left City College of New York in 1925 after one year. After trying various jobs, by 1935 he was performing in a club with singer Lynn Blankenbaker Garland, whom he married in 1936.
After signing with Universal Pictures in 1936 he moved to Hollywood, and then worked for Paramount Pictures. He wrote the lyrics for many songs during this period, including "Two Sleepy People" and “I Hear Music.” He stayed in Hollywood until World War II, when he joined the Army Air Force.
Nicely-Nicely:
I got the horse right here,
The name is Paul Revere,
And here's a guy that says if the weather's clear,
Can do,
Can do,
This guys says the horse can do,
If he says the horse can do,
Can do,
Can do
Can do.
Can do,
Can do,
This guy says the horse can do
If he says the horse can do,
Can do,
Can do.
For Paul Revere I'll bite,
I hear his foot's all right.
Of course it all depends if it rained last night.
Likes mud,
Likes mud,
This "x" means the horse likes mud,
If that means the horse likes mud,
Likes mud,
Likes mud.
I'll tell you Paul Revere,
Now this is no bum steer,
It's from a handicapper that's real sincere.
This guy says the horse shows class,
Can do,
Can do,
Paul Revere,
I got the horse right here.
Benny:
I'm picking Valentine,
Cause on the morning line,
This guy has got him figured at five to nine
Has chance,
Has chance,
This guy says the horse has chance,
If he says the horse has chance,
Has chance,
Has chance.
I know it's Valentine,
The morning works looks fine.
Besides the Jockey's brother's a friend of mine.
Needs race,
Needs race,
My friend says the horse needs race.
If he says the horse needs race,
Needs race,
Needs race.
I go for Valentine,
Cause on the morning line,
The guy has got him figured at five to nine.
Has chance,
Has chance,
This guy says the horse has chance.
Valentine,
I got the horse right here.
Rusty:
But look at Epitaph,
He wins it by a half,
According to this here in the Telegraph,
Big threat,
Big threat,
This guy calls the horse big threat.
If he calls the horse big threat,
Big threat
Big threat.
And just a minute boys,
I've got the feed box noise,
It says the great grandfather was Equipoise.
Shows class,
Shows class,
This guy says the horse shows class,
If he says the horse shows class,
Shows class,
Shows class.
So make it Epitaph,
He wins it by a half,
According to this here in the Telegraph.
Epitaph