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Marty Symes
Lyricist
(1904 - 1953)
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Marty Symes was a lyricist with a relatively small output, but almost every tune was a hit in its time, and at least three have entered the jazz standards repertoire. “Under a Blanket of Blue” (1933), written with Jerry Livingston, was first popularized by Glen Gray and his Casa Loma Orchestra. That same year “It’s the Talk of the Town,” written with Livingston and Al J. Neiburg, was a hit for Bing Crosby. “(There Is) No Greater Love,” written in 1936 with Isham Jones, joined the top 100 standards.
“Darkness on the Delta” (1932), Symes’ first hit with Livingston, was first recorded by Mildred Bailey. “I’ve Got An Invitation To a Dance,” another collaboration with Livingston and Neiburg (1935), was introduced by Kate Smith, and their “Born to Be Bored” appeared in Hollywood Revels of 1936. “Somebody’s Thinking of You Tonight,” with music by Teddy Powell and Ira Schuster, appears in several collections of hits from 1938 and is sung by Sam Browne.
Two versions of “How Many Hearts Have You Broken (With Those Big Beautiful Eyes),” written with Al Kaufman in 1943, made the 1944 Hit Parade--one by Stan Kenton and the other by The Three Suns. “Tippin’ In,” with music by Robert Lewis “Bobby” Smith (1945), became a huge hit for Erskine Hawkins. And finally, “I Have But One Heart,” written with Johnny Farrow in 1945, was first recorded by Axel Stordahl. In 1972 it was given a Latin flavor by the brilliant Italian composer/arranger Nino Rota, who included it in his score for The Godfather.
- Sandra Burlingame |
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