Arthur Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Arthur Hamilton is an American
songwriter
, who is best known for writing the song "Cry Me a River", first published in 1953 and most famously recorded by Julie London
in 1955.
He was born in Seattle, Washington
, the son of songwriter Jack Stern (1896–1985). He learned piano
as a child, and also studied music theory and counterpoint
.
In 1949 he wrote an early live television musical for KTTV
in Los Angeles
. He also worked for a music publishing company. In 1953, he contributed three songs to the film
Pete Kelly's Blues
, including "Sing A Rainbow
" and "He Needs Me", sung by Peggy Lee
. However, Hamilton's third song, "Cry Me A River", sung by Ella Fitzgerald
, was dropped from the film. The song's first release and most famous recording was by actress and singer Julie London in 1955. Her performance of the song in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It
helped to make it a million-selling hit, reaching # 9 in the US Billboard
chart and # 22 in the UK.
His compositions have been recorded by Dinah Washington
, Harry Connick Jr., Barbra Streisand
, Johnny Mathis
, Ray Charles
, Diana Krall
, The Dells
(whose version of "Sing a Rainbow" was an international hit in 1969), and others. He has also been nominated for an Oscar, two Emmys, and a Golden Globe. He was until 2007 a Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Music Branch).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
, who is best known for writing the song "Cry Me a River", first published in 1953 and most famously recorded by Julie London
Julie London
Julie London was an American singer and actress. She was best known for her smoky, sensual voice. London was at her singing career's peak in the 1950s. Her acting career lasted more than 35 years...
in 1955.
He was born in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, the son of songwriter Jack Stern (1896–1985). He learned piano
Piano
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...
as a child, and also studied music theory and counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
.
In 1949 he wrote an early live television musical for KTTV
KTTV
KTTV, channel 11, is an owned-and-operated television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Los Angeles, California. Serving the vast Los Angeles metropolitan area, KTTV is a sister station to KCOP , Los Angeles' MyNetworkTV station...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He also worked for a music publishing company. In 1953, he contributed three songs to the film
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...
Pete Kelly's Blues
Pete Kelly's Blues (1955 film)
Pete Kelly's Blues is a 1955 film based on the 1951 original radio series. It was directed by and starred Jack Webb in the title role. Janet Leigh is featured as party girl Ivy Conrad, and Peggy Lee portrays alcoholic jazz singer Rose Hopkins. Ella Fitzgerald makes a memorable cameo as singer...
, including "Sing A Rainbow
I Can Sing a Rainbow
"I Can Sing a Rainbow" is a popular song written by Arthur Hamilton. It was featured in the 1955 film Pete Kelly's Blues where it was sung by Peggy Lee...
" and "He Needs Me", sung by Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
. However, Hamilton's third song, "Cry Me A River", sung by 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...
, was dropped from the film. The song's first release and most famous recording was by actress and singer Julie London in 1955. Her performance of the song in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It
The Girl Can't Help It
The Girl Can't Help It is a 1956 comedy musical film starring Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell, and Edmond O'Brien. It was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, with a screenplay adapted by Tashlin and Herbert Baker from an uncredited novel Do Re Me by Garson Kanin...
helped to make it a million-selling hit, reaching # 9 in the US Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
chart and # 22 in the UK.
His compositions have been recorded by Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
, Harry Connick Jr., Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
, Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
, Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, Diana Krall
Diana Krall
Diana Jean Krall, OC, OBC is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer, known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 6 million albums in the US and over 15 million worldwide; altogether, she has sold more albums than any other female jazz artist during the 1990s and 2000s...
, The Dells
The Dells
The Dells are an R&B and crossover musical group. Their successful recordings spanned more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues...
(whose version of "Sing a Rainbow" was an international hit in 1969), and others. He has also been nominated for an Oscar, two Emmys, and a Golden Globe. He was until 2007 a Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Music Branch).