Birth name John Francis Burke Children Rory Burke Years active 1926-1964 Nationality American | Role Lyricist Genres Popular music Name Johnny Burke | |
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Spouse Bessie Patterson (m. 1939–1964) Similar People | ||
Johnny burke judge my soul again
John Francis "Johnny" Burke (October 3, 1908 – February 25, 1964) was a lyricist, widely regarded as one of the finest writers of popular songs in America between the 1920s and 1950s. His work is considered part of the Great American Songbook.
Contents
- Johnny burke judge my soul again
- Erroll garner and johnny burke misty cover egh sessions 2015
- Early life
- Burke and Spina
- Burke in Hollywood
- Other works
- Awards and honors
- Personal life
- Discography
- References
His song "Swinging on a Star", from the Bing Crosby film Going My Way, won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1944.
Erroll garner and johnny burke misty cover egh sessions 2015
Early life
Burke was born in Antioch, California. When still young, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Burke's father founded a construction business. As a youth, Burke studied piano and drama. He attended Crane College and then the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he played piano in the orchestra.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1927, Burke joined the Chicago office of the Irving Berlin Publishing Company in 1926 as a pianist and song salesman. He also played piano in dance bands and vaudeville.
Burke and Spina
Irving Berlin Publishing transferred Burke to its New York City office, where he began to write lyrics in collaboration with composer Harold Spina. In 1932, they wrote "Shadows on the Swanee", followed in 1933 by "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore", their first big hit for the Guy Lombardo Orchestra. In 1934, Burke and Spina wrote "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew", which was a novelty hit for Fats Waller, as was "My Very Good Friend, the Milkman". Burke and Spina wrote many songs that were played by leading bands of the day, including those led by Ben Pollack, Paul Whiteman and Ozzie Nelson. 1936 saw the end of the Burke - Spina partnership, as Burke left for Hollywood.
Burke in Hollywood
Burke's first partner in Hollywood was Arthur Johnston. He then worked with Jimmy Monaco, but he was to make his mark in collaboration with Jimmy Van Heusen.
The team of Burke and Van Heusen turned out some of the great hit tunes of the 1940s. Burke signed a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1939, and spent his entire career with just one studio. Burke's primary function as a lyricist was working on Bing Crosby films. Of the 41 films on which he worked, 25 starred Bing Crosby. Seventeen songs were substantial hits, including "Pennies from Heaven", "I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams", "Only Forever", "Moonlight Becomes You" and Sunday, Monday, or Always.
Other works
In 1939, Burke wrote the lyrics for "Scatterbrain", with music by Frankie Masters and "What's New?" with Bob Haggart (1914–1998). In 1955, Burke added lyrics to a standard by "cool" jazz pianist Erroll Garner entitled "Misty". Burke also wrote the words and music to the Nat King Cole song "If Love Ain't There."
The 1956 film, The Vagabond King was Burke's last Hollywood work. Eight years later, he died in New York City from a heart attack at the age of 55.
Awards and honors
Burke and Van Heusen's song "Swinging on a Star", from the Bing Crosby film 'Going My Way', won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1944, one of seven Academy Awards won by the film. Burke was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
In 1995, Burke's life was depicted in the Broadway musical revue, "Swinging on a Star".
Personal life
Burke was married four times. He was married to Bess Patterson from 1939-1955, and they had three children.
Discography
Among the landmarks of Burke's songwriting career were: