Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 15, 1905 in Allenhurst, NJ

Death

:

May 28, 1974 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Dorothy Fields was an American composer and lyricist who made significant contributions to the world of musical theater and popular music. She was born on July 15, 1905, in Allenhurst, New Jersey, to a family of vaudeville performers. Her father, Lew Fields, was a famous comedian and producer, and her mother, Rose Harris, was a singer and dancer. Growing up in a family of performers, Dorothy was exposed to music and theater from a young age and developed a passion for it. Dorothy began her career as a writer in the 1920s, working as a journalist and a screenwriter. However, her true passion was music, and she soon began writing lyrics for popular songs. In 1928, she wrote the lyrics for her first hit song, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," which was performed by Adelaide Hall in the Broadway musical Blackbirds of 1928. The song became an instant hit and established Dorothy as a talented lyricist. Over the next few years, Dorothy continued to write lyrics for popular songs, including "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "The Way You Look Tonight," and "A Fine Romance." Her lyrics were known for their wit, humor, and clever wordplay, and they quickly became popular with audiences. In 1936, Dorothy teamed up with composer Jerome Kern to write the score for the musical Swing Time, which starred Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The musical was a huge success, and the song "The Way You Look Tonight" won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. In the 1940s, Dorothy continued to write lyrics for musicals and films, including the musicals Let's Face It! and Something for the Boys, and the films You'll Never Get Rich and Follow the Fleet. In 1949, she teamed up with composer Arthur Schwartz to write the score for the musical A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which was based on the novel by Betty Smith. The musical was a critical and commercial success, and the song "Make the Man Love Me" became a popular hit. In the 1950s, Dorothy continued to write lyrics for musicals and films, including the musicals By the Beautiful Sea and Redhead, and the films Daddy Long Legs and The Band Wagon. In 1957, she teamed up with composer Cy Coleman to write the score for the musical Sweet Charity, which was based on the Federico Fellini film Nights of Cabiria. The musical was a huge success, and the song "Big Spender" became a popular hit. Throughout her career, Dorothy was known for her ability to write lyrics that were both clever and emotional. She had a talent for capturing the essence of a character or a situation in a few well-chosen words, and her lyrics were often praised for their wit and humor. She was also known for her collaborations with some of the greatest composers of her time, including Jerome Kern, Arthur Schwartz, and Cy Coleman. Dorothy Fields passed away on March 28, 1974, at the age of 68. She left behind a legacy of memorable songs and musicals that continue to be performed and enjoyed today. Her contributions to the world of musical theater and popular music have earned her a place among the great composers and lyricists of the 20th century.

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