POST SCRIPT - HAROLD ARLEN WHO?
I could not complete Harold Arlen's biography without saying a few words about him myself. In my opinion, there's no finer composer in the world than the great Harold Arlen.
Despite the sheer number of songs that he wrote and the popularity of so many of them still today, it amazes me that so many people are unaware of who Harold Arlen is. Hopefully you have just finished reading this biography, have browsed the other pages of this site, and now know a lot about this talented composer. But there are so many out there who just don't know his name, even though they do know his music.
Ask anyone about The Wizard of Oz - even if they haven't seen the movie (there are a few people who actually haven't seen it), everyone knows the song Over the Rainbow. But do they know who wrote it? Not a chance!
While doing research for the site, I noticed time and time again how Harold Arlen's songs were mentioned but his name was not credited. For example, probably the most offensive omission was in the press release for when Over the Rainbow was named the Number One Song of the 20th Century. The release never mentions Harold Arlen's name. It does, however, list the name of the composer of every other song mentioned in the article. "Why is that?" - I have to ask myself. And I am not alone. Countless people who know about Harold Arlen and his music also ponder the same question: "How can such a prolific songwriter who has added so much to American music be so blatantly overlooked? Why is so little credit ever given to this man - an equal to great composers like Gershwin, Berlin and Porter and who was regarded as such by them as well?" I'm not really sure why. It was this way even during Harold's lifetime.
Take, for instance, this interesting story Edward Jablonski includes in his book Harold Arlen: Happy with the Blues.
One day Harold was taking a taxicab ride cross-town in Manhattan. After he had settled in his seat, he found himself confronted by a classic situation. The cabby was whistling Stormy Weather, an Arlen standard dating back to the Thirties. It was an opportunity for experiment that the composer could not ignore.
"Do you know who wrote that song?" he asked the driver.
"Sure. Irving Berlin."
"Wrong," Arlen informed him, "but I'll give you two more guesses."
The cabby thought hard, and at times audibly if not understandably explaining that the name of the composer was on the tip of his tongue but he just couldn't come up with it.
Arlen prompted him: "Richard Rodgers?"
"That is the name I was thinking of," the cabby admitted, "but he's not the one."
"How about Cole Porter?"
" That's who!"
"No, you're wrong again," Arlen told him. "I wrote the song."
The cab darted across an intersection before the driver, still thinking, finally asked, "Who are you?"
"Harold Arlen."
At this the cabby turned around in his seat and asked, "Who?"
I am not sure why Harold Arlen's name is not as well recognized as his music. I am, however, sure that it won't always be this way. S.A. Music Co. and I have dedicated our work - and our lives - to honoring Harold Arlen and his music. We hope that you will keep your ears open for Harold Arlen's songs and your eyes open for his name. Please feel free to contact us to get involved in educational programs and performances and to see how you, your school or business can be part of the tribute to this great American composer. In the meantime, tell others about this site. Help us spread the word - Harold Arlen.
I hope you enjoyed reading the Biography of Harold Arlen. Hopefully you found it not only entertaining, but also informative. And so when people mention the name "Harold Arlen" - now you know who!
Sharon Zak Marotta, Esq.
Esq Enterprises, LLC.
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