Carl Sigman

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Carl Sigman (1909 to 2000) was an American songwriter, born in Crown Heights in Brooklyn into a Jewish-American family. He studied law and passed the bar exam, but, encouraged by his friend Johnny Mercer, chose to write songs instead. In the Second World War he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Africa.

Music and breakthrough

Sigman also wrote melodies, but was above all a lyricist. He worked with Bob Hilliard, Bob Russell, Jimmy van Heusen and Duke Ellington. In the big-band era he wrote material for orchestras such as those of Glenn Miller and Guy Lombardo, including Pennsylvania 6-5000. His songs also became hits for singers: My Heart Cries for You was recorded in 1951 by Dinah Shore, Guy Mitchell and Vic Damone. Ebb Tide was a hit for Frank Chacksfield and reached the American top ten in 1965 with the Righteous Brothers. In 1958 Tommy Edwards had a number one with It's All in the Game, with Sigman's lyrics set to music that Charles Gates Dawes had written in 1912. He also wrote English lyrics for songs from other languages, such as Answer Me, Till, The Day the Rains Came, You're My World and What Now My Love? He became best known for Where Do I Begin, the theme song of Love Story.

Influence

In 1972 Sigman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He shows how important a lyricist is to the great standards of popular music.

Listening

In School of Rock

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