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Grant Clarke

1891 – 1931

American songwriter

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About Grant Clarke

Lived 1891 – 1931 (aged 40). Grant Clarke was an American composer, songwriter, lyricist, music publisher and actor.

Grant Clarke (May 14, 1891, Akron, Ohio – May 16, 1931, California) was an American songwriter.

Clarke moved to New York City early in his career, where he worked as an actor and a staff writer for comedians. He began working on Tin Pan Alley, where he contributed music to films such as The Jazz Singer (1927), Weary River (1928), On with the Show! (1929) and Is Everybody Happy? (1929).

He wrote the lyrics to the show Dixie to Broadway, and also contributed to the 1921 Ziegfeld Follies and Bombo. Later in his career he became a charter member of ASCAP and was successful in the music publishing business.

Clarke was the author of the lyrics to many popular songs of the 1910s and 1920s, among them "Second Hand Rose" and "Am I Blue?", working with composers such as George W. Meyer, Harry Akst, James V. Monaco, Al Piantadosi, Fred Fisher, Harry Warren, Arthur Johnston, James Hanley, Lewis F. Muir and Milton Ager.

Selected songs "Ragtime Cowboy Joe", which Clarke co-wrote with Lewis F. Muir A list of Clarke's most prominent works: "Dat's Harmony" (1911) "Ragtime Cowboy Joe" (1912) "He'd Have to Get Under – Get Out and Get Under" (1913) "When You're in Love With Someone" (1915) "You're A Dangerous Girl" (1916) "In the Land of Beginning Again" (1918) "Everything is Peaches Down in Georgia" (1918) "Second Hand Rose" (1921) "Oogie Oogie Wa Wa" (1922) "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face" (1921) "I'm a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird" (1924) "Am I Blue?" (1929)

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Important facts

People in Grant Clarke's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Grant Clarke's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Grant Clarke?

American songwriter (1891-1931)

When was Grant Clarke born?

Grant Clarke was born on 14 May 1891 in Akron.

When did Grant Clarke die?

Grant Clarke died on 16 May 1931 in California.

What was Grant Clarke's occupation?

Grant Clarke was a composer, songwriter, lyricist, music publisher and actor.

What nationality was Grant Clarke?

Grant Clarke was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Grant Clarke

· Wikidata: Q5596141

· DBpedia: Grant Clarke

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Grant Clarke. https://biography.guide/grant-clarke/

MLA: "Grant Clarke." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/grant-clarke/.

Chicago: "Grant Clarke." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/grant-clarke/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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