Lew Brown

Lew Brown (born Louis Brownstein; December 10, 1893 – February 5, 1958) was a lyricist for popular songs in the United States. During World War I and the Roaring Twenties, he wrote lyrics for several of the top Tin Pan Alley composers, especially Albert Von Tilzer. Brown was one third of a successful songwriting and music publishing team with Buddy DeSylva and Ray Henderson from 1925 until 1931. Brown also wrote or co-wrote many Broadway shows and Hollywood films. Among his most-popular songs are "Button Up Your Overcoat", "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree", "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries", "That Old Feeling", and "The Birth of the Blues".

Early life and family Brown was born December 10, 1893, in Odessa, Russian Empire, part of today's Ukraine, the son of Etta (Hirsch) and Jacob Brownstein. His family was Jewish. When he was five, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School but he left, at the suggestion of a teacher, to pursue his songwriting career without graduating.

Lew Brown was married first to Sylvia Fiske, then to Catherine "June" Brown until his death. He had two daughters from his first marriage, Naomi Brown Greif and Arlyne Brown Mulligan who was married to the prominent jazz saxophonist Gerry Mulligan.

Career

Brown started writing for Tin Pan Alley in 1912 and collaborated with established composers, like Albert Von Tilzer. Two of their well-known works that year were "(I'm Going Back to) Kentucky Sue" and "I'm the Lonesomest Gal in Town". Brown then wrote a string of popular World War I songs during 1914–1918, teaming with Von Tilzer, Al Harriman, and other composers. "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Von Tilzer, DeSylva, Brown and Henderson were all included in the inaugural class of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Biographical film The DeSylva, Brown and Henderson songwriting team was the subject of the 1956 musical biopic: The Best Things in Life Are Free, produced by the Ephrons and based on a storyline by John O'Hara, who would have met and known them in twenties New York. Brown, who was still living when the film came out, was portrayed somewhat unflatteringly as being the most pugnacious and flawed of the trio by lookalike Ernest Borgnine.

Death Brown died of a heart attack at home in New York City on February 5, 1958.

Individual songs

Cecil Mack and Lew Brown, "Shine". Music: Ford Dabney. 1910. Albert Von Tilzer and Lew Brown. "(I'm Going Back to) Kentucky Sue". New York: The York Music Co., 1912. Albert Von Tilzer and Lew Brown. "I'm The Lonesomest Gal In Town". New York: The York Music Co., 1912. "I'll Come Back to You When It's All Over". Music: Kerry Mills. 1917. Lew Brown and Al Harriman. "I Wonder What They're Doing To-Night (Your Girl and Mine)". Music: Jack Egan. New York, 1918. Al Harriman and Lew Brown. "We'll Do Our Share (While You're Over There)". Music: Jack Egan. New York, 1918.

George White's Scandals of 1925 – revue – co-lyricist George White's Scandals of 1926 – revue – co-lyricist Good News (1927) – musical – co-lyricist Manhattan Mary (1927) – musical – contributing composer, lyricist, bookwriter George White's Scandals of 1928 – revue – co-lyricist Hold Everything! (1928) – musical – co-lyricist Three Cheers (1928) – musical – contributing lyricist The Singing Fool (1928) – musical film – co-lyricist Sunny Side Up (1929) – musical film – co-lyricist, co-bookwriter Follow Thru (1929) – musical – co-lyricist Follow Thru (1930) – musical film – co-lyricist Flying High (1930) – musical – co-lyricist Flying High (1931) – musical film – co-lyricist George White's Scandals of 1931 – revue – lyricist Indiscreet (1931) – comedy film – co-producer, co-writer, co-lyricist Hot-Cha! (1932) – musical – lyricist, co-bookwriter Strike Me Pink (1933) – revue – co-producer, lyricist, co-writer, production co-supervisor Calling All Stars (1934) – revue – producer, co-writer, lyricist, co-director, production supervisor Stand Up and Cheer! (1934) – musical film – associate producer, co-composer, lyricist, co-bookwriter Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938 – featured co-songwriter for "That Old Feeling" Yokel Boy (1939) – musical – producer, director, bookwriter, co-composer, co-lyricist Crazy With the Heat (1941) – revue – director Good News (1947) – musical film – co-lyricist Mr. Wonderful (1956) – musical – featured co-songwriter for "The Birth of the Blues"

Posthumous credits Good News (1974 revision/revival) – co-composer, co-lyricist Big Deal (1986) – musical – featured co-songwriter for "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" and "Button Up Your Overcoat" Fosse (1999) – revue – featured co-songwriter for "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" Swing! (1999) – revue – featured co-songwriter for "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree"