Bob Hilliard
b. 21 January 1918, New York, USA, d. 1 February 1971, Hollywood, California, USA. Hilliard was a lyricist for many popular songs from the mid-40s into the '60s. His first hit, with Dick Miles, came in 1946, when Frank Sinatra recorded their Coffee Song. The singer remembered it again on RING-A-DING-DING (1961), the first album for his own Reprise label. In the following year Hilliard contributed The Big Brass Band From Brazil and Civilization, with Carl Sigman, to the Broadway show ANGEL WITH WINGS. The latter song, sung by Elaine Stritch in the show, became a massive hit for Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters, Ray McKinley and Louis Prima. Hilliard's other '40s hits included A Strawberry Moon (Blue Barron), Careless Hands (with Sigman—revived by Des O'Connor in 1967) and Dear Hearts And Gentle People (a hit for Bing Crosby, Dennis Day, Gordon MacRae and others). In the '50s Hilliard wrote with Jule Styne for MICHAEL TODD'S PEEP SHOW(Stay With The Happy People) and HAZEL FLAGG (Every Street's A Boulevard In Old New York and How Do You Speak To An Angel?), which was made into one of Dean Martinand Jerry Lewis's best movies, LIVING IT UP (1954). Hilliard's other film work around that time included several songs, with Sammy Fain, for Disney's 1952 ALICE IN WONDERLAND (It's Late, Very Good Advice). Hilliard's other '50s songs included Dearie (with Dave Mann), Be My Life's Companion, Jealous Eyes, Bouquet Of Roses, Downhearted (a hit for Eddie Fisher), Sweet Forgiveness, ‘Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bells (with Mann) and Moonlight Gambler (with Phil Springer). In 1959 Hilliard had a hit with another novelty song, Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat, by Paul Evans in the US, and the Avons in the UK. In the early '60s, with the advent of the beat boom, his output declined, although he had some success with Tower Of Strength with Burt Bacharach), You're Following Me, My Summer Love, My Little Corner Of The World (with Le Pockriss) and Our Day Will Come (with Mort Garson), which was a US number 1 for Ruby And The Romantics. Hilliard's other songs included Don't You Believe It, Any Day Now, Red Silk Stockings And Green Perfume, The Thousand Islands Song, Chocolate Whiskey And Vanilla Gin, Castanets And Lace and Baby Come Home. His other collaborators included Dick Sanford and Sammy Mysels.