Johnny Burke (lyricist)
| Johnny Burke | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | John Francis Burke |
| Born |
October 3, 1908 Antioch, California |
| Origin | Antioch, California, U.S.A. |
| Died | February 25, 1964 (aged 55) New York City, New York |
| Genres | Popular music |
| Occupation(s) | Lyricist |
| Years active | 1926–1964 |
| Labels | Paramount Pictures |
| Associated acts |
Harold Spina Arthur Johnston Jimmy Van Heusen Bing Crosby Bob Haggart |
John Francis "Johnny" Burke (October 3, 1908 – February 25, 1964) was a lyricist, widely regarded as one of the finest writers of popular songs in America between the 1920s and 1950s.
His song "Swinging on a Star", from the Bing Crosby film Going My Way, won an Academy Award for Best Song in 1944.
Burke was born in Antioch, California. When still young, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Burke's father founded a construction business. As a youth, Burke studied piano and drama. He attended Crane College and then the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he played piano in the orchestra.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1927, Burke joined the Chicago office of the Irving Berlin Publishing Company in 1926 as a pianist and song salesman. He also played piano in dance bands and vaudeville.
Irving Berlin Publishing transferred Burke to its New York City office, where he began to write lyrics in collaboration with composer Harold Spina. In 1932, they wrote "Shadows on the Swanee", followed in 1933 by "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore", their first big hit for the Guy Lombardo Orchestra. In 1934, Burke and Spina wrote "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew", which was a novelty hit for Fats Waller, as was "My Very Good Friend, the Milkman". Burke and Spina wrote many songs that were played by leading bands of the day, including those led by Ben Pollack, Paul Whiteman and Ozzie Nelson. 1936 saw the end of the Burke - Spina partnership, as Burke left for Hollywood.
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