Arthur Hamilton

Arthur Hamilton (born c.1926) is an American songwriter, who is best known for writing the song "Cry Me a River", first published in 1953 and most famously recorded by Julie London in 1955.

He was born in Seattle, Washington, the son of songwriter Jack Stern (1896-1985).^[1] He learned piano as a child, and also studied music theory and counterpoint.^[2]

In 1949 he wrote an early live television musical for KTTV in Los Angeles. He also worked for a music publishing company.^[1] In 1953, he contributed three songs to the film Pete Kelly's Blues, including "Sing A Rainbow" and "He Needs Me", sung by Peggy Lee. However, Hamilton's third song, "Cry Me A River", sung by Ella Fitzgerald, was dropped from the film. The song's first release and most famous recording was by actress and singer Julie London in 1955.^[1][3] Her performance of the song in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It helped to make it a million-selling hit, reaching # 9 in the US Billboard chart and # 22 in the UK.

His compositions have been recorded by Dinah Washington, Harry Connick Jr., Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Ray Charles, Diana Krall, The Dells (whose version of "Sing a Rainbow" was an international hit in 1969), and others.^[2] He has also been nominated for an Oscar, two Emmys, and a Golden Globe.^[3] He was until 2007 a Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Music Branch).^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Arthur Hamilton at IMDB
2. ^ ^{a b} Arthur Hamilton at Tritone Press
3. ^ ^{a b} Alan Ross Fleishman site: Arthur Hamilton