Harry Tobias

Harry Tobias (September 11, 1895 – December 15, 1994) was an American lyricist. Like his younger brother Charles, he is an inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Born in New York City, United States, but raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, he began writing songs in his teens. At the age of 19, he co-wrote his first successful songs, "That Girl of Mine" and "Take Me To My Alabam", with Will Dillon. After serving in the US Army, he returned to songwriting, co-writing the 1922 novelty hit, "Oo-oo, Ernest (Are You Earnest With Me?)". He often worked with his brothers Charles and Henry, writing songs with Charles for the Broadway show Earl Carroll's Sketch Book in 1929, and writing Rudy Vallee's hit "Miss You" with both brothers the same year. In 1931, he had success with the song "At Your Command", an early success for Bing Crosby, and also co-wrote "Sweet and Lovely", a hit for Russ Columbo. He wrote or co-wrote the theme songs for many films in the 1930s and 1940s, including One Rainy Afternoon (1936), The Young in Heart (1938), Made for Each Other (1939), If It Wasn't for The Moon (1940) and It's a Date (1940). His many co-writers included Gene Autry.

He died in St Louis, Missouri at age 99 on December 15, 1994. His interment was in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 11, 1895 (New York City), Died December 15, 1994 (St. Louis)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1916 - 1950

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, songwriter, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 126-150 of 168 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick E35773 10-in. 12/22/1930 It’s a lonesome old town (When you’re not around) Seger Ellis Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet songwriter  
Brunswick E35899 10-in. 1/7/1931 It’s a lonesome old town (When you’re not around) Ralph Bennett Seven Aces Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E35943 10-in. 1/21/1931 It’s a lonesome old town (When you’re not around) Art Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E36056 10-in. 2/11/1931 Gee! I’d love to be your sweetheart Mark Fisher’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E36848 10-in. 6/4/1931 At your command Sleepy Hall and his Collegians [Fred Rich Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick E36938 10-in. 7/24/1931 What is it? Connie Boswell Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick E36984 10-in. 7/21/1931 Sweet and lovely Ed Kirkeby Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37002 10-in. 8/4/1931 What is it? Dick Robertson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick E37005 10-in. 8/4/1931 Sweet and lovely Ben Bernie Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37156 10-in. 9/14/1931 Sweet and lovely Bing Crosby Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Brunswick E37202 10-in. 9/16/1931 What is it? Jacques Renard Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick E37249 10-in. 10/9/1931 Sweet and lovely Artie Dunn ; Les Reis Male vocal duet, with piano-accordion and celeste songwriter  
Brunswick E37253 10-in. 10/17/1931 I’m sorry, dear Jacques Renard Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37360 10-in. 11/19/1931 I’m sorry, dear Anthony Trini Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37440 10-in. 12/3/1931 I’m sorry, dear Bing Crosby Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Brunswick E30290-E30291 10-in. approximately 7/7/1929 Song of the moonbeams Colonial Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) lyricist  
Brunswick E31960-E31961 10-in. Jan. 1930 Cooking breakfast for the one I love Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick C6186 10-in. Nov. 1930 It’s a lonesome old town (Since you’re not around) Ben Bernie Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) songwriter  
Brunswick C8156 10-in. 10/6/1931 Sweet and lovely Lee Sims Piano solo songwriter  
Brunswick C7868-C7869 10-in. 6/18/1931 At your command Abe Lyman’s California Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) lyricist  
Brunswick LAE226 10-in. July 1928 Gotta big date with a little girl Anthony Galla-Rini Accordion solo, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick LAE805 10-in. 5/26/1930 When it’s harvest time (Sweet Angeline) Beverly Hillbillies Male vocal duet songwriter  
Brunswick LAE874 10-in. 9/19/1930 The wedding of the birds Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) lyricist  
Brunswick LA1038 10-in. 5/5/1931 I’m gonna get you Abe Lyman’s California Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick LA1040 10-in. 5/5/1931 Has de ser mia Orquesta de Abe Lyman Jazz/dance band songwriter  
(Results 126-150 of 168 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tobias, Harry," accessed November 5, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/105097.

Tobias, Harry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/105097.

"Tobias, Harry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 5 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/105097

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