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 76-100 of 167 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 48894 12-in. 8/19/1916 Take me to my Alabam' Prince's Band Band composer  
Columbia W140537 10-in. 4/17/1925 There's one born every minute Chester Gaylord Male vocal solo, with ukulele lyricist  
Columbia W142840 10-in. 10/19/1926 Pretty little thing Art Gillham Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia 142879 10-in. 10/27/1926 Pretty little thing Dolly Kay ; Phil Phillips Female vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia W143565 10-in. 3/2/1927 Pretty little thing Henry Lange Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W145871 10-in. 4/24/1928 Giggling Gertie Vaughn De Leath Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet songwriter  
Columbia 146436 10-in. 6/13/1928 Gotta big date with a little girl Ernest Hare ; Billy Jones Male vocal duet, with piano lyricist  
Columbia 147110 10-in. 10/5/1928 Do you? That's all I want to know! Happy Martin Male vocal solo, with alto saxophone, cornet, and piano lyricist  
Columbia W147143 10-in. 10/25/1928 Do you? That's all I want to know! Ipana Troubadours ; Sam Lanin Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W148691 10-in. 6/13/1929 Miss you Ben Selvin and his Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia [W]148722 10-in. 6/20/1929 Miss you Jack Carney ; Tom Clines and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia W148772 10-in. 7/1/1929 Song of the moonbeams Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia W148784 10-in. 7/3/1929 Miss you Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band lyricist  
Columbia [W]148813 10-in. 7/15/1929 Song of the moonbeams The Four Aces Male vocal quartet, with guitar and steel guitar lyricist  
Columbia W149921 10-in. 1/28/1930 Cooking breakfast for the one I love Ipana Troubadours ; Sam Lanin Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150138 10-in. 3/27/1930 Cooking breakfast for the one I love Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia W150628 10-in. 7/8/1930 It all comes out in the wash Rex King and his Sovereigns Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia W151302 10-in. 2/11/1931 It's a lonesome old town Campus Boys ; Ted Wallace Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio songwriter  
Columbia W151604 10-in. 6/15/1931 At your command Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia W151692 10-in. 7/17/1931 Sweet and lovely Carmen Lombardo ; Guy Lombardo ; Royal Canadians Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W151701 10-in. 7/23/1931 What is it? Smith Ballew and his Piping Rock Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia W151755 10-in. 8/26/1931 Sweet and lovely Frank Parker Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Columbia W151854 10-in. 10/13/1931 I'm sorry, dear Anson Weeks Orchestra ; Don Raymond Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W152045 10-in. 12/14/1931 I'm sorry, dear Red McKenzie Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Columbia W152133 10-in. 3/16/1932 Goodnight, my love Kassels-in-the-Air Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
(Results 76-100 of 167 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tobias, Harry," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105097.

Tobias, Harry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105097.

"Tobias, Harry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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