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 New York City (most populous city in the United States), Died December 15, 1994 (St. Louis (independent city in Missouri, United States) )

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 151-175 of 179 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
Brunswick LA1051 10-in. 6/24/1931 At your command Bing Crosby Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Brunswick LA1030-LA1031 10-in. 4/22/1931 I’m gonna get you Abe Lyman’s California Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) songwriter  
Brunswick TCL1516 10-in. 8/14/1931 What is it? Dixie Lee Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Brunswick TCL1524 10-in. 9/25/1931 What is it? Vivian Janis Female vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick TCL1527 10-in. 10/7/1931 At your command Doris Sharp Female vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick DAL459 10-in. 6/24/1937 Rocky mountain express Saddle Tramps String band, with male vocal trio lyricist  
Brunswick DAL508 10-in. 5/12/1938 Here comes your pappy (with the wrong kind of load) Nite Owls String band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick DAL670 10-in. 12/2/1938 It's a lonesome old town (when you're not around) Nite Owls String band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick LA1531 10-in. 11/24/1937 Sail along, silv'ry moon Gene Autry Male vocal solo, with violin, guitar, steel guitar, and string bass lyricist  
Brunswick LA2315 10-in. 8/21/1940 There'll never be another pal like you Gene Autry Male vocal solo, with string band songwriter  
Edison 8242 10-in. 10/5/1921 Mary O'Brien James Doherty Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 8874 10-in. 3/9/1923 Keep off my shoes Kaplan's Melodists Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 9381 10-in. 2/19/1924 Just like a baby James Doherty ; Top Notchers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Edison 11889 10-in. 9/14/1927 Blow, blow, blow (On your old harmonica, Joe) Vaughn De Leath Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band lyricist  
Edison 18571 10-in. 6/7/1928 Giggling Gertie Vaughn De Leath Female vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison 18577 10-in. 6/13/1928 Gotta big date with a little girl Frank Wallace Male vocal solo, with saxophone and ukulele lyricist  
Edison 19278 10-in. 7/5/1929 Miss you Phil Spitalny's Music Jazz/dance band, with female vocal duet lyricist  
Edison N-294 10-in. 6/7/1928 Giggling Gertie Vaughn De Leath Female vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Edison N-1002 10-in. 7/5/1929 Miss you Phil Spitalny's Music Jazz/dance band, with female vocal duet lyricist  
Edison N-1005 10-in. 7/5/1929 Song of the moonbeams B. A. Rolfe Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
(Results 151-175 of 179 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tobias, Harry," accessed January 7, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105097.

Tobias, Harry. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 7, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105097.

"Tobias, Harry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 7 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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