Gordon Clifford

Gordon Clifford (1902–1968) was an American lyricist who wrote music for Hollywood films in the 1930s. His best-known songs include Nacio Herb Brown's "Paradise", Alfred Newman's "Who Am I?" and Harry Barris's "It Must Be True" and "I Surrender Dear".

Clifford was born in Rhode Island and started studying the violin as a child. His first success as a songwriter came in the early 1930s, when Bing Crosby recorded "It Must Be True" and "I Surrender Dear" with Gus Arnheim's orchestra. The latter song has been recorded by many artists and is considered a jazz standard. Pola Negri sang Clifford and Nacio Herb Brown's "Paradise" in the 1931 film A Woman Commands. Although the film was unsuccessful, Bing Crosby's cover version of "Paradise" became a hit.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 28, 1902 (Providence), Died May 11, 1968 (Las Vegas)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, songwriter

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

Recordings (Results 26-41 of 41 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick E35163 10-in. 1/15/1931 It must be true Chester Gaylord Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick E35165 10-in. 1/15/1931 It must be true Sleepy Hall and his Collegians [Brunswick Studio Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick E36195 10-in. 2/27/1931 I surrender, dear Ross Colby Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick E36217 10-in. 3/4/1931 I surrender, dear Will Osborne and his Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick E36424 10-in. 3/29/1931 I surrender, dear Nick Lucas Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Brunswick XE36821 12-in. 6/26/1931 I surrender, dear Brunswick Concert Orchestra Orchestra, with mixed vocal quartet lyricist  
Brunswick E37177 10-in. 9/3/1931 Who am I? Jack Berger Hotel Astor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37201 10-in. 9/16/1931 Who am I? Jacques Renard Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick E37232 10-in. 9/30/1931 Was it wrong? Snooks Hotel Paramount Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick C8128-C8129 10-in. 9/27/1931 Was it wrong? Isham Jones Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) songwriter  
Brunswick LAE902 10-in. 11/14/1930 It must be true Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) lyricist  
Brunswick LAT909 10-in. 12/1/1930 It must be true Happy Chappies Male vocal duet lyricist  
Brunswick LAT911 10-in. 12/3/1930 Today there’s no tomorrow Bob Barker Male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick LA917 10-in. 1/16/1931 I surrender, dear Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) lyricist  
Brunswick LA955 10-in. 2/13/1931 I surrender, dear Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick LAT1001 12-in. 2/28/1931 I surrender, dear The Beverly Hills Ramblers Jazz/dance band lyricist  
(Results 26-41 of 41 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Clifford, Gordon," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/116320.

Clifford, Gordon. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/116320.

"Clifford, Gordon." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/116320

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