Bob Hilliard

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Bob Hilliard (28 January 1918 [1] — 1 February 1971 [2]) was an American lyricist, born in New York.

[edit] Career

After attending New York secondary schools, Hilliard began work as a lyricist on Tin Pan Alley. Beginning in the 1930s through the 1950s, Hilliard co-wrote such hits as:-

"A Poor Man's Roses (or a Rich Man's Gold)"
"A Strawberry Moon"
"Any Day Now"
"Be My Life's Companion"
"The Big Brass Band from Brazil"
"Civilization" aka "Bongo, Bongo, Bongo"
"The Coffee Song"
"Dear Hearts and Gentle People"
"Dearie"
"Don't You Believe It".
"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning"
"Mexican Divorce"
"Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket"
"Please Stay"
"Seven Little Girls (Sitting in the Back Seat)"
"The Thousand Islands Song"
"Tower of Strength"
"(Why Did I Tell You I Was Going to) Shanghai"

In the early 1960s, Hilliard had another success as joint composer of "Our Day Will Come". The song became a # 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1963 for Ruby & the Romantics.

He also experienced success on Broadway with Angel in the Wings and Hazel Flagg. However, he is probably most celebrated as the lyricist for the film score to Alice in Wonderland. This included providing the words to the song - "I'm Late".

Throughout his career, Hilliard collaborated with many composers and lyricists including Burt Bacharach, Carl Sigman, Jule Styne, Mort Garson, Sammy Mysels, Dick Sanford, Milton DeLugg, Philip Springer, Lee Pockriss and Sammy Fain.

Married to Jacqueline Dalya [3], Hilliard was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983.

Bob Hilliard died, at the age of 53, in Hollywood, California, on 1 February 1971.[4]