Gene de Paul

Gene Vincent de Paul was born on June 17, 1919, in New York City and received early training as a classical pianist. He began his professional life as a piano teacher before joining dance orchestras and vocal groups as a pianist and arranger. By the early 1940s, he shifted his focus to composing, joining ASCAP in 1941 and beginning a prolific career in Hollywood’s musical film industry.

During the 1940s and 1950s, de Paul composed music for numerous Hollywood films, showcasing his versatility across genres. He contributed songs to movies such as Hellzapoppin’, A Date with Judy, So Dear to My Heart, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and Alice in Wonderland. Over the course of his career, he collaborated with lyricists including Don Raye, Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, Carolyn Leigh, and Charles Rinker.

Among de Paul’s most enduring songs are “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” “I’ll Remember April,” “Star Eyes,” “Cow Cow Boogie,” and the standard “Teach Me Tonight,” written with Sammy Cahn in 1953. He also composed the score for the 1954 musical film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. When adapted for Broadway, the score earned him a Tony Award nomination and cemented his reputation as a leading composer for both film and theatre.

In 1956, de Paul further demonstrated his range by composing the music for the Broadway musical Li’l Abner, again collaborating with Johnny Mercer. The show’s songs, including “Namely You,” were praised for their melodic charm and wit. This work reinforced his ability to transition seamlessly between the worlds of stage and screen.

Gene de Paul passed away on February 27, 1988, in Northridge, California, at the age of 68. His music has been recorded by a wide range of artists, from Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles to Al Jarreau and Phoebe Snow. Through his memorable melodies and contributions to both the American Songbook and musical theatre, his work continues to captivate audiences decades after his passing.