Eddie Snyder

Edward Abraham Snyder (February 22, 1919 – March 10, 2011) was an American composer and songwriter. Snyder is credited with co-writing the English language lyrics and music for Frank Sinatra's 1966 hit, "Strangers in the Night".[1]

Snyder was born in New York City on February 22, 1919.[1] He studied piano at the Juilliard School before taking a job as a songwriter at the Brill Building.[1]

Biography

The music for Strangers in the Night was written by Croatian composer Ivo Robic, but when it failed to gain recognition in the song festival for which it had been composed, Robic sold the rights to German bandleader and composer Bert Kaempfert, who used it in the satirical spy film A Man Could Get Killed. Snyder collaborated with American lyricist Charles Singleton, although Snyder insisted that he also contributed to the final music form, and the song is now credited to all four.[1]

"Strangers in the Night" was recorded first by Jack Jones in April 1966, but the most popular version was recorded by Frank Sinatra three days later. At the session an angry Sinatra turned on guitarist Glen Campbell, who had been brought in at the last moment. Campbell did not know the song and busked his way through the first take while listening to the tune. Sinatra was used to recording in a single take, and when told he would have to sing it again, he glared at Campbell and shouted, "Is that guy with us or is he sleeping?". On take two Sinatra improvised "doo-bie-doo-bie-doo" at the end. In the 1966 recording, the improvisation fades prematurely, but in a remastered version it continues for an additional nine seconds. Sinatra detested the song and often expressed his distaste when performing it in concert.[1]

"Strangers in the Night" has been performed an estimated four million times since Sinatra recorded his version. The song won Snyder a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in a Film in 1966.[1] Snyder composed "Spanish Eyes" for Al Martino in 1965, which became a hit in the United Kingdom in 1973.[1] In 1966 he wrote "Every Now and Then" for Doris Day with composer Richard Ahlert.

Death

Eddie Snyder died on March 10, 2011 in Lakeland, Florida, at the age of 92.[1]

Selected songs

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Eddie Snyder obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 2011-03-31. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
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