Songwriter Arthur Hamilton, renowned for composing the hit "Cry Me a River," passes away at 98 years old.
Arthur "Ace" Hamilton: A File on a Iconic Tunesmith
Say so long to the esteemed Arthur "Ace" Hamilton, the brilliant mind behind the classic standard Cry Me a River, who recently bid farewell at the venerable age of 98.
The curtains have come down on Hamilton following the announcements made by ASCAP and the Society of Composers and Lyricists earlier this week. The Washington Post wisely reported that Hamilton took his final breath on Wednesday, June 4, but details regarding the circumstances of his passing remain scarce.
Although he will forever be linked to the have-me-cry hit and myriad other heartfelt ballads, it's crucial to acknowledge that Hamilton's repertoire isn't limited to just Cry Me a River. His extensive catalog boasts classics such as Sing a Rainbow, He Needs Me, and a plethora of other treasured tracks. Among these, his Oscar-nominated Till Love Touches Your Life stand out for its profound impact, singing this tune in collaboration with composer Riz Ortolani[1].
In an intriguing twist, Till Love Touches Your Life didn't initially find its place in the limelight. It was initially penned for the big screen but, ironically, was nixed during the editing process. Nonetheless, Richard Harris stepped up to the plate and gave the awe-inspiring number the recognition it deserved.
But it wasn't Till Love Touches Your Life that catapulted Hamilton into the forefront of the music industry. That distinction goes to the sultry, melancholic Cry Me a River. Originally recorded by Ella Fitzgerald for the screen, the number never saw the light of day in the final cut of the film.However, Julie London took the torch and ignited its fire with her sultry, smoldering interpretation, immortalizing it on her 1955 debut album, Julie is Her Name. As a cherry on top, it hit No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100[2].
Just like London, Jack Webb felt the rhythm within Hamilton's tunes. Webb, who starred and directed Pete Kelly's Blues, recruited Hamilton to pen He Needs Me and Sing a Rainbow. Fate would have it that London, Hamilton's former prom date from their days at the Hollywood Professional School, would lend her voice to these iconic numbers.
It's worth noting that Hamilton is no stranger to industry accolades. His recognition went beyond the silver screen, with an Emmy nomination in 1993 for Good Things from Blind Spot and another in 1994 for Something Is Out There from The Corpse Has A Familiar Face[3].
Though the wistful, lilting notes of Cry Me a River will remain etched in our hearts, let's remember the extraordinary career of a visionary songwriter who significantly contributed to the world of jazz and popular music.[1] [2] [3]
The world mourns the loss of Ace Hamilton, a prolific songwriter whose work spans various genres, including jazz and popular music. Hamilton's repertoire extends beyond the hit song "Cry Me a River"; his catalog includes classics such as "Till Love Touches Your Life," as well as "He Needs Me" and "Sing a Rainbow." USA's entertainment industry recognized Hamilton's talent with Emmy nominations for his work in television.
