During World War II, he wrote 1942's "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition". Formerly a successful lyricist in collaboration with other composers, this was the first song for which Loesser composed the melody in addition to the lyric.
Loesser was awarded a Grammy Award in 1961 for Best Original Cast Show Album for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.
He wrote the following Broadway musicals:
* Where's Charley? (1948) (starring Ray Bolger)
o "Once in Love With Amy"
* Guys and Dolls (1950)
o "A Bushel and a Peck"
o "Fugue for Tinhorns"
o "I'll Know"
o "If I Were A Bell", a favorite of Miles Davis, featured in recordings with John Coltrane
o "Luck Be a Lady Tonight"
* The Most Happy Fella (1956)
o "Standing on the Corner"
o "Big D"
o "Somebody Somewhere"
o "Joey, Joey"
* Greenwillow (1960)
* How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (1961)
o "I Believe In You"
o "The Brotherhood Of Man"
* Pleasures and Palaces (1965)
Some well-known songs he composed for movies and Tin Pan Alley:
* "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from Neptune's Daughter (1949). This was originally a song which Loesser and his wife Lynn (born Blankenbaker) performed at parties for the private entertainment of friends. They also recorded the song for Mercury Records. Under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to supply a full score for Neptune's Daughter, Loesser included this song which he had created in 1944, originally for their housewarming party.
* "Heart and Soul" (from the Paramount Short Subject A Song is Born) -- lyrics
* "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (from the Paramount Pictures motion picture Sweater Girl)
* "Inch Worm" (from the motion picture Hans Christian Andersen)
* "(I'd Like to Get You on a) Slow Boat to China"
* "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year" (from the motion picture Christmas Holiday)
* "Thumbelina" (from Hans Christian Andersen)
* "Two Sleepy People" (music by Hoagy Carmichael, 1938)
* "What are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
* "Wonderful Copenhagen" (from Hans Christian Andersen), which is now the official song of the city of Copenhagen.
He was also the author of "The Ballad of Rodger Young".
2006 saw the release of the PBS documentary, Heart & Soul: The Life and Music of Frank Loesser.
Fugue for Tinhorns
Frank Loesser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The name is Paul Revere,
And here's a guy that says if the weather's clear,
Can do,
Can do,
This guys says the horse can do,
If he says the horse can do,
Can do,
Can do.
Can do,
Can do,
This guy says the horse can do
If he says the horse can do,
Can do,
Can do.
For Paul Revere I'll bite,
I hear his foot's all right.
Of course it all depends if it rained last night.
Likes mud,
Likes mud,
This "x" means the horse likes mud,
If that means the horse likes mud,
Likes mud,
Likes mud.
I'll tell you Paul Revere,
Now this is no bum steer,
It's from a handicapper that's real sincere.
This guy says the horse shows class,
Can do,
Can do,
Paul Revere,
I got the horse right here.
I'm picking Valentine,
'Cause on the morning line,
This guy has got him figured at five to nine
Has chance,
Has chance,
This guy says the horse has chance,
If he says the horse has chance,
Has chance,
Has chance.
I know it's Valentine,
The morning works looks fine.
Besides the Jockey's brother's a friend of mine.
Needs race,
Needs race,
My friend says the horse needs race.
If he says the horse needs race,
Needs race,
Needs race.
I go for Valentine,
'Cause on the morning line,
The guy has got him figured at five to nine.
Has chance,
Has chance,
This guy says the horse has chance.
Valentine,
I got the horse right here.
But look at Epitaph,
He wins it by a half,
According to this here in the Telegraph,
Big threat,
Big threat,
This guy calls the horse big threat.
If he calls the horse big threat,
Big threat
Big threat.
And just a minute boys,
I've got the feed box noise,
It says the great grandfather was Equipoise.
Shows class,
Shows class,
This guy says the horse shows class,
If he says the horse shows class,
Shows class,
Shows class.
So make it Epitaph,
He wins it by a half,
According to this here in the Telegraph.
Epitaph
I got the horse right here.
The song "Fugue for Tinhorns" is a lively, fast-paced tune from the musical Guys and Dolls. The lyrics follow three men who are trying to decide which horse to bet on, each trying to convince the others to pick their choice. The song is full of horse racing jargon and slang, making it a fun and complex piece to interpret.
The first verse introduces us to the singer's choice, a horse named Paul Revere. The singer cites a man who says the horse can do well, and notes that he likes mud. The second verse focuses on a horse named Valentine, who is predicted to have good odds on the morning line. The singer notes that the jockey's brother is a friend, adding to the sense of insider knowledge. Finally, the third verse introduces a horse named Epitaph, who is described as a "big threat" and as having "class."
Despite the simple structure, this song is interesting because of how well it captures the world of horse racing. The slang used is authentic, and the different characters all have unique voices and reasons for their choices. The song is also noteworthy for its use of a fugue, a complex musical structure that interweaves different melodies and voices.
Line by Line Meaning
I got the horse right here,
I have specific information on a horse that I will be sharing.
The name is Paul Revere,
The name of the horse I will be sharing information on is Paul Revere.
And here's a guy that says if the weather's clear, Can do, Can do,
I have heard a reliable source say that if the weather is clear, the horse can perform well.
This guys says the horse can do, If he says the horse can do, Can do, Can do.
The reliable source claims that the horse is capable of performing well and I believe it.
Can do, Can do, This guy says the horse can do If he says the horse can do, Can do, Can do.
The reliable source insists that the horse can perform well, and I trust their opinion.
For Paul Revere I'll bite, I hear his foot's all right.
I am convinced that Paul Revere might be a good choice to bet on, as I have heard that he is in good health.
Of course it depends if it rained last night.
However, the horse's performance might be affected if it rained last night.
Likes mud, Likes mud, This "x" means the horse likes mud, If that means the horse likes mud, Likes mud, Likes mud.
I have heard that Paul Revere performs well in muddy conditions and that could be advantageous.
I'll tell you Paul Revere, Now this is no bum steer, It's from a handicapper that's real sincere.
I want to assure you that the information I received is trustworthy, as it is from an honest and experienced handicapper.
This guy says the horse shows class, Can do, Can do, Paul Revere, I got the horse right here.
The reliable source claims that Paul Revere is a quality horse, and I am confident in betting on him.
I'm picking Valentine, 'Cause on the morning line, This guy has got him figured at five to nine, Has chance, Has chance.
I am considering betting on Valentine as well, as I have heard from a reliable source that he has a good chance of winning as he is favored at five to nine odds.
This guy says the horse has chance, If he says the horse has chance, Has chance, Has chance.
The reliable source insists that Valentine has the talent and ability to win the race.
I know it's Valentine, The morning works looks fine, Besides the Jockey's brother's a friend of mine, Needs race, Needs race.
I am even more confident in betting on Valentine because the horse's morning workout suggests he is in good form, the jockey's brother is my friend, and I have heard that he needs this race to shine.
I go for Valentine, 'Cause on the morning line, The guy has got him figured at five to nine, Has chance, Has chance.
Based on all of the favorable information I have received about Valentine, I am placing a bet on him as well.
But look at Epitaph, He wins it by a half, According to this here in the Telegraph, Big threat, Big threat.
I am considering betting on Epitaph as well, after reading in the Telegraph that he won his most recent race by a half-length and is considered a major threat to win.
This guy calls the horse big threat, If he calls the horse big threat, Big threat, Big threat.
I trust the source that claims Epitaph is a major contender for first place.
And just a minute boys, I've got the feed box noise, It says the great grandfather was Equipoise, Shows class, Shows class.
I have just received more valuable information about Epitaph, stating that his great grandfather was the legendary horse Equipoise, and he, therefore, must have inherited the ability to "show class" or perform well in races.
So make it Epitaph, He wins it by a half, According to this here in the Telegraph, Epitaph, I got the horse right here.
Based on all of the positive information I have received about Epitaph, I am now convinced that he is the best bet to win, and I am ready to place a bet on him.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind