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.
Small Fry
Frank Loesser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Small fry, should be in the school room
My, my put down that cigarette
You ain't grown up high and mighty yet
Samll fry, dancin for a penny
Small fry, countin up how many
My, my just jlisten here to me
You ain't the biggest catfish in the sea
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes
You better listen to your (maw, pay)
and someday practice the law
and then you'll be a real success
Ys, small fry, (you) kissed the neighbor's daughter
Small fry, (should) stay in shallow water
Seems I should take you cross my knee
You ain't the biggest catfish in the sea
You've got your feet all soakin wet
You'll be the death of me yet
Oh me, oh my, small fry
The song Small Fry by Frank Loesser is a lighthearted, playful tune that gently chides a young child to grow up and behave more responsibly. The lyrics evoke the image of a precocious child who struts around like they own the room, but who really ought to be in school. The song warns the child not to smoke or think too highly of themselves, since they are still just a small fry who has a lot to learn about the world.
The tone of the song is both affectionate and humorous, with lines like "You ain't the biggest catfish in the sea" and "You'll be the death of me yet" reminding the listener that this is a song about a child who is still learning and growing. The lyrics suggest that the child has a lot of potential, but that they need to listen to their parents and work hard to become successful in life.
Overall, Small Fry is a charming and nostalgic song that captures the joy and innocence of childhood, while gently encouraging young listeners to strive for greatness in the years to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Small fry, struttin by the pool room
You are acting like a big shot, walking around the pool room.
Small fry, should be in the school room
You are a child and should be in school instead of playing around.
My, my put down that cigarette
You shouldn't smoke, because you are still too young and irresponsible.
You ain't grown up high and mighty yet
You still have a lot to learn, so don't act like you know everything.
Small fry, dancin for a penny
You are dancing for pennies, which shows how little you are worth.
Small fry, countin up how many
You are counting how many pennies you make, which is not a lot.
My, my just jlisten here to me
Listen to me, because I have more experience and wisdom than you do.
You ain't the biggest catfish in the sea
You are not the best or most important person around here.
You practice peckin all day long to eome old radio song
You are wasting your time practicing a song that is not important or meaningful.
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes
This is important, pay attention.
You better listen to your (maw, pay)
Listen to your mother and father, they know what is best for you.
and someday practice the law
Study hard, and become a lawyer, which will bring success and respect.
and then you'll be a real success
If you become a lawyer, you will be successful and important.
Yes, small fry, (you) kissed the neighbor's daughter
You did something inappropriate, like kissing the neighbor's daughter.
Small fry, (should) stay in shallow water
You should stick to things that are safe and easy for you to handle.
Seems I should take you cross my knee
I might have to give you a spanking to teach you a lesson.
You ain't the biggest catfish in the sea
You have a lot to learn and are not the most important person around here.
You've got your feet all soakin wet
You are in trouble and might get sick if you don't dry your feet.
You'll be the death of me yet
You are causing me trouble and stress, which might be the end of me.
Oh me, oh my, small fry
What am I going to do with you? You are causing me so much trouble.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: FRANK LOESSER, HOAGY CARMICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind