On the Sunny Side of the Street The Life and Lyrics of Dorothy Fields

The only woman to achieve major success as a songwriter during the golden age of the American musical, Dorothy Fields brought a genuinely feminine point of view to the writing of romantic lyrics. She wrote the words for more than 400 songs, among them unforgettable standards like "I'm in the Mood for Love", "On the Sunny Side of the Street", "A Fine Romance", and "The Way You Look Tonight". On the Sunny Side of the Street chronicles Dorothy's start in life as the daughter of vaudeville star Lew Fields, and her determination to break into show busines despite her parents' opposition. It brings to life her experiences working in New York and Hollywood from the roaring twenties to the rocking sixties and seventies, her friendships with legendary figures of the musical theatre, and her parallel existence as a wife and mother. Woven through the text is a generous sampling of her finest lyrics, never before collected in book form. In addition, comments by songwriters such as Fred Ebb, Sheldon Harnick, Burton Lane, and Stephen Sondheim and performers such as Rosemary Clooney and Michael Feinstein help to put the achievement of Dorothy Fields in perspective.