Johnny Burke is one of the all-time great lyricists. Even his relatively minor songs, like this one from Paramount's _East Side of Heaven_ , are beautifully constructed, with a verse that cleverly sets up the story in the refrain. His Tin Pan Alley partnership with composer Harold Spina produced some gems, including a couple of hits for the great Fats Waller, "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew" and "My Very Good Friend, the Milkman." Upon arriving in Hollywood, he teamed up with Arthur Johnston for the Universal Crosby picture, _Pennies From Heaven_ and, as they say, the rest was history. Bing, an astute judge of quality, made him his personal lyricist and Burke signed a contract to work exclusively with Paramount, Bing's home studio. In Bing, Johnny Burke found the perfect interpreter for his stories. This side displays the magic in the Crosby-Burke association.
Johnny Burke is one of the all-time great lyricists. Even his relatively minor songs, like this one from Paramount's _East Side of Heaven_ , are beautifully constructed, with a verse that cleverly sets up the story in the refrain. His Tin Pan Alley partnership with composer Harold Spina produced some gems, including a couple of hits for the great Fats Waller, "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew" and "My Very Good Friend, the Milkman." Upon arriving in Hollywood, he teamed up with Arthur Johnston for the Universal Crosby picture, _Pennies From Heaven_ and, as they say, the rest was history. Bing, an astute judge of quality, made him his personal lyricist and Burke signed a contract to work exclusively with Paramount, Bing's home studio. In Bing, Johnny Burke found the perfect interpreter for his stories. This side displays the magic in the Crosby-Burke association.