Carl Sigman in the News
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GoldMine Magazine, September, 6, 2002
classic Carl Sigman song catalog...
By William Ruhlmann

Michael Sigman, son of the late songwriter Carl Sigman (born Sept. 24, 19009; died Sept. 26, 2000) and president of Major Songs, his father's publishing firm, announced in July 2002 that he had assigned Bug Music to administer Major Songs' copyrights in the U. S. and Canada.

Carl Sigman, author of more than 800 songs, is one of those songwriters better known by the titles of his hits rather than by his own name. Primarily a lyricist, between 1940-1971, he co-wrote nine songs that resulted in recordings that became Top 10 hits in the U.S.: "Pennsylvania 6-5000" for Glenn Miller And His Orchestra in 1940; "Ballerina" for Vaughn Monroe in 1947 and for Buddy Clark, Bing Crosby, and Jimmy Dorsey, all in 1948; "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)" for Guy Lombardo And His Orchestra in 1950; "My Heart Cries For You" for Guy Mitchell, Vic Damone, and Dinah Shore, all in 1951; "Ebb Tide" for Frank Chacksfield and Damone, both in 1953, and the Righteous Brothers in 1965; "It's All In The Game" for Tommy Edwards in 1958; "Losing You" for Brenda Lee in 1963; and "Where Do I Begin (Theme from Love Story)" for Andy Williams in 1971.

Sigman's songs have been performed by major artists in various genres of popular music, includng the Andrews Sisters, Louis Armstrong, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Merle Haggard, Billie Holiday, Tom Jones, Dean Martin, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Elvis Presley, and Linda Ronstadt.

Frank Sinatra recorded more Sigman compositions than any other singer, beginning with "Love Lies" when he was with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra in 1940 and continuing with "Ebb Tide," (from Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely, in 1958), "What Now My Love," (That's Life, in 1966), and "The World We Knew (Over And Over)," a Top 40 Pop and #1 Easy Listening hit in 1967, among others.

Sigman collaborated with major songwriters such as Johnny Mercer, James Van Heusen, and Michel Legrand. Sigman also specialized in writing English lyrics to foreign-language songs as well as adding lyrics to instrumentals, such that his list of co-writers extends to Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Becaud, Jacques Brel, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner, and Coleman Hawkins.

"I'm delighted to be working with Bug," said Michael Sigman. "Their extraordinary strength and reputation in rock, roots, blues, and country will help broaden our range of opportunities, while our catalog adds breadth and depth to their enterprise."

David Hirshland, Bug's vice president of business and legal affairs, is equally enthusiastic. "Our association with Major songs and the Carl Sigman catalog represents a wonderful opportunity for Bug Music," he said. "We're looking forward to doing whatever is called for to revitalize the catalog and bring it before a new generation of artists. This catalog is a treasure trove of great songs, and we're very proud to be working closely with Mike on behalf of Carl Sigman's musical legacy."

In the immediate future, Bug will be demoing lesser-known Sigman compositions to pitch to Nashville artists. Also, veteran record executive Gregg Geller is preparing a 60-track, three-CD promotional box set overview of Sigman's career, with liner notes by David McGee.

(c) Goldmine Magazine