The Enduring Legacy of Dorothy Fields
American lyricist, Dorothy Fields, led an illustrious career spanning over four decades, penning some of Broadway's biggest hits. Her timeless lyrics continue to resonate with fans and musicians alike, inspiring renditions from today's leading artists. Fields, born on July 15, 1904, in Allenhurst, New Jersey, is celebrated as one of the few women to achieve widespread acclaim as a songwriter during the "golden age" of American popular song.
Fields was known for her exceptional knack of blending wit, emotion, and cultural references into song, creating some of the most memorable lyrics in the history of American music. She collaborated with composers such as Jerome Kern, Jimmy McHugh, and Cy Coleman, creating iconic songs for stage and screen, including "The Way You Look Tonight" (with Jerome Kern), "On the Sunny Side of the Street" (with Jimmy McHugh), "Exactly Like You" (with Jimmy McHugh), and "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" (with Jimmy McHugh).
Fields' Style and Achievements
Fields' lyrics stand out for their conversational ease and emotional clarity. As lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. wrote, “A Fields' lyric is always meticulously crafted yet retains the easy, fresh natural flow of colloquial speech. Her language is precisely the language a person would use expressing a feeling, even if it weren't sung or rhymed—yet the rhyme schemes are scrupulous and the structures impeccable.”
In addition to her lyrical prowess, Fields made significant strides in recognition for women in the industry. She was the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Original Score along with her collaborators in 1959, and she was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971, among the earliest notable women to receive this honor.
Fields' Legacy and Influence
Her songs, such as "The Way You Look Tonight" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street," remain jazz and pop standards, frequently performed by leading artists across generations. Fields' influence endures, both as a model of craftsmanship and as a trailblazer for women in musical theater and songwriting.
STAGE+ takes you on a profound journey into Fields' fascinating works, bringing fresh analysis and in-depth features that allow you to explore her lyrics in a new light. You'll be captivated by her thematic range, from heartfelt emotion to evoking merriment, making her a lyricist that remains unmatched in her influence and talent.