}The careers, inspirations, and techniques of Jerome Kern, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Stephen Sondheim, Irving Berlin and seventeen other classic songwriters are revealed in Max Wilk's unique profiles, comprised of anecdotes, remembrances, reflections, and commentary either by the lyricists and composers themselves or other show business professionals intimately associated with them. The emphasis in each case is on the songsthe magic and the craft behind such hits as "Ol' Man River," "I Wanna Be Loved by You," "My Funny Valentine," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "I'm in the Mood for Love," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," "Lullaby of Broadway," "Moon River," "That Old Black Magic," "Over the Rainbow," "Stormy Weather," "Send in the Clowns," "White Christmas," "God Bless America," and thousands more. }
An outstanding study of American songwriters.”
Washington Post
What an education it has given me to read this book. From Gershwin to
Sondheim, it’s all here.”
Tony Bennett
You know that a book is good when one of its subjects recommends it to you.
That is how I discovered They’re Playing Our Song. Ira Gershwin told me all
about an essential book on American Popular Song. And now, years after Ira’s
death, when I read Max’s chapter on him, I feel like I’m once again sitting
at the feet of the master, carefully listening and absorbing Mr. Gershwin’s
perspective of a bygone but omnipresent era. . . . Strangely enough, time has
made the book more important, like a bottle of fine vintage wine.”
Michael Feinstein
The brilliant writers whose songs I love to sing are all in these pages. Every one
echoes with their genius. Who could ask for anything more?”
Barbara Cook
These are the composers I’ve always loved to play. Reading their words here
makes the music even better.”
Bill Charlap
Bravo Max!”
Bucky Pizarelli
"I can't tell you how delighted I am to have your book. What a gas it must be for the song writer to be able to stop and think, "Hey, they're playing my song.." It is a lot nearer to having a small grasp on immortality to know that somewhere a fragment of one's song can still be heard.
It is amazing and also rather sobering to realize how many of the voices you were celebrating only a very few short years ago have already gone silent. But thank God, their works live on. Your work is now a priceless treasure trove of memory and a recapturing of men and women who have contributed so incredibly much to our lives, our memories, and our carings. It is astonishing to stop now and again and realize and appreciate how deep and enduring an impression the songwriters have left on absolutely every one of us, whatever our race, voice, or condition of servitude.
Thanks again for this lovely and timeless book.
--Charles Champlin, former film critic Los Angeles Times
