Carl Sigman Biography

Carl Sigman (September 24, 1909 – September 26, 2000) was a major American songwriter.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, he graduated from law school and passed his Bar exams to practice in the state of New York. Instead of law, encouraged by friend, Johnny Mercer, he embarked on a songwriting career that saw him become one of the most prominent and successful in American music history.

Although Sigman wrote many song melodies, he was primarily a lyricist who collaborated with songwriters such as Bob Hilliard and Duke Ellington. He also wrote English language lyrics to many songs which were originally composed in other languages, such as "Answer Me," "Till," and "What Now My Love." During the big band era he composed works used by top band leaders such as Glenn Miller and Guy Lombardo. His songs were also hits for individual singing stars. Some of the best known include "My Heart Cries For You" which was recorded by three different artists in 1951: Dinah Shore, Guy Mitchell and Vic Damone. Two years later Sigman's song "Ebb Tide" was a top hit for Frank Chacksfield and was a Billboard Top Ten hit in 1965 for the Righteous Brothers.

Tommy Edwards scored a No. 1 hit in 1958 with "It's All In The Game," with lyrics by Sigman set to music Vice President Charles Gates Dawes had written in 1911. He is most widely remembered for writing "Where Do I Begin" that was the theme song for Love Story, the top grossing film of 1970. The song would become a major hit record for crooner Andy Williams.

In 1972 Carl Sigman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.