Songwriter Hugh Martin ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") 1914-2011 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-11-2011, 11:00 PM

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Songwriter Hugh Martin, whose “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has been a holiday favorite for almost 70 years, died Friday afternoon of natural causes at his longtime home in Encinitas. He was 96.

Written for the movie musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” in 1943, “Have Yourself” has been recorded by more than 500 artists, everybody from Tony Bennett to Twisted Sister. It is annually among the most-played holiday songs on the radio.

“The way people continue to embrace that song has been the most thrilling thing that ever happened to me,” Martin told the Union-Tribune last December, in one of his final interviews. “Just out of this world exciting.”

He was born Aug. 11, 1914 in Birmingham, Ala. His father was an architect and his mother — a woman he addressed by name, Ellie Gordon — an accomplished musician and a lover of all things New York. She steered him to the piano, where he found shelter from lifelong bouts with low self-esteem, and to Broadway.

He was a performer first, then an arranger, then a composer with partner Ralph Blane. Their 1941 Broadway hit, “Best Foot Forward,” brought them to the attention of Hollywood and led to the assignment to write songs for “Meet Me in St. Louis,” starring Judy Garland.

One of her numbers, “The Trolley Song,” was nominated for an Oscar and became so popular Martin spent much of his Army stint during World War II performing it for the troops instead of fighting alongside them.

Garland initially refused to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the film because she thought it was too gloomy. Martin changed the words. “Judy was right,” Martin said last December. “If I’d kept the lyrics the way they were, it would have been thrown out and forgotten.”

After the war, he resumed his career as a composer, arranger and vocal coach for plays and movies. His work earned him four Tony Award nominations and a second Academy Award nomination. He was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983.

Martin moved to San Diego in the mid-1970s, fleeing cold winters back East. He lived for many years in Encinitas with Elaine Harrison, a woman he befriended through church, and her husband, Fred.

He is survived by his brother, Gordon, of Birmingham. At Martin’s request, no services are planned.

Marvo301 · 03-11-2011, 11:27 PM

Hugh Martin

catlover79 · 03-11-2011, 11:47 PM

MrCleveland · 03-12-2011, 10:44 PM

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from what I heard is a very sad song, even WWII soldiers would cry when they heard this song in the 40's.

But RIP anyhow, Martin....

03-11-2011, 11:00 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,442	Songwriter Hugh Martin ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas") 1914-2011 Link Songwriter Hugh Martin, whose “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has been a holiday favorite for almost 70 years, died Friday afternoon of natural causes at his longtime home in Encinitas. He was 96. Written for the movie musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” in 1943, “Have Yourself” has been recorded by more than 500 artists, everybody from Tony Bennett to Twisted Sister. It is annually among the most-played holiday songs on the radio. “The way people continue to embrace that song has been the most thrilling thing that ever happened to me,” Martin told the Union-Tribune last December, in one of his final interviews. “Just out of this world exciting.” He was born Aug. 11, 1914 in Birmingham, Ala. His father was an architect and his mother — a woman he addressed by name, Ellie Gordon — an accomplished musician and a lover of all things New York. She steered him to the piano, where he found shelter from lifelong bouts with low self-esteem, and to Broadway. He was a performer first, then an arranger, then a composer with partner Ralph Blane. Their 1941 Broadway hit, “Best Foot Forward,” brought them to the attention of Hollywood and led to the assignment to write songs for “Meet Me in St. Louis,” starring Judy Garland. One of her numbers, “The Trolley Song,” was nominated for an Oscar and became so popular Martin spent much of his Army stint during World War II performing it for the troops instead of fighting alongside them. Garland initially refused to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the film because she thought it was too gloomy. Martin changed the words. “Judy was right,” Martin said last December. “If I’d kept the lyrics the way they were, it would have been thrown out and forgotten.” After the war, he resumed his career as a composer, arranger and vocal coach for plays and movies. His work earned him four Tony Award nominations and a second Academy Award nomination. He was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983. Martin moved to San Diego in the mid-1970s, fleeing cold winters back East. He lived for many years in Encinitas with Elaine Harrison, a woman he befriended through church, and her husband, Fred. He is survived by his brother, Gordon, of Birmingham. At Martin’s request, no services are planned.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

03-11-2011, 11:27 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Hugh Martin
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-11-2011, 11:47 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-12-2011, 10:44 PM	#4
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,234	"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from what I heard is a very sad song, even WWII soldiers would cry when they heard this song in the 40's. But RIP anyhow, Martin....
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)