Ted Koehler



Ted L. Koehler (July 14, 1894 – January 17, 1973) was an American lyricist.

Life and career
Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver, but was attracted to the music business.

Koehler started out as a theater pianist for silent films, then he moved on to write for Vaudeville shows which lead him to work on Broadway.

He also produced some of the top nightclub shows in New York City during the "golden era" of Big Band jazz.

His most famous collaborations were with the composer Harold Arlen

In 1929, the duo composed their first well-known song: "Get Happy," the beginning of a partnership that would last most of his professional career. Arlen and Koehler's partnership resulted in a number of hit songs, including the familiar standards "Let's Fall in Love" and "Stormy Weather." Throughout the early and mid-1930s, Arlen and Koehler wrote shows for the Cotton Club, a popular Harlem night club, songs for big band jazz legend Duke Ellington and other top performers of the day, as well as for Broadway musicals and Hollywood films between 1929 and the 1940s.

Koehler also worked with other composers, including Rube Bloom and Sammy Fain.

Koehler died in Santa Monica, California.

Songs

 * "Animal Crackers in My Soup"
 * "As Long as I Live" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" - music by Rube Bloom
 * "Moon Over Dixie" - music by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra
 * "Get Happy" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "I Can't Face the Music" - music by Rube Bloom
 * "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "Ill Wind" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "I'm Shooting High"
 * "I've Got My Fingers Crossed" - music by [[Jimmy McHugh
 * "I've Got The World On A String" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "Let's Fall In Love" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "Sing My Heart" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "Spreadin' Rhythm Around" - music by Jimmy McHugh
 * "Stormy Weather" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "When the Sun Comes Out" - music by Harold Arlen
 * "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams" - with Harry Barris and Billy Moll

Work on Broadway

 * Earl Carroll's Vanities of 1932 (1932) - revue - co-composer and co-lyricist with Harold Arlen
 * Say When (1934) - Musical - lyricist
 * Now I Know (1944) - Musical - lyricist