Clarence Gaskill (February 2, 1892 – April 29, 1948) was an American composer and lyricist active during the 1920s to early 1930s. His most well-known songs include, ''Doo-Wacka-Doo'' (1921). ''

I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me" is a 1926 popular song and jazz standard composed by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Clarence Gaskill. More than 20 recordings were made of "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me" in the 16 years fo ...

'' (1926), and '' Prisoner of Love'' (1932). His first hit came in 1919 with ''I Love You Just the Same, Sweet Adeline''.

Personal life

Gaskill was born on February 2, 1892, in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

. He attended St. John's School and Friends School in Pennsylvania. Gaskill's first music teacher was his mother, but he was later taught by private teachers. Gaskill died on April 29, 1948, in New Brighton, New York City. His wife was Matilda Gaskill and they lived on Richmont Street in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Career

At the age of 16, Gaskill was employed at a local theatre, working as a pianist. By the age of 21, he had founded his own music publishing firm. During

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, he served as a machine gunner. For his service, he earned the

Purple Heart The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, ...

. Gaskill also entertained troops during the war, and even wrote the war song, '' That's a Mother's Liberty Loan''. After the war was over, Gaskill toured

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...

under the stage name, "Melody Monarch". His first hit was in 1919, with the release of ''I Love you Just the Same, Sweet Adeline''. Two years later he joined the

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) () is an American not-for-profit performance-rights organization (PRO) that collectively licenses the public performance rights of its members' musical works to venues, broadc ...

. Gaskill wrote the song, ''Prisoner of Love'' in 1932. It was re-recorded by various artists including,

The Ink Spots The Ink Spots were an American vocal pop group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Their unique musical style predated the rhythm and blues and rock and roll musical genres, and the subgenre doo-wop. The Ink Spots were widely ...

Billy Eckstine William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously a ...

, and

Perry Como Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (; May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an American singer, actor, and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, from 1943 until 1987 ...

. His song, ''Doo-Wacka-Doo'' (1921), capitalized on the "Hawaiian craze" popular during that time. The song was made famous by

Paul Whiteman Paul Samuel Whiteman (March 28, 1890 – December 29, 1967) was an American Jazz bandleader, composer, orchestral director, and violinist. As the leader of one of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s and early 193 ...

's orchestra. Gaskill was employed by Irving and Jack Mills. He wrote music for ''

Earl Carroll Earl Carroll (September 16, 1893 – June 17, 1948) was an American theatrical producer, director, writer, songwriter and composer. Early life Carroll was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1893. He lived as an infant in the Nunnery Hill ( Fin ...

's Vanities'' (1925) and ''Keep it Clean'' (1929). Throughout his career he collaborated with various musicians, lyricists, and composers, including

Jimmy McHugh James Francis McHugh (July 10, 1894 – May 23, 1969) was an American composer. One of the most prolific songwriters from the 1920s to the 1950s, he is credited with over 500 songs. His songs were recorded by many artists, including Chet Baker, J ...

Irving Mills Irving Harold Mills (born Isadore Minsky; January 18, 1894 Odessa, Ukraine – April 21, 1985) was a music publisher, musician, lyricist, and jazz promoter. He often used the pseudonyms Goody Goodwin and Joe Primrose. Personal life Mills ...

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...

Leo Robin Leo Robin (April 6, 1895 – December 29, 1984) was an American composer, lyricist and songwriter. He is probably best known for collaborating with Ralph Rainger on the 1938 Oscar-winning song " Thanks for the Memory," sung by Bob Hope and Shi ...

, and

Cab Calloway Cabell "Cab" Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was an American jazz singer and bandleader. He was a regular performer at the Cotton Club in Harlem, where he became a popular vocalist of the Swing music, swing era. His niche ...

. Because he was very knowledgeable about the music business and copyright laws, Gaskill was able to use that to his advantage. He claimed composer credit on Christmas songs and nursery rhymes like, ''

Jingle Bells "Jingle Bells" is one of the most commonly sung Christmas songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont. It is an unsettled question where and when Pierpont originally composed the song that would become known as "Jingle Bells". It ...

'', '' Adeste Fideles'', ''

The Farmer in the Dell "The Farmer in the Dell" is a singing game, nursery rhyme, folksong, and children's song. It probably originated in Germany and was brought to America by immigrants.I. Opie and P. Opie, ''The Singing Game'' (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985) ...

'', and ''

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is an English lullaby. The lyrics are from an early-19th-century English poem written by Jane Taylor, "The Star". The poem, which is in couplet form, was first published in 1806 in '' Rhymes for the Nursery'', a c ...

''.

Selected works

*"Another Perfect Day Has Passed Away". With Robert H. Noeltner, Haia Kaa, and

Ethel Shutta Ethel Shutta (pronounced "shoo-TAY"; December 1, 1896 – February 5, 1976) was an American actress and singer, who came to prominence through her performances on Jack Benny's radio show, her role in the early Eddie Cantor musical '' Whoopee!'' ...

. 1933. Keit-Engel. *"Prisoner of Love". With Leo Robin and

Russ Columbo Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolfo Colombo (January 14, 1908 – September 2, 1934), known as Russ Columbo, was an American baritone, songwriter, violinist, and actor. He is famous for romantic ballads such as his signature tune "You Call It Madne ...

. 1931. Mayfair Music Corp. *"

Minnie the Moocher "Minnie the Moocher" is a jazz song co-written by American musician Cab Calloway and first recorded in 1931 by Calloway and his big band orchestra, selling over a million copies. "Minnie the Moocher" is famous for its nonsensical ad libbed ly ...

". With Cab Calloway and Irving Mills. 1931. *"I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me". With Jimmy McHugh. 1927. Jack Mills Inc. *"Nobody's Business Fox Trot". With Irving Mills. 1926(?). *"Doo-Wacka-Doo". With Will Donaldson and George Horther. 1921. Capitol Records. *"I Love You Just the Same, Sweet Adeline". With Harry Armstrong. 1919. Edison Blue Amberol. .

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaskill, Clarence American composers American male composers American lyricists American male songwriters 1892 births 1948 deaths 20th-century American male musicians