Rodgers and Hart write 'Manhattan' in 1925

One of our greatest songwriting teams were two boys who met at Columbia University and went on  to light up the gay white way (Broadway, of course). The "boys' were Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart.

Their Broadway breakthrough came in 1925 with a revue, The Garrick Gaieties, which featured the hit song "Manhattan."

The story of the song's creation deserves special notice. During an early rehearsal, a substantial scenery change required some form of "business" to take place in front of the curtain to cover the delay between scenes. Larry Hart is reported to have sat down in the theatre and wrote the initial lyrics for the song that went on to be the show's biggest showstopper.....Manhattan.

Here are  Larry Hart's lyrics;

Summer journeys to Niag'ra
and to other places aggra-
vate all our cares.
We'll save our fares!

I've a cozy little flat in
what is known as old Manhattan
we'll settle down
right here in town!

We'll have Manhattan
the Bronx and Staten
Island too.
It's lovely going through
the zoo!

It's very fancy
on old Delancy
street you know.
The subway charms us so
when balmy breezes blow
to and fro.

And tell me what street
compares with Mott Street
in July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gli-ding by.

The great big city's a wonderous toy
just made for a girl and boy.
We'll turn Manhattan
into an isle of joy!

We'll go to Yonkers
Where true love conquers
In the whiles
And starve together dear, in Child's

We'll go to Coney
And eat baloney on a roll
In Central Park we'll stroll
Where our first kiss we stole
Soul to soul

And "Abie's Irish Rose" is a terrific show they say
We both may see it close, some day

The city's glamour can never spoil
The dreams of a boy and goil
We'll turn Manhattan
into an isle of joy!