Mitchell Parish

From Grokipedia

Mitchell Parish (born Michael Hyman Pashelinsky; July 10, 1900 – March 31, 1993) was an American lyricist of Lithuanian origin, best known for crafting romantic and evocative lyrics for some of the 20th century's most enduring popular songs, including "Stardust," "Deep Purple," and "Sleigh Ride." Born in Lithuania, Parish immigrated to the United States with his family in 1901 aboard the S.S. Dresden, initially settling in Louisiana before moving to New York City around age four, where he grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. His early exposure to recorded music, such as Edison cylinders, and influences like Irving Berlin sparked his interest in songwriting; by age 11, he was composing poetry and short stories, and at 18, he began working as a songplugger in the music industry.

Parish's career took off in the 1920s on New York's Tin Pan Alley, where he started as a staff lyricist for publisher Jack Mills, earning $12 a week while contributing to vaudeville acts and early radio shows. His breakthrough came in 1929 with the lyrics for "Stardust," set to music by Hoagy Carmichael, which became one of the most recorded songs in history and a jazz standard. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he collaborated with prominent composers such as Duke Ellington on "Sophisticated Lady," Peter de Rose on "Deep Purple," and Leroy Anderson on "Sleigh Ride," producing hits that spanned stage, screen, and big band eras. Other notable works include "Sweet Lorraine," "Stars Fell on Alabama," "Moonlight Serenade" with Glenn Miller, and English lyrics for "Volare."

In addition to his songwriting, Parish lectured on music at universities and theaters, served on the ASCAP Writers Advisory Council, and authored the book For Those in Love about romantic song lyrics. His contributions were recognized with induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Johnny Mercer Award in 1986 for his lifetime achievements. Parish continued working into his later years, passing away in Manhattan on March 31, 1993, from complications of a stroke at age 92, leaving a legacy of over 400 songs that remain staples in American popular music.

In brief

Mitchell Parish, born Michael Pashelinsky, had the gift of making a melody feel inevitable in English. Stardust is the famous example; the catalog is deeper than any one song.

He worked in the golden age of American popular song, when immigrant kids from the tenements wrote the country’s romance. The credits are on the page; the feeling is in the air.