Respected LadyLand - Sylvia Dee: Lyricist of '40s Swing to Swingin' 60s
3:00pm, 8-1-2026
<< Respected LadyLand / Travlin' the Tracks with DJ Action Slacks
This episode is dedicated to the lyricist Sylvia Dee who has the
unusual accomplishment of writing hit songs beginning during the 1940s
swing era right on through the era of girl groups.
Her best known song these days is probably "the End of the World” by Skeeter Davis in 1963.
However, prior to that her biggest hit was “Too young” by Nat King Cole from 1951. It's considered one of the first songs directed at the 1950s teen market.
This is the first episode of Respected
LadyLand for which I couldn't find a verified photo of the featured
artist - a little remarkable for someone who had a successful 20-year
career in the music business. But, like so many of the women I've
spotlighted on this series, there is little information on Sylvia Dee.
We're mostly left with a couple of brief anecdotes ( Too Young was inspired by her brother marrying at a young age) and her carefully-crafted words:
In this world where we live there should be more happiness
So much joy you can give to each brand new bright tomorrow
So much joy you can give to each brand new bright tomorrow
- 3:00pm Give Me Sunshine by Brenda Lee on single (Decca)
- 3:03pm Too Young by Sam Butera & The Witnesses on The Big Horn (Capitol)
- 3:05pm Too Young by Donna Hightower on Take One (Capitol)
- 3:07pm Dick Jurgens by Push Cart Serenade on our Dance Date With Dick Jurgens And His Orchestra (Columbia)
- 3:10pm Robot Man by Jamie Horton on single (Joy)
- 3:12pm Somebody Nobody Wants by Dion on Single (Laurie)
- 3:15pm The End Of The World by Marty Gold Orchestra on In A Young Mood (RCA)
- 3:17pm Chickery Chick by The Three Stooges on The Nonsense Songbook (Coral)
- 3:19pm The Charm On My Arm by Andrea Carroll on single (Epic)
- 3:22pm Give Me Something To Go With The Wine by Al Martino on single (capitol)
- 3:24pm My Brother Wants A Doll For Christmas by Yolanda White on single (Decca)
- 3:26pm The End of the World by Martin Denny on The Versatile Martin Denny (Liberty)
- 3:28pm Moonlight Swim by Tony Perkins on single (RCA)
- 3:31pm Please Don't Talk to the Lifeguard by Diane Ray on 45 (Mercury)
- 3:32pm The Life Of The Party by James Darren on single (Colpix)
- 3:34pm Laroo, Laroo, Lili Bolero by Peggy Lee on single (Capitol)
- 3:37pm That's What I Learned In School by Gayla Peevey on single (columbia)
- 3:39pm Doris Troy by A School For Fools on Just One Look - The Best Of Doris Troy (Ichiban)
- 3:42pm Suppose by White Magic for Lovers on The Book Of Lies (Chord Orchard)
- 3:44pm Too Young Cha Cha by Ricardo Juarez on Play Happy Time Cha Chas (Leverage )
- 3:47pm The End Of The World by Loretta Lynn on Loretta Lynn Sings (Decca)
- 3:49pm The Heart You Break by Beverly Washburn on single (Smash)
- 3:51pm Look For Me (I'll Be Around) by Neko Case on Blacklisted (Bloodshot)
- 3:55pm Bring Me Sunshine by Chet Atkins on Yestergroovin' (RCA)
- 3:57pm Bright Red Convertible by George Gobel on single (RCA)
Comments
You must be signed in to post comments.