Leonard Whitcup
Leonard Whitcup (1903-1979) was publisher, composer, and lyricist. He was first vice president of the American Guild of Authors and Composers (presently known as the Songwriters Guild of America) as well as the director and treasurer of the National Academy of Popular Music. Among the variety of notable songs he had written or co-written were “Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle”, “Frenesi”,[1] and "Shout Wherever You May Be, I Am An American", which was cited in the Congressional Record on May 5, 1941.[2][3]
“Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle” was a song used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Gene Autry Western Boots and Saddle. It was composed by Teddy Powell, Walter G. Samuels, and Whitcup.[4] "Frenesi" was copyrighted in 1940 by Whitcup as the English language lyrics for the song.[5]
Early life and career
Whitcup was born on October 12, 1903 in New York City, New York. He would later attend New York University. In 1923, he copyrighted the song "Rain Drops" with words by Max Rutchik.[6] From 1934 to 1977, he wrote or co-wrote a variety of popular songs, some for cinema, television, musical revues, and vaudeville.[7] He wrote or co-wrote the music for a variety of film soundtracks including The Forward Pass (1929) with Walter Samuels and Max Rutchik, Rollin' Plains (1938) in collaboration with Walter G Samuels and Teddy Powell.[8] In 1950, Whitcup and Dick Manning composed the song "I'll Follow You".[9] Sweet Moments, Weekend, Italian Style (1965), and the Swedish film Pippi Longstocking (1969).[10] in 1977, Whitcup, Paul Cummingham, and Ray Madison wrote "Orange Blossoms: The Wedding Song".[11]
Whitcup and Max Rutchik composed a variety of songs as "Mac and Lenny" which included "Nize Baby","I've Gotta Have You", and "Go Ahet".[12]
Title | Year | Music | Lyrics |
---|---|---|---|
Rain Drops | 1923 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik |
Somebody Loses but Somebody Wins[13] | 1924 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik |
Try This on Your Piano[14] | 1924 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik |
Tired of the City[15] | 1924 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik |
Sea-Sick[16] | 1928 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik |
Tootache[17] | 1928 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik |
Travelin' to Dixie Land (melody) | 1928 | Leonard Whitcup | |
You'll Do (Until He Comes Along)[18] | 1928 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik
Wes Frazer |
Romance Mad[19] | 1929 | Leonard Whitcup | Max Rutchik |
Where (melody)[20] | 1931 | Leonard Whitcup |
References
- ^ "U.S. Copyright Office Public Records System". publicrecords.copyright.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ https://www.congress.gov/bound-congressional-record/1941/05/05/senate-section Page 3552.
- ^ "Leonard Whitcup, 75, Lyricist, Composer of 'I Am an American' (Published 1979)". 1979-04-10. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Boots and Saddles (1937) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2025-08-16 – via www.imdb.com.
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office. First Published Date1939-12-28 Drawer Name EP_85900-87599 Card Name CC19381945EP_85900-87599.1691a.jpg CC19381945EP_85900-87599.1691b.jpg
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue. Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music. Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G. Card Number: .0652a
- ^ Congress, The Library of. "Whitcup, Leonard, 1903-1979 - LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies | Library of Congress, from LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies (Library of Congress)". id.loc.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ ""Rollin' Plains" - By Walter G Samuels, Leonard Whitcup, and Teddy Powell - Copyright Quartet Music, Leonard Whitcup Inc., and Tee Pee Music Co. - Song Copyright Information - Easy Song". www.easysong.com. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office (1977). Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series. Part 5: Music July-Dec 1977: Vol 31 No 2 Sec 2 Current and Renewal Registrations. United States Copyright Office. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
- ^ "Leonard Whitcup". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office (1977). Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series. Part 5: Music July-Dec 1977: Vol 31 No 2 Sec 2 Current and Renewal Registrations. United States Copyright Office. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
- ^ "Mac and Lennie". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music. Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G. Card Number: .0655a
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue↵↵Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music. Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G. Card Number: .0659a
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music. Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G. Card Number: .0656a
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music, Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G, Card Number: .0654a
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music, Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G, Card Number: .0653a
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music. Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G. Card Number: .0661b
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music, Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G, Card Number: .0653a
- ^ U.S. Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalogue Time-Period: 1898-1937 Books, Graphic Arts, Music. Drawer Label: WHE-WHITE_G. Card Number: .0660a