The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-04-14
SONGS AN8 THEIR COMPOSERS
sentimental Songs the Most Profit
able TO Publishers.

There is one very curious fact about
popular songs continued Mr.. Woodward.
" The writer's of them are rarely profession
oil musicians. In many cases they do not
know one note from another. Even where
they are able to set down the melodies
which come to them by jotting down the
notes, they know nothing of harmony, and
their manuscripts pass into the hands of musi-
clans who provide introductions, simple ac-
compartments, and prepare the songs for
publication. Wide-awake music publishers
buy these incomplete manu- scripts Just as
they are and engage another man to arrange
them. know one song-writer who goes to-
publisher and shows the verses of new
song and huns over the melody for it, which
has been composed, but which the composer
is unable to put ON paper. If the publisher
likes II an appointment is made, when the
song-writer meets the publishers pianist
and the melody is taken down. Pond Lii
les, which is to-day the most popular song
in the market song which has reached for
two years past sale OF three thousand
copies month, was written by Miss Lille
Hall, an actress in burlesque. Pond Lilies
was her first attempt at song-writing and
she told publisher here that she would
give him the song if he would agree to pub
lish it. The song was arranged and pub
lished. For months it was never heard of or
from. At last, what are known in the theatre
cal professionals erio-comic Cor chronic sing
ers began to MARBLE the ditty and little by
little it achieved its present vogue. Wild
Flowers and Buy my Pretty Flowers, sub
segment compositions by the same writer,
have been successful, but have never reached
the popularity of Pond Lilies. Music pub
fishers, equally with book publishers, have
large dealing with amateurs, that is to say,
with people who haye written songs as a
diversion, and are determined to have them
published at all hazards. And music pub
fishers tell some very funny stories about
such experiences. One funny story they
do not tell either with frequency or gusto.
In several cases, amateurs who have pub
lished songs on their own account have
stumbled upon successes, and, of course,
have poclSeted all the profits. This contin-
gency is now provided against by publishers
requiring that the amateur song-writer shall
buy sufficient number of his songs at the
retail price, to cover the cost of publication.
Thereafter the publisher pays the amateur
royalty ON every copy sold, just as though
he were professional.
Another interesting fact about successful
songs may be noted, and that is, only senti-
mental songs make any money. Humorous
songs become very popular. They arc ap-
plauded in the theatre when n favorite singer
sings them, and are laughed at unrestrained-
ly, but very few in the audience ever think
Of buying copies of them. This is peculiar
known as the topical song. 1t may be ex-
planned that this Is a song in which the
material of the different verses is arranged
to give point to a significant phrase which
invariably forms the last line of the verse.
The performance practically amounts to
piggling with language, the effect coming
from the humorous and unexpected illustra-
ton which can be adduced of the idea en-
bodied in the adopted phrase. Given on
the stage by an expert singer, who enforces
the points of the verses by appropriate ac-
ton and facial expression, these songs are
very effective. Sung In the parlor, by an
ordinary vocalist and without the effect
which comes from the assembly of large
number of people, these songs almost in.
vaIiably fall fiat. In consequence, they are
very seldom sung there and the music pub.
fishers who give them to the world find the
world ungrateful, much to the publisher ,
pecuniary grief. On the other hand, n SEN
timental song may be sung in the home
circle by an inexperienced singer with very
fair effect. Somehow or other, the under
lying sentiment survives the most outrage.
GUS treatment It has better staying quail.
ties than humor has. The melodies are
simple, the thoughts expressed find well
come among all classes of people and the
sheet music finds its way to thousands of
piano racks through the land, and so the
publishers become happy and affiuent.