The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-26
SONG BUSINESS IS DEAD.
Tho War Killed 1t, and Even war Songs Are
Not selling NOWADAYS.

nne war hilleu II, ana EVEN war songs Are
Not Selling NowndnSs.
publisher of popular music was talking the
other day Of the effect the present war had had
upon his business.
Il am as patriotic as any one," he said, but
it is true, nevertheless. that it is u very ex-
pensivc war for me, and it is likely to cost me
more money, TOO. Nothing sells nowadays but
The Star-Spangled Banner and The Red,
White and Blue, though the public generally is
willing to applaud patriotic songs, but does not
care to buy them.
when the war began l was on the point of
getting out a few new songs for the late spring,
as l usually do, but the little affair with Spain
knocked all my plans endwise. Last year this
time the writer who provided me with the
waltz nit OF the previous season wrote another
song that followed up closely the success of the
first. 1t was introduced about the beginning of
the summer, was fairly popular during the hot
months. and a big hit in the fall and winter.
But the waltz song l depended on to make
money for me this summer and next season is
lying in my safe unintroduced, unsung, I'M
known. The public doesn't seem to want waltz
songs just now.
Some OF my biggest hits have been made
with what are known as descriptive songs; but
the strongest things l have at present in that
line are not selling as they should, and there is
little likelihood that they will. Ballads, too,
have always been good sellers for me. but n
duced lately with but little success, and has been
received so coldly, IN fact. that l shall not pub
fish it at present; In the fall perhaps, If the
war is over then. the people who patronize the
vaudeville may appreciate it's merit, but it is
plainly evident that at this moment they are not
interested in ballads-thRt is, unless they have
something to do with war.
Coon songs of the now variety are very popu-
lar, it must be admitted. but they do not sell.
songs of the Enjoy Yourselves Get Your
Moneys Worth Take Your Clothes and Co.
and Mr.. Johnson type. which describe the sporty
negro and are, on the whole. trucr to life than
some superficial critics will acknowledge. The
old.time negro lullaby song Is dead, and the song
dusky belle is nearly dead. My Coal Black
Lady was an exception, but It won hands down
the coon songs I have are not of the two last
kinds, but are strictly III to date, and in any but
war times would doubtless sell. But these are
war times; and in the last month l sold exactly
eighty,-eight copies OF my cleyerest coon song.
Everybody laughs at 1t; it is being whistled In
the streets, but nobody buys it.
Each publisher or popular music has got
out war songs songs praising the nation, the
flag. and the army-and l have done my share.
My songs have been sung everywhere and are
apparently great successes, but-the old story
they have not sold, they are not selling. They
them. but not for me. So far what l have re-
ceivcd from their sale has not covered the cost
song Whic6k' the pubic called a second Star /"
Spangled Banner one equally good in every
way, would not make any money for me, de-
"All this is true. and when / say that the
popular-song business is dead until the war is
men who publish music of the popular kind and
they VIII tel you the same, Why it should be
II war, for people want to be amused, and one
would think that songs that interested them in
times OF peace would interest them in wal
and play them in their homes. Personally, how.
ever, l find that the opposite is tho case