The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-05
SONG BUSINESS is DEAD.
The war Killed IL, ana Even War Songs
Are Not Selling Nowadays.

The War Killed IL, and Even War Songs
Are Not selling Nowadays.
From the New York Sun.
A publisher of popular music vas
talking the other day of the effect the
present wal had had upon his bust
ness.
Il am as patriotic as any one he
said. but it is true. nevertheless. that
it is a very expensive war for me, ana
il is likely to cost me more money, tco'
Nothing sells nowadays but The Star
Spangled Banner and The Red, White
and Blue, though the public generally
is willing to applaud patriotic ongs,
but does not care to buy them.
when the war began | wa On tue
point of getting out a few new songs
for the late spring, as ] 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 hit of the previous season wrote
another song that followed up closely
the success of the first. 1t was intro
duced about the beginning of the sum
mer, was fairly popular during the not
months. and a big hit in the fall ard
winter. But the waltz sons | depended
on to make money for me this summer
and next season is lying in my safe un-
introduced. unsung. know The
public doesn't seem to want waltz songs
just now.
Some Of my biggest hits have been
made with what are know n as descript-
I've songs; but the strongest things |
have at present in that line are not
selling as they should. and there is lit
tie likelihood that they will. Ballads,
too. have always been good sellers fer
me, but a very pretty sentimental song
| have was introduced lately with but
little success, and has been received 50
coldly. i'm fact, that | shall not publish
il at present. In the fall, perhaps, II
the war Is over then. the people who
p%atronize the vaudeville may appreciate
it's merit. but it is plainly evident that
at this moment they are not interested
in ballads-that is. unless they have
something to do with war.
Coon songs of the new variety are
very popular, ii must be admitted, but
they do not sell. What | mean by the
new variety is. of course, 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,
truer to life than some superficial
critics will acknowledge. The old-time
negro lullaby song is dead, and the
song which praises the charms of some
! particular buShN btlit 10 htdIiS utdb'
My Coal Black Lady was an eXCep-
ton. but it won hands down because
the tune was irresistibly catchy. Now.
the coon songs ! have are not of the
two last kinds, but are strictly up 70
date, and i'm any but wal times would
doubtless sell. But these are wal
times. and in the last month | sold g y
actly IS copies of my cleVerest coor
song. Everybody laughs at it; il is
being whistled in the streets, but no
body buys 1t.
Each publisher of popular music has
got out war s~ongs-songs praising the
nation. the flag and the army-and
have done my share. My songs have
been sung everywhere and are appar.
entity great successes, It'll ole
story-they have not sold. they are no
selling. They are good songs for thos'
who have introduced them. but not foI
me. So far what | have received from
their sale has not covered the cost o
printing, advertising, etc. Even If