Walter Joseph Donaldson (1893-1947) wrote dozens of popular songs, beginning professionally in 1915, though he had begun composing while still at school. He flirted with a life on Wall Street, but gave it up for Tin Pan Alley.
After serving in the First World War, Donaldson was hired by Irving Berlin’s company, where he stayed until the late 1920s. His most frequent collaborator was Gus Kahn, with whom he wrote more than 100 songs. Donaldson predominantly composed the music, but could turn his hand to lyrics as well, as he did for ‘Little White Lies’. He established his own publishing company in 1928.
Donaldson’s many hits included ‘How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree)’, ‘My Mammy’, ‘Carolina In The Morning’, ‘My Blue Heaven’, ‘Yes Sir, That’s My Baby’, ‘Riptide’, and the song immortalized by Nina Simone, ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’.
Walter Donaldson’s songs featured in thirteen MGM musicals: Hollywood Party, Here Comes the Band, The Great Ziegfeld, Hullabaloo, Ziegfeld Girl, Panama Hattie, For Me and My Gal, Du Barry Was a Lady, Thousands Cheer, Music for Millions, Good News, Love Me or Leave Me and I’ll Cry Tomorrow.
