Harold Arlen

(1905-1986)

Harold Arlen's inventiveness as a composer combined aspects of musical theater, Tin Pan Alley, blues, and jazz. His many familiar songs include Come Rain or Come Shine, One for my Baby, That Old Black Magic, (all with Johnny Mercer), Get Happy, The Man That Got Away, and the Academy-Award winning Over the Rainbow.

In 1996 the United States Postal Service recognized Harold Arlen when it issued the Songwriters Commemorative stamps. The four subjects for the Songwriters stamps are among the most popular and successful composers of all time: Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, Dorothy Fields, and Johnny Mercer.