Michael Carr
Michael Carr, born Maurice Alfred Cohen on March 11, 1905, in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, was a British and Irish composer and lyricist renowned for his contributions to popular music. He was the son of Morris "Cockney" Cohen, a cabinet maker and boxer, and Gertrude J. Beresford. Raised in Ireland, where his father owned a restaurant in Dublin, Carr embarked on a diverse career path, including stints as a cowboy in Montana, a pianist in Las Vegas, and a newspaper reporter in the United States.
Adopting the name Michael Carr, he played minor roles in Hollywood films before returning to Dublin in 1930 to pursue songwriting. Encouraged by a local bandleader, Carr moved to London, where he collaborated with lyricist Jimmy Kennedy. Settling in London in 1934, Carr initially composed cowboy songs inspired by his American experiences. He gained success with compositions such as "Ole Faithful" and collaborated with Kennedy on numerous songs for artists like Gracie Fields.
Carr's notable works include "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)" for the 1939 film of the same name, "The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot" (1937), and "We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line" (1939). During World War II, he served in the army and composed the "Freedom Concerto" in 1942.
His later compositions include "Lonely Ballerina" (1954) and instrumental hits for the Shadows, such as "Man of Mystery" and "Kon-Tiki." Carr also collaborated on the theme song for the 1960s children's TV series "The White Horses," which became a UK hit. He worked with various British songwriters, contributing to the rich tapestry of mid-20th-century music.
Michael Carr passed away in London on September 16, 1968, leaving behind a legacy of memorable and influential music.
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