Kim Gannon
James Kimball "Kim" Gannon (November 18, 1900 – April 29, 1974) was an American songwriter and lyricist known for his contributions to both popular music and film. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Gannon was raised in New Jersey, where he attended Montclair High School and became a member of The Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity. He pursued higher education at St. Lawrence University and later attended Albany Law School, passing the New York State bar examination in 1934 with the initial intention of becoming a lawyer.
Gannon's songwriting career began in 1939 with his first song, "For Tonight." He gained significant recognition with his 1942 hit "Moonlight Cocktail," recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, which became the best-selling record in the United States for 10 weeks. That same year, he ventured into writing songs for films, starting with the title song for "Always in My Heart." His work in film continued with contributions to "Powers Girl" and "If Winter Comes." In 1951, Gannon expanded his repertoire to the Broadway stage by collaborating with composer Walter Kent on the score for "Seventeen."
Throughout his career, Gannon collaborated with various prominent composers and lyricists, including J. Fred Coots, Walter Kent, Josef Myrow, Max Steiner, Jule Styne, Mabel Wayne, and Luckey Roberts. Some of his notable songs include "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "A Dreamer's Holiday," "I Want to Be Wanted," and "Under Paris Skies."
Gannon passed away at the age of 73 in Lake Worth, Florida. His legacy remains in the timeless songs that continue to resonate with audiences.
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