Joseph Reed Alden was an American composer and lyricist born on July 28, 1886, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he passed away on September 18, 1951, in the same city. Alden is best known for his role as a lyricist, particularly for the song "Sleepy Time Gal," which he co-wrote with Raymond B. Egan, Ange Lorenzo, and Richard A. Whiting. This song became quite popular and was recorded by various artists, including Art Landry Orchestra, Gene Austin, Freddy Martin Orchestra, and others, between 1925 and 1947. Alden's contributions to music are primarily documented through these recordings, which were issued by major record companies like Victor, Columbia, Brunswick, and OKeh. Despite the limited scope of his documented works, Alden's "Sleepy Time Gal" remains a notable piece in the American musical landscape of the early 20th century.