Lyricist Bob Hilliard was born in New York City on January 28, 1918.
After attending New York City public schools, Hilliard began work as a lyricist on Tin Pan Alley. Beginning in the 1930’s through the 1950’s, Hilliard produced such hits as “The Coffee Song”, “The Big Brass Band from Brazil”, “Civilization”, “Bongo, Bongo, Bongo”, “The Thousand Islands Song”, “A Strawberry Moon”, “Red Silk Stockings and Green Perfume”, “Mention My Name in Sheboygan”, “Careless Hands”, “Chocolate Whiskey and Vanilla Gin”, “Dear Hearts and Gentle People”, “Dearie”, “Stay with the Happy People”, “Boutonniere”, “Be My Life’s Companion”, “Shanghai”, “Don’t Ever be Afraid to Go Home”, “How Do You Speak to a Angel?”, “Everybody Loves to Take a bow”, “Every Street’s a Boulevard in Old New York”, “Somebody Bad Stole de Wedding Bell”, “Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket”, “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning”, “I’m in Favor of Friendship”, “Sailor Boys Have Talk to Me in English”, “The President on the Dollar”, “Wrong Joe”, “Moonlight Gambler”, “Seven Little Girls”, “My Little Corner of the World”, “Any Day Now”, “My Summer Love”, “Young Wings Can Fly”, “Baby, Come Home”, “Everyday’s a Holiday”, “Our Day Will Come”, “Imagination is a Magic Dream”, “You’re Following Me”, “Rower of Strength”, “Au Revoir” and “Don’t You Believe It”.
In the mid-1960’s, Hilliard had another hit with “Our Day Will Come.” The song became a #1 hit in 1963 for Ruby and the Romantics.
He also experienced success on Broadway with his stage scores for Angel in the Wings and Hazel Flagg. However, he is probably most celebrated as the lyricist for the film score to Alice in Wonderland.
Throughout his career, Hilliard collaborated with many composers and lyricists including Carl Sigman, Jule Styne, Mort Garson, Sammy Mysels, Dick Sanford, Milton Delugg, Philip Springer, Lee Pockriss and Sammy Fain.
Bob Hilliard died in Hollywood, California in 1971.
