Sammy Cahn's Rhyming Dictionary (Paperback)

Sammy Cahn is, without a doubt, one of the best songwriters ever to have lived. Now you can get a glimpse into his thought processes and years of experience with this dictionary! Cahn felt strongly that it didn't matter what a lyric looked like on paper; what mattered was how it sounded when it was sung. As a result, this book was put together with the songwriter's needs in mind. It contains 50 000 words that are arranged phonetically, according to vowel sounds, rather than alphabetically. This invaluable reference tool also includes a 32-page introduction by Cahn, in which he relates stories from his work with notable composers and partners Jule Styne and Jimmy Van Heusen. For any lyricist with a song in their heart but a block in their brain, there is no better muse than The Sammy Cahn Rhyming Dictionary.

“Sammy's words fit my mouth the best of all the writers.”

– Frank Sinatra

“Sammy Cahn's music literally traces the development of American popular song from the 1920s until nearly the end of the 20th century.”

– Chuck Kaye, President, DreamWorks Music Publishing

Lyricist Sammy Cahn's prolific career began with the composition of his first hit song at age 16, and went on to span more than five decades. An Oscar and Emmy winner, Tony nominee and inductee in the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, Cahn put words into the mouths of some of America's most celebrated singers.