Today in Music (1895): “The Sidewalks of New York” hit #1 - for the first time

The Sidewalks of New York Dan Quinn

Writer(s): James W. Blake (lyrics), Charles B. Lawlor (music) (see lyrics here) First Charted: February 9, 1895 Peak: 19 PM (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, -- streaming

Awards (Dan Quinn): Click on award for more details. Awards (J.W. Myers): Awards (George J. Gaskin):

About the Song: Charles Lawler (1852-1925) was a Dublin-born vaudeville performer who came to New York. On a walk home one night, he thought he should write a song of his own. He came up with a melody and the next day hummed the melody for James Blake (1862-1935), a salesman who worked at John Golden’s hat store. WK Blake told him to get the music down on paper and he’d write lyrics. Lawler returned twenty minutes later with the musical notes written out and Blake finished his already halfway-completed lyrics in another half hour. WK The song was introduced by Lottie Gilson at the Old London Theatre in the Bowery. SS “The audience was so taken with it that they joine her in singing a repetition of the chorus.” SS She performed it at vaudeville houses for years. SS The song was pivotal in the success of the music publishers Howley & Haviland as a staple of Tin Pan Alley, SS but the two authors of the song both died penniless, having sold the copyright of the song for $5000. WK The song became “a virtual anthem for New York City.” SS In 1928, New York’s Al Smith used it in his presidential campaign. SS Dan Quinn was the first to chart with the song on February 9, 1895. After nine weeks at #1, it was knocked out by Edward M. Favor’s “My Best Girl’s a New Yorker” for five weeks. It was then replaced by J.W. Myers’ version of “The Sidewalks of New York” for four weeks. In between Quinn and Myers’ versions, George J. Gaskin also charted with the song, reaching #2. Nat Shilkret gave the song a fourth chart run in 1928, also peaking in the runner-up position. PM The song has also been performed by artists as versatile as Blondie, Nat “King” Cole, Duke Ellington, the Grateful Dead, and Paul Whiteman. Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Dan Quinn DMDB encyclopedia entry for J.W. Myers DMDB encyclopedia entry for George J. Gaskin DMDB encyclopedia entry for Nat Shilkret SS Steve Sullivan (2013). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings (Volumes I & II). Scarecrow Press: Lanham, Maryland. PM Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research, Inc: Menomonee Falls, WI. Page 578. WK Wikipedia First posted 6/26/2024.