As the keeper of the keys to her life and music and other capabilities I can regale you with tales already heard and some, not. If you are interested in her personal life I would be happy to fill you into her marked personality and character. If this is of interest to you, you may contact me personally at sil520@msn.com. Leigh, born in the Bronx, New York, (August 21, 1926) graduated from Hunter College High School, Queens College and New York University, and worked as a copy writer for radio stations and advertising agencies. Her lyrics for Broadway shows include Peter Pan, Wildcat, Little Me, and How Now, Dow Jones. The last was derived from an original idea of Leigh's, though Max Shulman wrote the script. At the time of her death, she was working with Marvin Hamlisch on the musical Smile. She provided lyrics for the scores to the films The Cardinal in 1963 and Father Goose in 1964. Leigh died on November 19, 1983 of a heart attack. She was divorced from David Cunningham, Jr. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985. At this point she was only one of two women to receive that honor. Her most loved songs were written with Cy Coleman. The play which has a life of its own and will continue for generations forever is PETER PAN. After getting a Gold Record recorded by Frank Sinatra, she was asked to do the lyrics, music for Peter Pan. Mary Martin was intent upon "flying" and being the first Peter Pan to do so. Peter Pan has had more than three (3) actresses singing, dancing and flying in this role. The current Peter Pan is our former Olympic gymnast, Cathy Rigby. She has "flown" for more that twenty years. Carolyn wrote those songs with Moose Charlap. The world thanks them both.

Her catalog boasts some of the biggest standards to emerge from Broadway stage scores including "The Best is Yet To Come", "Young at Heart", "How Little We Know", "Westport", "Spring in Maine", "The Rules of the Road", "Firefly", "Witchcraft", "I'm Flying", "I Gotta Crow", "I Walk a Little Faster", "you Fascinate Me So", "hey, Look Me Over", "Tall Hopes", "El Sombrero", "One Day We Dance", "It Amazes Me", "The Other Side of the Tracks", "Real Live Girl", "I've Got Your Number", "Here's to Us", "a Doodlin' Song", "Stay With Me", "On Second Thought", "Pass Me By", "When In Rome" and "Ouzo".

WITCHCRAFT The Lyrics Of Carolyn Leigh

"Those fingers in my hair, that sly come-hither stare, that strips my conscience bare..." Carolyn Leigh brought class, wit, and sex to the American songbook, with hits like Witchcraft, When In Rome, I've Got Your Number, How Little We Know, Pass Me By, and The Best Is Yet To Come. Witchcraft, elegance, wisdom, humor, and sensuality, Leigh fearlessly delved into love's emotional complexities: temptation (You Fascinate Me So), optimism (Hey Look Me Over), cynicism (Rules Of The Road), wistfullness (I Walk A Little Faster), nostalgia (Spring in Maine), and comedy (Shakespeare Lied). "And here is the best part: you have a head start, if you are among the very Young At Heart." The songlist is wonderful, and you really "get" Carolyn. I'm just thrilled.
(June Silver, sister of Carolyn Leigh)

Leigh also contributed to the film scores of The Cardinal and Father Goose. Late in her career she also contributed to the scores for TV specials such as Heidi as well as the bicentennial show for Something to Do.

The last song she wrote was written with Julie Styne. The name of the song is KILLING TIME.