Jimmy Van Heusen (January 26, 1913 - February 7, 1990), was an American composer. Writing songs for films and television, he won four Academy Awards for Best Original Song, and an Emmy.
Christened Edward Chester Babcock in Syracuse, New York, he began writing music while at high school, and renamed himself at age 15, to use as his on-air name during a local radio show.
Studying at Cazenovia Seminary and Syracuse University, he became friends with Jerry Arlen, the younger brother of Harold Arlen. With the elder Arlen's help, Van Heusen wrote songs for the Cotton Club revue, including "Harlem Hospitality." "It Could Happen to You" is a popular standard written by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen. The song was written in 1944 and was introduced in the Paramount musical comedy film, And the Angels Sing.[1]
A recording by Jo Stafford was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 158. It reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on September 21, 1944 at #10, its only week on the chart. [2]
The Four Freshmen also released a version.
The Dexter Gordon composition, "Fried Bananas," is based on the changes of "It Could Happen to You."Jimmy Van.