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." "Here's That Rainy Day" is a popular song with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke, published in 1953. It was introduced by Dolores Gray in the Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders. [1]
The song has been recorded by many jazz and pop singers, including Tony Bennett, Dee Dee Bridgewater, June Christy, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Lou Rawls, Astrud Gilberto (with Stan Getz), Lena Horne, Jack Jones, Steve Lawrence, Peggy Lee, Kenny Rankin, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Sarah Vaughan and Andy.