Cynthia Weil facts for kids
Cynthia Weil (born October 18, 1940 – died June 1, 2023) was a very talented American songwriter. She wrote many famous songs with her husband, Barry Mann. Together, they helped create the sound of rock and roll in the 1960s.
Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann were honored for their amazing work. They were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. They also joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2011, they received the Johnny Mercer Award. This is the highest honor from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Life and Music Career
Cynthia Weil was born in New York City on October 18, 1940. She grew up in Manhattan. As a young person, she trained to be an actress and dancer. But soon, she discovered her gift for writing songs.
This talent led her to work with Barry Mann. They got married in August 1961. They had one daughter named Jenn Mann. Cynthia became one of the important songwriters at the Brill Building. This famous building in New York City was a hub for many songwriters in the 1960s. She played a big part in the rise of rock and roll music.
Creating Hit Songs
Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann wrote songs for many popular artists. Their songs won several Grammy Awards. They also received Academy Award nominations for their movie songs.
In 1987, Cynthia and Barry were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This honor recognized their amazing contributions to music.
In 2004, a musical show called They Wrote That? opened in New York. It was based on their songs. Barry Mann sang in the show. Cynthia Weil shared stories about their songs and their lives.
Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was a huge honor for their impact on music. When she accepted the award, Cynthia joked, "From the bottom of my heart and with the greatest humility, I thought you guys would never ask."
In 2011, they received the Johnny Mercer Award. This is the highest award given by the Songwriters Hall of Fame. It celebrates songwriters who have made a lasting impact.
Later Years
In 2015, Cynthia Weil wrote her first novel. It was a mystery story called I'm Glad I Did. The book was set in 1963.
Cynthia Weil passed away at her home in Beverly Hills, California, on June 1, 2023. She was 82 years old. Her music continues to be loved by many people around the world.
Songs Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
- "A World of Our Own" – Surface
- "Absolutely Green" – Dom DeLuise
- "Beyond the Last Island" – Adam Ryen
- "Black Butterfly" – Deniece Williams
- "Blame It on the Bossa Nova" – Eydie Gormé
- "Bless You" – Tony Orlando
- "Christmas Vacation" – Title song for the 1989 film National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
- "Don't Know Much" – Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt
- "He's Sure the Boy I Love" – The Crystals
- "Heart" – Kenny Chandler
- "Here You Come Again" – Dolly Parton
- "Home of the Brave" - Bonnie and the Treasures, Jody Miller
- "How Can I Tell Her It's Over" – Andy Williams
- "Hungry" – Paul Revere & the Raiders
- "I Just Can't Help Believing" – B. J. Thomas, Elvis Presley
- "I'm Gonna Be Strong" – Gene Pitney; covered by Cyndi Lauper
- "I Will Come to You" – Hanson
- "It's Not Easy" - Normie Rowe, The Will-O-Bees
- "Just a Little Lovin' (Early in the Morning)" – Dusty Springfield, Carmen McRae
- "Just Once" – James Ingram with Quincy Jones
- "Kicks" – Paul Revere & the Raiders
- "Late at Night" – George Benson and Vicki Randle
- "Let Me In" – Rick Derringer
- "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" – Gene Pitney, Marlena Shaw
- "Love Doesn't Ask Why" – Recorded by Celine Dion
- "Love Her" – The Everly Bros, The Walker Bros.
- "Love is Only Sleeping" – The Monkees
- "Magic Town" – The Vogues
- "Make Your Own Kind of Music" – "Mama" Cass Elliot
- "Never Gonna Let You Go" – Sérgio Mendes and Dionne Warwick
- "Nobody But You" – Gladys Knight and Ruby Turner
- "None of Us Are Free" – Ray Charles, Lynyrd Skynyrd
- "On Broadway" – The Drifters, George Benson
- "Only in America" – Jay and the Americans
- "Remember" – Song from the 2004 film Troy – Covered by Josh Groban
- "Running with the Night" – Lionel Richie
- "Saturday Night at the Movies" – The Drifters
- "Shades of Gray" – The Monkees
- "Shape of Things to Come" – Max Frost and the Troopers
- "Somewhere Out There" – Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram (from the film An American Tail) – a double Grammy Award winner.
- "Sweet Survivor" - Peter, Paul, and Mary
- "Uptown" – The Crystals, covered by Bette Midler
- "Walking in the Rain" – The Ronettes
- "We Gotta Get out of This Place" – The Animals
- "Where Have You Been (All My Life)" – Arthur Alexander, also played by The Beatles
- "[(You're My) Soul and Inspiration]]" – The Righteous Brothers and later Donny & Marie Osmond
- "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" – The Righteous Brothers; later many other artists. This song was radio's most-played song of all time for many years.
See also
In Spanish: Cynthia Weil para niños