Blue Moon True story: Lorenz Hart's Journey from Manhattan Dreams to the Heart of American Song

By James E. Moll

Behind every beloved song you've ever hummed lies a heartbreaking story you've never heard.

You know the lyrics to "My Funny Valentine" and "Blue Moon," but you don't know the tortured genius who wrote them. Lorenz Hart crafted the soundtrack to American romance while believing he was too broken to be loved himself. For twenty-five years, he transformed personal pain into poetic perfection, creating songs that captured the urban heart with devastating precision.

This is the untold story of Broadway's most brilliant and tragic lyricist. Hart wrote intimate love songs for millions while hiding his own sexuality in an era when exposure meant destruction. He collaborated with Richard Rodgers to create some of America's most sophisticated popular music, yet watched helplessly as alcoholism and depression consumed his life. When Rodgers replaced him with Oscar Hammerstein II, Hart spent his final night at Sardi's bar, drowning his sorrows as "Oklahoma " triumphed without him.

Discover the man behind "Manhattan," "The Lady Is a Tramp," and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered." Learn how his great-grandnephew connection to poet Heinrich Heine shaped his literary sensibility. Witness the creative partnership that revolutionized musical theater, and understand why Hart's sophisticated wordplay and emotional honesty continue to influence songwriters today. From his privileged Harlem childhood through Columbia University to the heights of Broadway success, this is the complete story of an artist who gave everything to his craft.

Hart's songs have been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and countless others who recognized the timeless quality of his work. His influence extends from jazz standards to contemporary musical theater, yet his personal story remained hidden for decades. Now, through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the real Lorenz Hart emerges: brilliant, vulnerable, and heartbreakingly human.
If you've ever wondered about the stories behind the songs that define American culture, or if you're fascinated by the price of genius, this book will captivate you from the first page to the last.

Get your copy now and discover why Lorenz Hart's journey from Manhattan dreams to Broadway legend is a story that will stay with you forever.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FJ6HS7Y1
• ISBN13: 9798292840237
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"