Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) is a popular song first published in 1949, with music written by Carl Sigman and lyrics by Herb Magidson
Written by Carl Sigman and lyrics by Herb Magidson. A popular version of the song, recorded by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, was made in November 1949. Popular cover versions were recorded and performed by Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Prima, Prince Buster, The Specials and Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. The 2003 recording by Jools Holland and Prince Buster was used by Simon Mayo as the opening theme to his Drive time show on BBC Radio 2.
Carl Sigman was born in Brooklyn, New York to a Jewish-American family.He graduated from law school and passed his bar exams to practice in the state of New York. Instead of law, encouraged by his friend Johnny Mercer, he embarked on a song-writing career, that saw him become one of the most prominent and successful songwriters in American music history. He was also awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts in Africa, during World War II. Although Sigman wrote many song melodies, he was primarily a lyricist who collaborated with songwriters such as Bob Hilliard, Bob Russell, Jimmy van Heusen, and Duke Ellington.
Herbert A. Magidson was an American popular lyricist, his work was used in over 23 films and four Broadway revues. He won the first Academy Award for Best Original Song in1934. Magidson was born and raised in Braddock, Pennsylvania. He had an early interest in the art of magic and was a member of the Pittsburgh Association of Magicians in his youth. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and then worked briefly for a music publisher in New York City. Magidson then moved to Hollywood, Los Angeles, California in 1929 while under contract to Warner Bros. to write music for films. Magidson collaborated with many songwriters, including Con Conrad, Allie Wrubel, Carl Sigman, Sam H. Stept, and Sammy Fain. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.
