# J. Fred Coots

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American songwriter (1897–1985)

J. Fred Coots Background information Also known as J. Fred Coots Fred Coots Born John Frederick Coots (1897-05-02)May 2, 1897 Origin Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Died April 8, 1985(1985-04-08) (aged 87) New York City, U.S. Genres Tin Pan Alley Occupation Composer Instrument Piano

Musical artist

**John Frederick Coots**, better known as **J. Fred Coots** or **Fred Coots**, (May 2, 1897 – April 8, 1985) was an American [songwriter](/source/Songwriter).[1] He composed more than 700 popular songs and more than a dozen [Broadway shows](/source/Broadway_show). In 1934, Coots wrote the melody with his then chief collaborator, lyricist [Haven Gillespie](/source/Haven_Gillespie), for the biggest success of either man's career, "[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town](/source/Santa_Claus_Is_Comin'_to_Town)."[2][3][4][5] The song became one of the biggest sellers in American history.[6]

In 1934, when Gillespie brought him the lyrics to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", Coots developed the outline of the melody in just ten minutes. Coots took the song to his publisher, [Leo Feist](/source/Leo_Feist), who liked it but thought it was "a kids' song" and didn't expect too much from it.[7] Coots offered the song to [Eddie Cantor](/source/Eddie_Cantor) who used it for his radio show that November and it became an instant success. The morning after the radio show there were orders for 100,000 copies of sheet music and by Christmas sales had passed 400,000.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Biography

Coots was born in 1897 in [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn), [New York](/source/New_York_(state))[A]When he was 17 years old, he began to work for Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. in New York[8]In 1916, his first successful song was published, "Mr. Ford You've Got The Right Idea," words by [Ray Sherwood](/source/Ray_Sherwood), music by Coots; [A. J. Stasny Music Co.](/source/A._J._Stasny_Music_Co.), publisher [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [726927577](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/726927577)[8] In 1919, actor-producer [Eddie Dowling](/source/Eddie_Dowling) gave Coots his first chance at writing a musical score for [Friars' Frolics](/source/New_York_Friars_Club). In 1922, [Dowling](/source/Eddie_Dowling) commissioned Coots to write the songs for *Sally, Irene and Mary,* a show which ran for two years on Broadway. In 1928, he wrote "Doin' The Raccoon". He relocated to Los Angeles the next year. In 1931, he wrote. "[Love Letters in the Sand](/source/Love_Letters_in_the_Sand)" In 1934, he wrote the songs "[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town](/source/Santa_Claus_Is_Comin'_to_Town)" (more than 4 million copies of sheet music sold) and "[For All We Know](/source/For_All_We_Know_(1934_song))" In 1940, he wrote "[The Rangers' Victory Song](/source/History_of_the_New_York_Rangers#Victory_song)";[i] [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [812404397](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/812404397) He married Marjorie Decker Jennings on February 18, 1924, in [Manhattan](/source/Manhattan).[A] He died in 1985 in a [New York City](/source/New_York_City) hospital, after a lengthy illness[9]

## Selected songs

- "[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town](/source/Santa_Claus_Is_Comin'_to_Town)," words by [Haven Gillespie](/source/Haven_Gillespie), music by Coots

- - [Leo Feist, Inc.](/source/Leo_Feist%2C_Inc.), publisher (1934); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [21070165](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/21070165), [11064929](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11064929) - © September 27, 1934, Class E unpublished 93634, [Leo Feist, Inc.](/source/Leo_Feist%2C_Inc.), New York[ii] - © October 23, 1934, Class E published 44456, October 25, 1934, [Leo Feist, Inc.](/source/Leo_Feist%2C_Inc.)[iii] - © Renewal September 27, 1961, R28248025, Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots - © Renewal October 25, 1961, R283907, Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots[a]

- "[You Go to My Head](/source/You_Go_to_My_Head)," words by [Haven Gillespie](/source/Haven_Gillespie), music by Coots

- - [Remick Music](/source/Jerome_H._Remick) (1938); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [44053966](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44053966), [858643370](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/858643370)

- "[Louisiana Fairy Tale](/source/Louisiana_Fairy_Tale)," words and music by [Mitchell Parish](/source/Mitchell_Parish), [Haven Gillespie](/source/Haven_Gillespie), and Coots

- - [Mills Music](/source/Mills_Music) (1935); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [27211518](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/27211518) - © April 5, 1935, Class E 47450, [Mills Music, Inc.](/source/Irving_Mills), New York[iv]

- "[For All We Know](/source/For_All_We_Know_(1934_song))," words by [Sam M. Lewis](/source/Sam_M._Lewis), music by Coots

- - [Leo Feist, Inc.](/source/Leo_Feist%2C_Inc.) (1934); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [21070175](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/21070175), [40509506](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/40509506) - © March 14, 1934, Class E unpublished 84751, [Leo Feist, Inc.](/source/Leo_Feist%2C_Inc.), New York[v]

- "I Still Get a Thrill (Thinking of You)," words by [Benny Davis](/source/Benny_Davis), music by Coots

- - Davis, Coots & Engel[B] (1930); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [13168438](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/13168438)

- "There's Honey On The Moon Tonight," words by [Haven Gillespie](/source/Haven_Gillespie) and Mack Davis, music by Coots

- - [Miller Music, Inc.](/source/Miller_Music_Publishing_Co.) (1938); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [22925119](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22925119)

## Selected musicals

- *Sally, Irene and Mary*, music by Coots, words by Raymond W. Klages (1888–1947), March 23, 1925 – April 4, 1925 & September 4, 1922 – June 2, 1923 [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [498812201](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/498812201), [498526150](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/498526150)

1. "Kid Days"

1. "Time Will Tell" [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [39975531](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39975531), [224102588](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224102588)

1. "Pals"

1. "Stage Door Johnnies"

1. "I Wonder Why" [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [20597875](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20597875)

1. "Do You Remember?"

1. "How I've Missed You Mary" [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [891128783](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/891128783)

1. "Right Boy Comes Along"

1. "Our Home Sweet Home"

1. "Peacock Alley"

1. "Something in Here"

1. "Opportunity"

1. "We Are Waiting"

1. "Clouds Roll By" [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [498831287](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/498831287)

1. "Until You Say Yes"

1. "Wedding Time"

1. "Old Fashioned Gown" [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [755811220](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/755811220), [498526150](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/498526150)

1. "When a Regular Boy Loves a Regular Girl" [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [755811215](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/755811215), [497282681](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/497282681)

1. "Up on Fifth Avenue Near Central Park"

1. "Jimmy" [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [497894150](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/497894150)

- *[Sons O' Guns](/source/Sons_O'_Guns),* music by Coots, November 26, 1929 – August 9, 1930

- *Broadway Nights*, featuring songs by Coots, July 15, 1929 – August 17, 1929

- [George White's Scandals](/source/George_White's_Scandals), musical review, featuring songs by Coots, July 2, 1928 – January 19, 1929

- *White Lights*, music by Coots, October 11, 1927 – November 5, 1927

- *Gay Paree,* musical review, music and lyrics by Coots, November 9, 1926 – April 9, 1927 & August 18, 1925 – January 30, 1926

- *A Night in Paris*, musical review, music by Coots, July 26, 1926 – October 30, 1926 & January 5, 1926 – July 10, 1926

- *The Merry World*, musical review, music by Coots, June 8, 1926 – August 21, 1926

- *Mayflowers*, music by Coots, November 24, 1925 – January 30, 1926

- *June Days*, musical, music by Coots, August 6, 1925 – October 17, 1925

- *Artists and Models*, musical review, music by Coots, June 24, 1925 – May 7, 1926

- *Artists and Models*, musical review, music by Coots, October 15, 1924 – May 23, 1925

- *Innocent Eyes*, musical review, additional music by Coots, May 20, 1924 – August 30, 1924

- *[Dew Drop Inn](/source/Dew_Drop_Inn_(musical))*, musical comedy, featuring songs by Coots, May 17, 1923 – August 25, 1923

- *Spice of 1922*, musical review, music by Coots, July 6, 1922 – September 9, 1922

## External links

- [J. Fred Coots](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/11541) at the [Internet Broadway Database](/source/Internet_Broadway_Database)

- [Entry at Songwriters Hall of Fame (includes a complete list of compositions)](https://web.archive.org/web/20081206202127/http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C45)

- [J. Fred Coots recordings](https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106489) at the [Discography of American Historical Recordings](/source/Discography_of_American_Historical_Recordings).

## Notes and references

**Notes**

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Coots_place_of_birth_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Coots_place_of_birth_8-1) Several biographies state that John Frederick Coots was born in [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn). He married Marjorie Decker Jennings on February 18, 1924, in [Manhattan](/source/Manhattan). Their marriage license states that he was born in Brooklyn. Also, his World War I Draft Registration Card states that he was born in Brooklyn. However, an April 6, 1930, *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)* article, "In the Spotlight's Glare," states that he was born in [Keene, New Hampshire](/source/Keene%2C_New_Hampshire).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Engel_bio_17-0)** Harry Engel (1894 [Vienna, Austria](/source/Vienna%2C_Austria) – 1965 [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles)) had been a sheet music traveling salesman for Richmond-Robbins, Inc. — Maurice Aaron Richmond (1878–1965) and nephew, John J. (Jack) Robbins (1894–1959) — then Robbins-Engel, Inc., the Irving Berlin; then after his affiliation with Davis, Coots & Engel, Inc., he later became head of West Coast Operations for [BMI](/source/Broadcast_Music%2C_Inc.)

**Original copyrights**

- *[Catalog of Copyright Entries](/source/Catalog_of_Copyright_Entries), Part 3 Musical Compositions, New Series*, [Library of Congress](/source/Library_of_Congress), [Copyright Office](/source/United_States_Copyright_Office)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Copyright_Cat_1940_35_4_10-0)** [Vol. 35, No. 4](https://books.google.com/books?id=tCVjAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA569), 1940, pg. 569

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Copyright_Cat_E93634_12-0)** [Vol. 29, No. 9](https://archive.org/stream/catalogofcopyrig293libr#page/893/mode/2up), 1934, pg. 892

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Copyright_Cat_E44456_13-0)** [Vol. 29, No. 9](https://archive.org/stream/catalogofcopyrig293libr#page/990/mode/2up/search/44456), 1934, pg. 990

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Copyright_Cat_1935_30_4_15-0)** [Vol. 30, No. 4](https://books.google.com/books?id=pT1jAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA406), 1935, pg. 406

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Copyright_Cat_1934_29_3_16-0)** [Vol. 30, No. 3](https://books.google.com/books?id=TzhjAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA245), 1935, pg. 246

**Copyright renewals**

- *[Catalog of Copyright Entries](/source/Catalog_of_Copyright_Entries), Part 3, Musical Compositions, Third Series*, [Library of Congress](/source/Library_of_Congress), [Copyright Office](/source/United_States_Copyright_Office)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1961_R_283907_14-0)** [Vol. 15, Part 5, No. 2](https://archive.org/stream/catalogofcopyrig3155libr#page/1706/mode/2up), July–December 1961, pg. 246, pg. 1706

**Inline citations**

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NYS_1930_Apr_6_1-0)** "In the Spotlight's Glare," *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times),* April 6, 1930

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Annual_Obits_1985_2-0)** *The Annual Obituary,* Margot Levy (ed.), [St. James Press](/source/St._James_Press) (1985); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [153294307](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/153294307)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bio_Index_3-0)** *[Biography Index](/source/Biography_Index),* [H.W. Wilson Co.](/source/H.W._Wilson_Co.); [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0006-3053](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0006-3053) Vol. 14: Sep. 1984 – Aug. 1986 (1986); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [30457106](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/30457106) Vol. 15: Sep. 1986 – Aug. 1988 (1988); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [30326307](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/30326307) Vol. 16: Sep. 1988 – Aug. 1990 (1990); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [30326352](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/30326352)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Harrison_1998_4-0)** *Songwriters: A Biographical Dictionary with Discographies*, by Nigel Harrison, [Jefferson, North Carolina](/source/Jefferson%2C_North_Carolina): [McFarland & Co.](/source/McFarland_%26_Co.) (1998); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [38964064](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/38964064)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NYTs_bio_service_1986_5-0)** *The New York Times Biographical Service,* Vol. 16, Nos. 1–12, [Ann Arbor](/source/Ann_Arbor): [University Microfilms International](/source/University_Microfilms_International) (1985); [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0161-2433](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0161-2433)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Whitburn_6-0)** *Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories, 1890–1954,* [Record Research](/source/Record_Research) (1986); [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [15252908](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15252908)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Kiwanis_Mag_Dec_1956_7-0)** "The Story of the song 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,'" *The Kiwanis Magazine* December 1956; [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0023-1975](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0023-1975) ([excerpt](http://www.kiwanis.org/magazine/1205mmaclause.asp))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Billboard_1950_Mar_18_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Billboard_1950_Mar_18_9-1) ["Honor Roll of Hits,"](https://books.google.com/books?id=OwEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40) [Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)), March 18, 1950

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Obituaries"](https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/04/11/OBITUARIES/3440482043600/). New York: [United Press International](/source/United_Press_International). April 11, 1985. Retrieved November 1, 2025.

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Italy 2 Czech Republic Spain Netherlands Latvia Sweden Poland Israel Finland Catalonia Belgium Artists MusicBrainz Discography of American Historical Recordings People Trove Deutsche Biographie Other IdRef SNAC RISM Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [J. Fred Coots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Fred_Coots) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Fred_Coots?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.