Lyricist Hy Zaret has died at the age of 99 at his home in Connecticut. Born Hyman Zaritsky in 1907 in New York, Zaret will be most remembered for his lyrics to Unchained Melody, a track whose enormous and continued success ensured a lifetime of financial stability. He also co-wrote tracks for the likes of The Andrews Sisters, Jimmy Dorsey and Vaughn Monroe. He later specialised in educational songs for children, one track, 'Why Does The Sun Shine', aka 'The Sun Is A Mass Of Incandescent Gas', being covered by They Might Be Giants, as you might remember, back in 1994.
He is survived by a son, his wife, and one grandson.