Frank Loesser (June 29, 1910 — July 28, 1969) was one of America's major lyricists. A New Yorker by birth, he primarily wrote lyrics early in his career, but became a composer in his own right following his service to the military in World War II. Among his most famous lyrical collaborations are "Heart and Soul" (with Hoagy Carmichael), "Says My Heart" and "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition".
After the war, he moved to Hollywood and penned such standards as "Baby, It's Cold Outside", "A Bushel and a Peck" (from Guys and Dolls, which he scored), and had great success with his score of 1961's Broadway musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. A Songwriters Hall Of Fame member, Loesser was 59 when he died, a victim of too many cigarettes.