A classic song

As a proud daughter of Milton Ager, composer of “Happy Days Are Here Again,” I question your having characterized as a “jingle” this great and continuously popular song (“Politicians Hope Music Puts Them in Tune with Their Voters,” by Eric R. Danton, Nov. 7). Jack Yellen, my father’s songwriting and publishing partner, was the lyricist.

“Happy Days Are Here Again” served as the Democratic Party’s campaign song for Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy and Johnson. It was continuously on ASCAP’s (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) annual list of its most-performed standards, first published on ASCAP’s 50th anniversary in 1964 and maintained through 1988. Jingle indeed!

Laurel Ager Bentley

Manhattan Beach