William Dillon


William Austin Dillon was an American songwriter and Vaudevillian. He is best known as the lyricist for the song "I Want A Girl ", written in collaboration with Harry Von Tilzer., which can be heard in Show Business and The Jolson Story.
Dillon was born in Cortland, New York and performed in vaudeville with his brothers John and Harry, as well as with own act, billed as the "man of a thousand songs".
Dillon married in 1918 to Georgia Leola Head, daughter of George and Mary Head.
He quit the vaudeville stage around 1912 after injuries suffered in a car accident, but remained active in the entertainment world as a songwriter andtheater operator. Dillon eventually returned to performing for troops in World War II and made television appearances.
He died in Ithaca, New York on February 10, 1966.

Selected songs

  • "Every Little Bit Added to What You've Got Makes Just a Little Bit More"
  • "I'd Rather Have a Girlie Than an Automobile"
  • "Keep Your Foot on the Soft Pedal"
  • "I Want A Girl "
  • "All Alone"
  • "That Girl of Mine"
  • "I'll Wed the Girl I Left Behind"
  • "On the Old Back Seat of the Henry Ford"
  • "My Grandfather's Girl"
  • "Take Me to My Alabam"
  • "Keep Right on to the End of the Road"
  • "Me and My Uncle Sam"