Laughter in the Rain

Remembering the American singer, songwriter, and pianist Neil Sedaka, who left behind his music for future generations. He passed from this world on February 27, 2026, at the age of 86.

Neil Sedaka began his musical career in 1957, sold millions of records worldwide, and wrote or co-wrote more than 500 songs for himself and other artists. He collaborated mostly with lyricists Howard Greenfield and Phil Cody.

“Bad Blood” is a song that was written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody. It was recorded with uncredited backing vocals by Elton John. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" is a song that was co-written by Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Sedaka recorded this song twice, in 1962 and in 1975, in two significantly different arrangements. It came to be considered his signature song. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also charted on the Hot R&B Sides chart. The song became an international hit. The Italian version was called "Tu non lo sai" ("You Don't Know") and was recorded by Sedaka himself.

“Calendar Girl” is a song that was composed by Sedaka with lyrics by Howard Greenfield. It came out as a single in 1960 and became a big hit for Sedaka on the US charts.

"Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" is a pop song that came out in 1961 recorded by Sedaka, who wrote the music with lyrics by Howard Greenfield. The song charted on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles charts.

"(Is This the Way to) Amarillo" is a song that was co-written by Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. It is about a man going to Amarillo, Texas to find his girlfriend, Marie. The song has a strong country-western lyrical theme and became a successful version for British musician, singer and actor Tony Christie, becoming an easy listening hit.

"Laughter in the Rain" is a song that was composed and recorded by Sedaka. It became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was Sedaka’s first single to top the Hot 100 and was also at the top of the Adult Contemporary chart. When released in the UK the song was on the UK Singles chart.

“Oh! "Carol" is a song that became an international hit. It was co-written by Sedaka and Howard Greenfield in 1959. Noted for Sedaka's spoken recitation of the verse, the second time around. The song was written explicitly as a sound-alike to other popular hit records of the era. The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK New Musical Express charts. The song was featured in the 1961 album Neil Sedaka Sings Little Devil and His Other Hits. “Carol” was a reference to Carol Klein, Sedaka’s ex-girlfriend from high school, who later used her stage name, Carole King.

“The Hungry Years” is a song that is featured on the album of the same name released by Sedaka in 1975. The song became a commercial success along with the album. The song is among Sedaka’s most frequently requested non-single tracks and marked Sedaka’s reunion with his longtime collaborator Howard Greenfield.

"Solitaire" is a ballad that was composed by Sedaka with lyrics by Phil Cody. It is featured on his 1972 album of the same name. The song uses the card game solitaire as a metaphor for a man "who lost his love through his indifference"—"while life goes on around him everywhere, he's playing solitaire." The song is featured on Sedaka’s comeback album, Sedaka’s Back. He recorded a live-in-concert version at the Royal Festival Hall.

"That's When the Music Takes Me" is a song that was written and originally recorded by Sedaka in 1972. It is featured on his album Solitaire. The song became an easy listening hit. This is one of the few hit songs where Sedaka wrote the lyrics and the music. He used the song as his finale to his concerts.