For example, let us all now praise Jule Styne, who wrote a song so perfect that it could be performed very differently by different artists.

The song is “Make Someone Happy,” sung originally in the 1960 Broadway musical Do Re Mi by John Reardon.

In 1964 Jimmy Durante (yes, he sang) released it as a track on his album Jimmy Durante’s Way of Life…”

In 1967 the San Francisco folk band We Five made it the title track of their second studio album. It was the last album on which their lead singer Beverly Bivens would perform.

Mr. Styne wrote and published more than 1,500 songs during his lengthy career. 10 of them were nominated for Academy Awards. You may have heard “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” or “Don’t Rain on My Parade” or “Three Coins in a Fountain,” in addition to “Make Someone Happy.”