Born on October 22, 1925, in New Jersey, Dory Previn emerged as one of America’s most introspective and original lyricists, singer-songwriters, and poets. Her career spanned decades and genres, from Hollywood soundstages to deeply personal solo albums that gave voice to emotional truths rarely explored in popular music.

Previn began her career in the late 1950s and 1960s as a lyricist for motion pictures, collaborating with her then-husband, composer André Previn. Together, they penned songs for films such as Pepe, Inside Daisy Clover, and Valley of the Dolls, earning multiple Academy Award nominations. Their work was recorded by legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, and Doris Day, cementing her reputation as a gifted and versatile writer.

But it was in the 1970s, following her divorce from André Previn, that Dory’s voice truly came into its own. After a period of personal crisis and hospitalization, she re-emerged with a series of solo albums that were raw, poetic, and unflinchingly honest. Her debut solo record, On My Way to Where (1970), marked a turning point, blending confessional songwriting with themes of mental health, betrayal, and spiritual searching. Songs like “Beware of Young Girls”—a pointed response to her husband’s affair with Mia Farrow—showcased her lyrical wit and emotional depth.

Over the next six years, Previn released six studio albums and a live album, cultivating a devoted audience drawn to her fearless storytelling and poetic candor. Her work stood alongside contemporaries like Joni Mitchell and Carole King, yet carried a singular voice, one that explored the complexities of womanhood, religion, sexuality, and psychological struggle with nuance and grace.

Beyond music, Dory Previn was also a published poet and memoirist. Her autobiography, Midnight Baby, and other writings offered further insight into a life shaped by trauma, resilience, and artistic exploration. She continued to write and reflect until her passing in 2012 in Southfield, Massachusetts.

Though her name may not be as widely recognized today, Dory Previn’s influence endures. Her songs have been covered by a range of artists, and her legacy is being rediscovered through documentaries and archival projects.