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Speaking of his work with Johnny Mercer, Arlen says, `` Our working habits were strange.

After we got a script and the spots for the songs were blocked out, we'd get together for an hour or so every day.

While Johnny made himself comfortable on the couch, I'd play the tunes for him.

He has a wonderfully retentive memory.

After I would finish playing the songs, he'd just go away without a comment.

I wouldn't hear from him for a couple of weeks, then he'd come around with the completed lyric ''.