Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century.
With George he wrote more than a dozen Broadway shows, featuring songs such as "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me," and the opera Porgy and Bess.
The success the brothers had with their collaborative works has often overshadowed the creative role that Ira played. However, his mastery of songwriting continued after the early death of George; and he wrote further hit songs with composers Jerome Kern ("Long Ago (And Far Away)", Kurt Weill and Harold Arlen.
His critically-acclaimed book Lyrics on Several Occasions of 1959, an amalgam of autobiography and annotated anthology, is an important source for studying the art of the lyricist in the golden age of American popular song.
“Holding hands at midnight 'Neath a starry sky... Nice work if you can get it And you can get it -- if you try.”
“The way you wear your hat, The way you sip your tea, The mem'ry of all that -- No, no! They can't take that away from me!”
“There's a somebody I'm longing to see,I hope that he, turns out to be,someone to watch over me.”
“If you'll promise not to cry, Baby,I will kiss you by-and-by—Maybe!Though you're six feet three,You will always beNothing but a Baby, dear, to me.”
“If I'm a guy who doesn't seem so merry,It's just because I'm so misunderstood.When I was young I ate a dictionary,And that did not do me a bit of good.For I've absorbed so many words and phrases—They drive me dizzy when I want to speak.I start explaining but each person gazesAs if I spoke in Latin or in Greek.”
“But, tell me, is it worth the while To decorate this earth the while The men are so unworthy of our zeal? No more the days of heroes now—The men are only zeros now—A sex without the slightest sex appeal.”
“The future of this nation, with the present generation, You must admit is nothing but a joke”
“If you've ever wondered where the good songs goAfter they've had their day,You'll be glad to meet a man I know,Wrinkled old and gray.He collects the tunes that time has thrown aside—Puts them under lock and key;For a penny he is glad to set them free.”
“I'd like to add her initial to my monogram...”
“Damn it all! What rhymes with rhythm?”