Ira Gershwin
FameRank: 4

"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 theatre/Broadway shows, featuring songs such as "I Got Rhythm", "Embraceable You", "The Man I Love (song)/The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me (song)/Someone to Watch Over Me". He was also responsible, along with DuBose Heyward, for the libretto to George's 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. He wrote additional 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.

If you enjoy these quotes, be sure to check out other famous musicians! More Ira Gershwin on Wikipedia.

Old age adds to the respect due to virtue, but it takes nothing from the contempt inspired by vice; it whitens only the hair.

Deep, unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, the initiation into a new state.

A terrible movie.

One can be very happy without demanding that others agree with them.