Ira Gershwin 1896 – 1983

Biography

Ira Gershwin was the wordsmith behind some of America’s most enchanting melodies, crafting lyrics that turned popular song into high art. Born in Manhattan in 1896, he became the lyricist of choice for the era’s greatest composers, bending language to fit music with surgical precision and poetic flair. His gift for clever rhymes and emotional depth transformed how songs could tell stories, making him one of Broadway and Hollywood’s most celebrated voices.

For nearly a century, Gershwin dedicated himself to the craft, building a catalog of standards that defined American musical theater. Working alongside titans of composition, he created works that transcended their moment—witty, sophisticated, and deeply human. His lyrics didn’t just complement melodies; they elevated them, proving that popular song could be both commercially successful and artistically uncompromising.

Gershwin passed away in 1983 at an advanced age, leaving behind a legacy of timeless songs that continue to captivate audiences. Resting at Westchester Hills Cemetery, his influence endures through every jazz standard, every golden-age musical, and every singer who discovers anew the perfect marriage of his words with immortal music.