American composer & lyricist (1888-1989)
It's the lyrics that makes a song a hit, although the tune, of course, is what makes it last.
IRVING BERLIN
Irving Berlin: A Life in Song
Never hate a song that's sold a half million copies.
IRVING BERLIN
attributed, Encyclopaedia of the Musical Film
Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things go oh so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my my how they fly
Blue days, all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies from now on.
IRVING BERLIN
"Blue Skies"
If I could meet
A girl as sweet
I'd simply claim her
And name her my queen
For if she ever came
I would love her the same
As I love her on the cover of a magazine
IRVING BERLIN
"The Girl on the Magazine Cover"
Maybe it's because the kiss you gave me,
Touched my heart and went right through.
I can't tell you why, I only know
That I fell helplessly in love with you.
IRVING BERLIN
"Maybe It's Because"
My ambition is to reach the heart of the average American, not the highbrow nor the lowbrow but that vast intermediate crew which is the real soul of the country.
IRVING BERLIN
The Improbable Life of Irving Berlin
There is no set time it takes to compose a song. They come easy sometimes, but more often they are stubborn, difficult things to drag out of the mind.
IRVING BERLIN
attributed, IMDb
Heaven, I'm in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek
IRVING BERLIN
"Cheek to Cheek", Top Hat
This is the army, Mr. Jones,
No private baths or telephones.
IRVING BERLIN
This Is the Army
My uncle out in Texas
Can't even write his name
He signs his checks with X's
But they cash 'em just the same
IRVING BERLIN
"Doin' What Comes Naturally"
When I wrote "God Bless America," they said it was too corny, but it's still around.
IRVING BERLIN
Los Angeles Times, March 27, 1988
A little bungalow an hour or so from anywhere
A little cozy nest, the kind that's best for two
Among the shady trees, with birds and bees, and lots of air
And just enough o' ground to fool around with you
IRVING BERLIN
"A Little Bungalow"
You don't have to know how to read or write
When you're out with a feller in the pale moonlight
You don't have to look in a book to find
What he thinks of the moon or what is on his mind
IRVING BERLIN
"Doin' What Comes Naturally"