American composer & lyricist (1888-1989)
Living on a larger scale would soon entail a lot of care and strife
We could be so happy with the little things in life
A little rain, a little sun, a little work, a little fun
A little time for loving when the day is done
IRVING BERLIN
"The Little Things in Life"
You want who you want in the summer
You get who you want that fall
But after you've got who you wanted, it's not
The one whom you wanted at all
IRVING BERLIN
"After the Honeymoon"
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"
This is the army, Mr. Jones,
No private baths or telephones.
IRVING BERLIN
This Is the Army
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
I wonder if we'll ever meet
My song of love is incomplete
I'm just the words, looking for the tune
Reaching for the moon and you
IRVING BERLIN
"Reaching for the Moon"
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
For the longest while
I'd forget to smile,
Then I met you.
IRVING BERLIN
"Always"
He keeps me dancing morning, noon and night
Dancing fills 'im with delight
I am black and blue from the dance I do
But outside of that ev'ry little thing's all right
IRVING BERLIN
"Harem Life"
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"
I'd wish for a night in June
A silv'ry moon real soon
A moon that makes you want to spoon
And softly croon love's tune
Then a tree that I could trust
A bench that holds just two
Then I'd wish for Cupid's loving dish
And then I'd wish for you
IRVING BERLIN
"Wishing"
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
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"