Ira Gershwin

Ira Gershwin (1896–1983) was an American lyricist best known for his long and fruitful collaboration with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin. Born Israel Gershowitz in New York City to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, Ira grew up in a family that deeply valued music and culture. Although he initially pursued a variety of interests and studied at City College of New York, it was George’s growing success as a composer that inspired Ira to try his hand at lyric writing. He began his career under the pen name “Arthur Francis,” eventually dropping the pseudonym once he and George became a recognized songwriting team.

Together, Ira and George Gershwin created some of the most enduring works in American popular music and musical theatre. Their partnership produced a dazzling array of Broadway hits, including Lady, Be Good! (1924), Oh, Kay! (1926), Funny Face (1927), and Girl Crazy (1930). The brothers were celebrated for blending witty, sophisticated lyrics with jazzy, modern melodies, helping to define the sound of the Jazz Age. Ira’s sharp wordplay and elegant phrasing perfectly complemented George’s inventive harmonies and rhythms, resulting in timeless standards like “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” and “I Got Rhythm.”

Their collaboration reached new artistic heights with Of Thee I Sing (1931), the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show’s satirical take on American politics showcased Ira’s gift for humor and social commentary. The Gershwin brothers later turned to more ambitious works that bridged Broadway and opera, most notably Porgy and Bess (1935). Although initially met with mixed reviews, Porgy and Bess became one of the most important and frequently performed American operas, featuring unforgettable songs such as “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

After George’s untimely death in 1937, Ira continued to work with other leading composers of the day, including Harold Arlen, Kurt Weill, Jerome Kern, and Harry Warren. He wrote the lyrics for several successful films, such as Cover Girl (1944), and contributed to Hollywood’s Golden Age with songs like “Long Ago (and Far Away)” and “The Man That Got Away.” Though he never again achieved the same level of creative synergy he shared with his brother, Ira remained a respected figure in the American musical landscape.

In his later years, Ira devoted himself to preserving and promoting the Gershwin legacy. He compiled and edited collections of their work, wrote essays about their creative process, and collaborated on projects that ensured the brothers’ contributions would endure for generations. Ira Gershwin’s brilliant wit, poetic lyricism, and unmatched partnership with George helped elevate the American songbook to an art form. His words continue to resonate through countless performances, recordings, and revivals that celebrate the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood.