Irving Berlin wrote this sweet love song for his wife, the writer Ellen Mackay, in 1925 as a wedding gift. We are now celebrating it's 100th anniversary as a classic in the American Songbook, (which actually isn't a real 'book' but an expression used to describe popular songs that have endured the test of time!)
Russian born Israel Isidore Beilin was born in 1888 and emigrated with his family to begin life anew in New York City in the early 1890's. His early life was spent trying to make ends meet in the Lower East side of Manhattan and later the Bowery, delivering newspapers and occasionally singing songs he would hear from the neighboring cafes. Prior to the family's move, Berlin's father had been a Jewish Cantor, serendipitously inspiring the young Irving to begin to craft a modest career as, '...A singing waiter at the Pelham Cafe in Chinatown,' and then a lyricist and composer in the iconic, 'Tin Pan Alley' neighborhood, nicknamed for the raucous piano sounds emanating from various apartments and restaurants along the West Side of 28th street in Manhattan! Berlin taught himself to play the piano, and then compose music. Despite his lack of formal training, he found ways to navigate around those areas, such as using a transposing lever/piano and allowing professional transcribers to notate his musical compositions for him! He began to submit lyrics to publishers, who then requested he follow up with music to accompany them, and by 1911 his first 'hit' "Alexanders Ragtime Band,' established him as a professional songwriter, leading to a career of composing 19 musical shows, 18 movie scores, and over 1,000 songs, including Let's Face the Music and Dance, Cheek to Cheek, Blue Skies, God Bless America, White Christmas and What'll I Do? George Gershwin is said to have considered Berlin, 'The greatest songwriter that has ever lived." (Wyatt, Robert; Johnson, John A. The George Gershwin Reader, Oxford University Press, (2004)
So here we are in 2025, with Valentine's Day soon approaching, celebrating this 100 year old love song by Irving Berlin, who lovingly dedicated this to his wife of 63 years, and who himself lived to 101!
MTM 2025 wishes you love Today...and... ALWAYS.
Please enjoy listening, singing and playing along with this beautiful performance by Mezzo Soprano, Annie Chester.
Additional Resources:
"A Jazz Age Love Story," Irish America Magazine
Irving Berling, The Songwriter's Craft by Laurence Maslon
Performances:
Ella Fitzgerald, (Ella's version with visuals for Classrooms),Ella 1958, Frank Sinatra,(Frank Sinatra 1999),Tony Bennet 1957, Tony Bennet 2014, Bing Crosby & Eugenie Baird, Bing Crosby 1965, Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney Live Recording, Billy Holiday, Naomi Joy Music,
