Hart, Lorenz (1895-1943), was an American writer of lyrics of popular songs. He became famous for the songs that he and the composer Richard Rodgers created for many musical comedies. Rodgers and Hart were the first team in which the lyricist received equal billing with the composer.
Hart was born on May 2, 1895, in New York City. He and Rodgers began to work together in 1919 and achieved their first success with The Garrick Gaities (1925). The team produced its best work during the late 1920’s and the 1930’s. During that period, only Cole Porter rivaled Hart for satirical wit and freshness of rhymes. Hart’s best-known songs include “Falling in Love with Love,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Thou Swell,” “Where or When,” “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” and “Manhattan.” These songs appeared in such musicals as A Connecticut Yankee (1927), Babes in Arms (1937), The Boys from Syracuse (1938), and Pal Joey (1940).
Hart and Rodgers moved to Hollywood in 1930 to compose for motion pictures. They returned to New York City in 1934 and resumed writing for the stage. Hart died on Nov. 22, 1943.
