Jack Lawrence

Jack Lawrence contributed lyrics (and occasionally music) to several of the most sensitive ballad standards of the 1940s, including "If I Didn't Care," "Tenderly," "All or Nothing at All," and "Beyond the Sea." Born in Brooklyn in 1912, he gained his first success at the age of 20 with "Play, Fiddle, Play." Though few hits were forthcoming, he continued composing and moved to Hollywood in the late '30s to work on Westerns and musicals for Republic Pictures. After the Ink Spots took his "If I Didn't Care" to the hit parade, he assumed far greater leverage with his career. By 19...