Dorothy Goetz
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Goetz was the first wife of the famous songwriter, Irving Berlin
.
She was twenty years old when she met Berlin in New York City
where her older brother singer and lyricist Ray Goetz
(and later a leading Broadway producer) had been collaborating on some tunes with Berlin. Goetz, who was a singer, wanted to meet Berlin in order to obtain one of his songs to sing. At that meeting she got into a brawl with another singer who also wanted the song. Berlin gave the song to the other singer but asked Goetz out on a date. Within a few weeks, they were deeply in love. Berlin proposed marriage some weeks after their meeting. They were married in February 1912, and went to Cuba
on their honeymoon.
Shortly after their arrival an outbreak of typhoid occurred. Upon returning to New York, Dorothy became sick. Her illness worsened over the next few months, with doctors unable to help her, until she died on July 17th.
Berlin was deeply affected by her death and for a while his songwriting was affected and he wrote several joyless songs. Five months later he decided to write about his wife's death, pouring his grief into the ballad
called "When I Lost You
", a simple waltz with a bittersweet harmony under the melancholy melody. Berlin insisted that the song was based on his wife's death, the only song he ever admitted was related to his own experience.
He did not marry again for twelve years.
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
.
She was twenty years old when she met Berlin in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where her older brother singer and lyricist Ray Goetz
E. Ray Goetz
Edward Ray Goetz was an American composer, songwriter, author and producer. He was a charter member of ASCAP in 1914, and was a director until 1917. Goetz appeared in the films Somebody Loves Me , The Greatest Show On Earth and For Me And My Gal . He wrote the songs "Toddling The Todalo" and "For...
(and later a leading Broadway producer) had been collaborating on some tunes with Berlin. Goetz, who was a singer, wanted to meet Berlin in order to obtain one of his songs to sing. At that meeting she got into a brawl with another singer who also wanted the song. Berlin gave the song to the other singer but asked Goetz out on a date. Within a few weeks, they were deeply in love. Berlin proposed marriage some weeks after their meeting. They were married in February 1912, and went to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
on their honeymoon.
Shortly after their arrival an outbreak of typhoid occurred. Upon returning to New York, Dorothy became sick. Her illness worsened over the next few months, with doctors unable to help her, until she died on July 17th.
Berlin was deeply affected by her death and for a while his songwriting was affected and he wrote several joyless songs. Five months later he decided to write about his wife's death, pouring his grief into the ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
called "When I Lost You
When I Lost You
"When I Lost You" is a song with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin written in 1912 after his wife of five months, the former Dorothy Goetz, died of typhoid fever. In it he poured out the grief of his loss, the only song that he ever admitted had such a connection to his own life...
", a simple waltz with a bittersweet harmony under the melancholy melody. Berlin insisted that the song was based on his wife's death, the only song he ever admitted was related to his own experience.
He did not marry again for twelve years.