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George David Weiss

1921 – 2010

American songwriter and arranger; President of the Songwriters Guild of America

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About George David Weiss

Lived 1921 – 2010 (aged 89). George David Weiss was an American composer, songwriter, poet, musician and arrangement.

George David Weiss (April 9, 1921 – August 23, 2010)

He is an inductee in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Biography Weiss (left) with Bennie Benjamin in their New York office, 1947; by William P. Gottlieb Weiss was born in a Jewish family and originally planned a career as a lawyer or accountant; however, out of a love for music, he was led to attend the Juilliard School of Music,

Notable songs "Cross over the Bridge" (1945) – co-written by Bennie Benjamin, recorded by Patti Page "Oh! What It Seemed to Be" (1946) – co-written by Bennie Benjamin and Frankie Carle, recorded by Frankie Carle and Frank Sinatra who both took it to #1 "Lullaby of Birdland" (1952) – under the pseudonym "B. Y. Forster", with music by George Shearing "Mr. Wonderful" (1955) – co-written by Jerry Bock and Lawrence Holofcener "Mandolins in the Moonlight (1958) – co-written by Aaron Schroeder, recorded by Perry Como "Johnny Freedom" (1960) – co-written by Jule Styne, recorded by Johnny Horton "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (1961) – originally written by Solomon Linda in 1939; lyrics rewritten in 1961 by Weiss, Luigi Creatore, and Hugo Peretti; recorded by The Tokens "Can't Help Falling in Love" (1961) – co-written by Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti, recorded by Elvis Presley "Wild in the Country" (1961) – co-written by Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti, recorded by Elvis Presley for the movie of the same name "That Sunday, That Summer" (1963) – co-written by Joe Sherman "Stay With Me" (1966) – co-written by Jerry Ragovoy, recorded by Lorraine Ellison "What a Wonderful World" (1968) – co-written by Bob Thiele, recorded by Louis Armstrong "Let's Put It All Together" (1974) – co-written by Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti, recorded by The Stylistics

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Juilliard School
Also known as
George Weiss, B. Y. Forster

People in George David Weiss's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped George David Weiss's

Frequently asked questions

Who was George David Weiss?

American songwriter and arranger; President of the Songwriters Guild of America (1921-2010)

When was George David Weiss born?

George David Weiss was born on 9 April 1921 in New York City.

When did George David Weiss die?

George David Weiss died on 23 August 2010 in New Jersey.

What was George David Weiss's occupation?

George David Weiss was a composer, songwriter, poet, musician and arrangement.

What nationality was George David Weiss?

George David Weiss was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: George David Weiss

· Wikidata: Q1507215

· DBpedia: George David Weiss

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George David Weiss. https://biography.guide/george-david-weiss/

MLA: "George David Weiss." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-david-weiss/.

Chicago: "George David Weiss." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-david-weiss/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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