George and Ira Gershwin’s music could lift the hearts and spirits of people during the worst economic downturn of the last century. Gershwin music is so timeless, it continues to cheer people during our current downturn and keep them dancing, or at least bouncing in their seats, with melodies influenced by the composer’s zest for life and his Jazz Age optimism.

It’s a great way to forget the pressures and stress of our lives today, if only for a short while, with the positive lyrics of Ira paired with his brother’s rhapsodic music.