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Richard Wayne Penniman (born December 5, 1932), known by his stage name Little Richard, is an American recording artist, songwriter, and musician. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for over six decades. Penniman's most celebrated work dates from the mid 1950s where his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock and roll. His music also had a pivotal impact on the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. Penniman influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to rap.

Penniman has been honored by many institutions, including inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Recording Academy and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Penniman's "Tutti Frutti" (1955) was included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2010, claiming the "unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music."

The blue sky can collapse in on itself
And the earth can cave in
Little matters to me if you love me
I couldn't care less about the whole world

As long as love will flood my mornings
As long as my body will quiver beneath your hands
The problems matter so little to me
My love, because you love me

I would go to the ends of the earth
I would dye my hair blonde
If you asked me to

I would pull down the moon
I would steal fortune
If you asked me to

I would disavow my homeland
I would disavow my friends
If you asked me to

One could well laugh at me
I would do anything
If you asked me to

If one day life tears you away from me
If you die and go far from me
Little matters to me if you love me
Because I will die too

We would have eternity for ourselves
In the blue of all the immensity
In heaven, no more problems
My love, do you believe that we love each other?
God reunites those who love each other

James Melvin "Jim" Messina (born December 5, 1947) is an American musician, songwriter, singer, recording engineer, and record producer. He was a member of folk rock group Buffalo Springfield, a founding member of country rock pioneer Poco, and half of the soft rock duo Loggins and Messina.[1]

Ira Gershwin (December 6, 1896 – August 17, 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century.[1]

With George he wrote more than a dozen Broadway shows, featuring songs such as "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." He was also responsible, along with DuBose Heyward, for the libretto to George's opera Porgy and Bess.

The success the brothers had with their collaborative works has often overshadowed the creative role that Ira played. However, his mastery of songwriting continued after the early death of George. He wrote additional hit songs with composers Jerome Kern ("Long Ago (and Far Away)"), Kurt Weill and Harold Arlen.