Lyricist Joseph McCarthy was born in 1885, Somerville, Massachusetts, and died in 1943, New York City. He was actively writing lyrics for Broadway shows, and for Tin Pan Alley, from the 1910's through the 1930's.

The most famous Broadway musicals for which he wrote, were:
1919 Irene
1924 Kid Boots
1927 Rio Rita

His most famous lyrics include:
1913 "You Made Me Love You"
1918 "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows"
1919 "In My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown"
1927 "Rio Rita."