Joseph Aloysius Burke (March 18, 1884 – June 9, 1950) was an influential American composer and pianist, renowned for his contributions to traditional pop music. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Burke studied at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. He began his career as a pianist accompanying silent films and as an arranger in a music publishing firm. Burke also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as "The Senator" (1915) and "The Show of Shows" (1929).

Burke's songwriting career took off with the 1916 hit "Down Honolulu Way," co-written with Earl Burtnett. He achieved widespread fame in the 1920s and 1930s with a series of successful songs, often collaborating with lyricists like Benny Davis, Al Dubin, and Edgar Leslie. Notable hits include "Oh How I Miss You Tonight" (1924), "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" (1929), "Moon Over Miami" (1935), and "Rambling Rose" (1948).

In Hollywood, Burke worked on musical comedies and film scores, contributing to movies like "Gold Diggers of Broadway" (1929). Despite a brief return to New York City after a setback in Hollywood, Burke continued to produce hit songs, dominating the Hit Parade in 1936 with four of the top five songs in the nation.

Burke's compositions have been recorded by a wide array of artists, including Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. Burke passed away in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, in 1950, leaving behind a legacy of over 400 songs that continue to resonate in popular music.