Alberta Nichols was an influential American songwriter born on December 3, 1898, in Lincoln, Illinois. She passed away on February 4, 1957, in Hollywood, California. Nichols was renowned for her contributions to the music of the 1930s and 1940s, often collaborating with her husband, lyricist Mann Holiner. Together, they composed over 100 songs, with notable hits including "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" and "A Love Like Ours."

Nichols studied piano at the Louisville Conservatory under the tutelage of George Copeland and Alfred Calzin. Her career was diverse, encompassing work for vaudeville, radio, musical theater, and film. In 1931, Nichols and Holiner teamed up with Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin, and L.E. Freeman to create the Broadway show "Rhapsody in Black," and they co-wrote the song "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," which was famously recorded by Billie Holiday in 1942.

The Nichols-Holiner duo also contributed music to several Broadway productions, including "Blackbirds of 1933" and "Angela," the latter starring Jeanette MacDonald. Their song "A Love Like Ours" was featured in the film "Two Girls and a Sailor," starring Van Johnson and June Allyson. Other notable songs by the duo include "There Never Was a Town like Paris," "Sing a Little Tune," "You Can't Stop Me from Loving You," and "Why Shouldn't It Happen to Us?" which was recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1945.

Alberta Nichols left a lasting legacy in American music, celebrated for her melodic contributions and collaborations that enriched the cultural tapestry of her time.