Clifford Grey, born Percival Davis on January 5, 1887, in Birmingham, Warwickshire, was a prolific English songwriter, librettist, actor, and screenwriter. He was known for his significant contributions to West End and Broadway shows from the First World War to the Second World War. Grey worked with renowned composers such as Ivor Novello, Jerome Kern, Howard Talbot, Ivan Caryll, and George Gershwin. His early career was marked by hits like "If You Were the Only Girl (In the World)" and "Another Little Drink Wouldn't Do Us Any Harm" in 1916. Later successes included "Got a Date with an Angel" and "Spread a Little Happiness."

Grey's career extended to Hollywood, where he wrote lyrics and screenplays for numerous films from 1929 to 1941. Despite a long-standing myth, it was later disproven that Grey competed as an American bobsleigher named Clifford "Tippy" Gray in the 1928 and 1932 Winter Olympics.

Educated at King Edward VI School, Grey initially struggled with various office jobs before finding his calling in the arts. He started as a performer in local concert parties and transitioned to writing lyrics for West End shows by 1912. Grey married Dorothy Maud Mary Gould, with whom he had two daughters and adopted Gould's daughter. Their marriage lasted until Dorothy's death in 1940.

Clifford Grey passed away on September 25, 1941, in Ipswich, leaving behind a legacy of memorable contributions to musical theater and film.