Joseph McCarthy was a prominent American lyricist born on September 27, 1885, in Somerville, Massachusetts. His early career saw him performing as a singer in Boston cafes before transitioning into music publishing. McCarthy moved to New York City, where he joined the staff of the Feist & Co music publishing company on Tin Pan Alley. In 1914, he became a charter member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and served as its director from 1921 to 1929.

McCarthy was a prolific contributor to Broadway, writing scores for productions such as "Oh, Look!", "Irene", "The Broadway Whirl", "Up She Goes", "Kid Boots", and multiple editions of the "Ziegfeld Follies". He collaborated with composers like Harry Tierney, Harry Carroll, Fred Fisher, and Jimmy Monaco. His catalog includes timeless songs such as "You Made Me Love You", "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", "Alice Blue Gown", and "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?".

McCarthy's work extended into film, with his music featured in the 1940 film adaptation of "Irene" and the 1945 movie "Incendiary Blonde". His songs have been performed by numerous artists, making a lasting impact on American music. Joseph McCarthy passed away on December 18, 1943, in New York City. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the development of American popular music.