Norman Gimbel

Norman Gimbel
Born(1927-11-16)November 16, 1927
New York City, U.S.
DiedDecember 19, 2018(2018-12-19) (aged 91)
EducationBaruch College, Columbia University
Occupation(s)Lyricist, songwriter
Spouses
  • Elinor Rowley (divorced)
  • Victoria Carver (divorced)
Children4
AwardsAcademy Award for Best Original Song (1980)

Norman Gimbel (November 16, 1927 – December 19, 2018) was an American lyricist and songwriter of popular songs and themes to television shows and films. He wrote the lyrics for songs including "Ready to Take a Chance Again" (with composer Charles Fox) and "Canadian Sunset". He also co-wrote "Killing Me Softly With His Song". He wrote English-language lyrics for many international hits, including "Sway", "Summer Samba", "The Girl from Ipanema", "How Insensitive", "Drinking-Water", "Meditation", "I Will Wait for You" and "Watch What Happens". Of the movie themes he co-wrote, five were nominated for Academy Awards and/or Golden Globe Awards, including "It Goes Like It Goes", from the film Norma Rae, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for 1979. Gimbel was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984.