If you’ve ever seen Casablanca, you’ve heard the song As Time Goes By, but only the chorus.
You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.
…
Did you know the song includes references to relativity and four-dimensional geometry?
Here’s the first verse.
This day and age we’re living in
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like fourth dimension.Yet we get a trifle weary
With Mr. Einstein’s theory.
So we must get down to earth at times
Relax relieve the tension.And no matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed.
Here are the full lyrics.
Via Math Mutation podcast #134.
Kind of ruins the sentiment…
Hi Dr. Cook. Thanks for your posting about “As Time Goes By.” I am a 75 year old piano player and singer with the business name “Casablanca Piano” so I have a pretty serious interest in this song. I have two points which you may find a bit annoying but that is what science is about right? The first issue is that you refer to your added material as the “First Verse.” In the modern American music tradition that stuff is just called “the Verse,” so it is not the first verse. The other point is that in my listening to a very early Rudy Vallee recording he sings “third dimension” rather than “fourth”. Thought you’d like to know. All the best.
Bob Allison