music critics note that "swanee" is not like most of gershwin's music. later, he wrote true love songs. some were light and funny. some were full of intense feeling. many of these songs were written for the popular musical theater. one of his most emotional love songs never became part of a musical play, however. it is called "the man i love." the song was sung by the francine evans role [played by liza minnelli in martin scorsese's film, new york, new york] and supposedly 'written' by her character for her soon to be husband, jimmy doyle [superbly played by robert de niro], of the jimmy doyle orchestra. his character also 'wrote' the title song, new york, new york, who was actually written by fred ebb, music by kanter, his partner. the song became new york's official anthem in 1985.