You know the tune. Even if you’ve never sat through a black-and-white movie in your life, you know those first few notes. It’s that dusty, nostalgic piano melody that feels like a heavy coat on a rainy night. As Time Goes By isn't just a song; it’s basically the DNA of cinematic romance. But here’s the thing that trips most people up: it wasn't actually written for Casablanca.
Most fans assume it was composed specifically for Rick and Ilsa to stare longingly at each other in a smoky Moroccan bar. Nope. It was actually a "flop" from a 1931 Broadway musical called Everybody's Welcome. Herman Hupfeld wrote it years before Ingrid Bergman ever stepped onto a Warner Bros. lot. It’s wild to think that one of the most famous pieces of music in history was essentially a recycled track that nobody cared about for an entire decade.
The Song That Almost Didn't Make the Cut
If things had gone according to the original plan, we wouldn't even be talking about this song today. Max Steiner, the legendary composer behind the Casablanca score, actually hated it. He thought it was dated. He wanted to replace it with an original composition he’d written himself. Honestly, can you blame him? He was one of the biggest names in Hollywood, and he was being told to use some old tune from a failed play.
The only reason "As Time Goes By" stayed in the movie is because of a haircut. No, seriously. By the time Steiner voiced his complaints, Ingrid Bergman had already cut her hair short for her next role in For Whom the Bell Tolls. Because of the haircut, they couldn't reshoot the scenes where she’s listening to Sam play the piano. The producers were stuck. They had to keep the song because the visual continuity was ruined otherwise. It’s one of those beautiful accidents that defines pop culture.
Why Sam’s Version Hits Different
When Dooley Wilson sits down at that piano as "Sam," something magical happens. Fun fact: Wilson was a professional drummer, not a pianist. While he’s "playing" in the film, the actual piano music you hear was being played by a musician named Elliot Carpenter, who was positioned behind a curtain so Wilson could watch his hands and mimic the movements.
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The lyrics are deceptively simple. "A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh." It’s a bit cynical, isn't it? It’s basically saying that despite all the geopolitical chaos of World War II—all the planes, the guns, the shifting borders—human emotions remain these tiny, unchanging constants. The world is falling apart, but people still fall in love. That contrast is why the song works. It’s an anchor.
A Quick Look at the Lyrics' Philosophy
The song argues that the "fundamental things apply." In 1942, that was a radical thing to say. The world was changing faster than anyone could keep up with. Technology was becoming a weapon of mass destruction. Yet, Hupfeld’s lyrics insist that the "moonlight and love songs" are never out of date. It’s almost a defiant act of nostalgia.
The Legal Drama and the Hit Parade
Because of the war and a massive musicians' strike that started in 1942, Rudy Vallée’s old 1931 recording of the song actually became a massive hit all over again after the movie came out. People couldn't get enough of it. There was this weird period where the most popular song in America was a decade-old relic.
It’s also worth noting that the version in the movie leaves out the "prologue" or the introductory verse. Most people don't know the song actually starts with a bunch of talk about Einstein and the "fourth dimension." It’s very 1930s-intellectual-chic. The movie producers wisely cut that part out. Imagine Rick Blaine leaning over a drink while Sam sings about "the relativity of space-time." It would have killed the mood instantly.
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Beyond Casablanca: The Song's Second Life
Since the 40s, "As Time Goes By" has been covered by basically everyone who has ever held a microphone. Billie Holiday gave it a soulful, tragic weight. Frank Sinatra turned it into a lush, orchestral daydream. Even ZZ Top did a version.
But it’s the association with Warner Bros. that really cemented its status. If you watch any Warner Bros. movie today, you’ll hear a snippet of the melody during the studio logo intro. It has become the sonic signature of "Old Hollywood" prestige.
Why It Still Works in 2026
We live in a world of 15-second TikTok trends and AI-generated beats. Music moves faster than ever. So why does a 95-year-old song about "woman needing man" still resonate?
Maybe it’s because it feels honest. It’s not trying to be flashy. It’s a slow, steady heartbeat of a song. In a weird way, the more digital our lives become, the more we crave the "fundamental things." We still want the moonlight. We still want the love songs.
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Common Misconceptions
- "Play it again, Sam": Rick never actually says this line in the movie. It’s one of the most famous "Mandela Effect" misquotes in history. Ilsa says, "Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By' for old times' sake." Rick later says, "You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can! Play it!" But "Play it again, Sam" is a myth.
- The Composer: People often think George Gershwin or Cole Porter wrote it because it has that sophisticated Great American Songbook feel. Herman Hupfeld is often forgotten, despite writing one of the most lucrative songs in history.
- Sam’s Piano: The actual upright piano used in the film sold at auction for over 3 million dollars. Not bad for a prop that was originally just a piece of studio furniture.
How to Appreciate the Song Today
To really "get" this song, you have to listen to it in context. Don't just put it on a playlist of "Dinner Jazz." Watch the scene where Rick is sitting alone in the dark, drinking bourbon, and Sam tries to talk him out of hearing it.
The song represents Rick’s vulnerability. He’s spent the whole movie acting like a tough guy who "sticks his neck out for nobody," but the second those notes start, you see his armor crumble. That’s the power of a perfect melody. It bypasses the brain and goes straight for the throat.
If you’re a musician or a student of film, pay attention to how Steiner eventually integrated the melody into the rest of the movie's score. Even when Sam isn't playing, the theme "As Time Goes By" haunts the background of the orchestral music. It’s used as a leitmotif—a recurring musical phrase associated with a specific person or idea. In this case, it’s the ghost of Paris.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Lovers
If you want to explore the history of this track further, start with these specific versions:
- Dooley Wilson (Casablanca Soundtrack): The gold standard. Listen for the intimacy in his voice.
- Billie Holiday (1944): She adds a layer of weariness that makes the lyrics feel much more grounded in reality.
- The "Original" 1931 Rudy Vallée Version: It’s faster, peppier, and includes the "Einstein" verse. It sounds like a completely different song and helps you understand how much the movie changed its vibe.
- Watch the Documentary: Look for You Must Remember This, a documentary about the making of Casablanca, which delves into the music rights battles of the era.
The history of "As Time Goes By" proves that art doesn't have to be "new" to be relevant. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is find something old and give it a new heart.