This tune was used as the theme song for the Ernie Kovaks show during the 1950's. In fact, Jack Newlon 'borrowed' the first strain from Gershwin's only rag for his own composition the Oriental Blues which was the music used by Mr. Kovaks for his radio and television programs from 1951 - 1963.
 
In 1917 at the age of 19, Gershwin wrote Rialto Ripples with his colleague Will Donaldson while both were employed at the Jerome Remick Publishing House. Allegedly, the piece was written by Gershwin while riding the 5th Avenue bus. Rialto is a pseudonym for Broadway, and the Ripples refers to rain on his hotel window reflecting the lights of Broadway. Rialto Ripples was one of the first of many 'ripples' pieces that would appear in the 1920s and 1930s.