Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Italian immigrants, Sinatra began his musical career in the swing era with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra found success as a solo artist after he signed with Columbia Records in 1943, becoming the idol of the "bobby soxers". He released his debut album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, in 1946. Sinatra's professional career had stalled by the early 1950s, and he turned to Las Vegas, where he became one of its best known residency performers as part of The Rat Pack. His career was reborn in 1953 with the success of From Here to Eternity, with his performance subsequently winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra released several critically lauded albums, including In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956), Come Fly with Me (1958), Only the Lonely (1958) and Nice 'n' Easy (1960).
Sinatra left Capitol in 1960 to start his own record label, Reprise Records, and released a string of successful albums. In 1965, he recorded the retrospective September of My Years, starred in the Emmy-winning television special Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music, and released the tracks "Strangers in the Night" and "My Way". After releasing Sinatra at the Sands, recorded at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Vegas with frequent collaborator Count Basie in early 1966, the following year he recorded one of his most famous collaborations with Tom Jobim, the album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was followed by 1968's collaboration with Duke Ellington. Sinatra retired for the first time in 1971, but came out of retirement two years later and recorded several albums and resumed performing at Caesars Palace, and reached success in 1980 with "New York, New York". Using his Las Vegas shows as a home base, he toured both within the United States and internationally until a short time before his death in 1998.
Sinatra forged a highly successful career as a film actor. After winning an Academy Award for From Here to Eternity, he starred in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), and received critical acclaim for his performance in The Manchurian Candidate (1962). He appeared in various musicals such as On the Town (1949), Guys and Dolls (1955), High Society (1956), and Pal Joey (1957), winning another Golden Globe for the latter. Toward the end of his career, he became associated with playing detectives, including the title character in Tony Rome (1967). Sinatra would later receive the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1971. On television, The Frank Sinatra Show began on ABC in 1950, and he continued to make appearances on television throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Sinatra was also heavily involved with politics from the mid-1940s, and actively campaigned for presidents such as Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, though before Kennedy's death Sinatra's alleged Mafia connections led to his being snubbed.
While Sinatra never formally learned how to read music, he had an impressive understanding of it, and he worked very hard from a young age to improve his abilities in all aspects of music. A perfectionist, renowned for his dress sense and performing presence, he always insisted on recording live with his band. His bright blue eyes earned him the popular nickname "Ol' Blue Eyes". Sinatra led a colorful personal life, and was often involved in turbulent affairs with women, such as with his second wife Ava Gardner. He went on to marry Mia Farrow in 1966 and Barbara Marx in 1976. Sinatra had several violent confrontations, usually with journalists he felt had crossed him, or work bosses with whom he had disagreements. He was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1983, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1985, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997. Sinatra was also the recipient of eleven Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Trustees Award, Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. After his death, American music critic Robert Christgau called him "the greatest singer of the 20th century", and he continues to be seen as an iconic figure.
Sinatra died with his wife at his side at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on May 14, 1998, aged 82, after a heart attack. Sinatra had ill health during the last few years of his life, and was frequently hospitalized for heart and breathing problems, high blood pressure, pneumonia and bladder cancer. He was further diagnosed as having dementia. He had made no public appearances following a heart attack in February 1997. Sinatra's wife encouraged him to "fight" while attempts were made to stabilize him, and his final words were, "I'm losing." Sinatra's daughter, Tina, later wrote that she and her sister, Nancy, had not been notified of their father's final hospitalization, and it was her belief that "the omission was deliberate. Barbara would be the grieving widow alone at her husband's side." The night after Sinatra's death, the lights on the Empire State Building in New York City were turned blue, the lights at the Las Vegas Strip were dimmed in his honor, and the casinos stopped spinning for a minute.
Sinatra's funeral was held at the Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, California, on May 20, 1998, with 400 mourners in attendance and thousands of fans outside. Gregory Peck, Tony Bennett, and Sinatra's son, Frank Jr., addressed the mourners, who included many notable people from film and entertainment. Sinatra was buried in a blue business suit with mementos from family members—cherry-flavored Life Savers, Tootsie Rolls, a bottle of Jack Daniel's, a pack of Camel cigarettes, a Zippo lighter, stuffed toys, a dog biscuit, and a roll of dimes that he always carried—next to his parents in section B-8 of Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.
His close friends Jilly Rizzo and Jimmy Van Heusen are buried nearby. The words "The Best Is Yet to Come", plus "Beloved Husband & Father" are imprinted on Sinatra's grave marker. Significant increases in recording sales worldwide were reported by Billboard in the month of his death.
Standing on the Corner
Frank Sinatra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Matter of fact, neither do I
Than standing on a corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
I'm the cat that got the cream
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
So I'll take me down to Main street
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Standing on a corner giving all the girls the eye
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try standing on a corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Brother you can't go to jail for what you're thinking
Or for that woo look in your eye
Standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
"Standing on the Corner" by Frank Sinatra paints a vivid picture of a man who finds joy in simply observing the women passing by as he stands on a street corner. The repetition of the first two lines emphasizes the act of watching, suggesting that the man is fully engrossed in this seemingly mundane activity. The lyrics playfully highlight the innocence and pleasure derived from such a simple pastime, indicating that both the singer and the listener may not be able to think of a nicer way to spend their time.
The mention of not having a girl but being able to dream and wish indicates a sense of yearning and romantic longing. The imagery of selecting an "imaginary dish" on Main street further illustrates the idea of fantasy and desire. The singer's amusement and satisfaction in creating these imaginary scenarios show a whimsical and imaginative side to his character, suggesting that his daydreams provide him with a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment.
The lyrics continue to emphasize the act of watching and appreciating the beauty of the passing girls. There is a sense of playfulness in the singer's demeanor as he gives the girls the eye, showcasing a light-hearted and carefree attitude towards his observations. The encouragement to others to embrace their rich imagination and try standing on a corner watching the girls suggests a shared enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life.
In the final verse, the lyrics touch upon the idea of thought and desire being separate from action and consequence. The mention of not being able to go to jail for one's thoughts or the look in one's eye alludes to the harmless nature of fantasizing and daydreaming. The singer seems to revel in the freedom of his thoughts and observations, finding joy in the act of watching the girls pass by without any negative repercussions. Overall, "Standing on the Corner" conveys a sense of whimsy, innocence, and appreciation for the beauty found in everyday moments of observation.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by
Enjoying the simple pleasure of observing the women passing by
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Acknowledging the joy that comes from people-watching
Matter of fact, neither do I
Expressing contentment in this activity
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Emphasizing the fascination with observing the women
I'm the cat that got the cream
Feeling satisfied and fortunate
Haven't got a girl but I can dream
Imagining romantic scenarios despite being single
So I'll take me down to Main street
Choosing to wander and daydream
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
Fantasizing about potential partners
Standing on a corner giving all the girls the eye
Admiring the beauty of the women passing by
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
Encouraging creative and imaginative thoughts
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Suggesting others to indulge in daydreaming too
Brother you can't go to jail for what you're thinking
Highlighting the innocence of harmless thoughts
Or for that woo look in your eye
Acknowledging the charm in one's gaze
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@courtneyhenry4841
THIS IS KOOLEST SINGER THAT EVER WALK THIS EARTH, I LOVE THE WAY HE SING,
@Mr.Rocklight
Your a great singer..a great actor..you have the Best sense of humor..a great person..thanks for being there
@ULMDeskEnd
Dean did the best version of the song like every song he sang.
@davidwesley2525
Bobby Darin & the Four Lads had a great version.
@emg8810
Great vocalist. But the best version of every song? A bit of an exaggeration. Ain't that a Kick!
@paulmotley793
The Four Lads for me.
@deborahmagana5039
I'm over 60, I've heard this song many times by many different people. Dean is still my favorite, to this very day.
@sutownsend-kasmiskie3091
I love this! I remember it from when I was a kid.
@susannkunze5696
Oh, diesen Song von Dean Martin könnte ich mir 24 Stunden am Tag :-) anhören.
@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854
My ALL time Dean Martin FAVORITE song...🍺😎👍