Kelly was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style, his good looks and the likeable characters that he played on screen.
Although he is known today for his performances in An American in Paris (1951) and Singin' in the Rain (1952), he was a dominant force in Hollywood musical films from the mid-1940s until this art form fell out of fashion in the late 1950s. His many innovations transformed the Hollywood musical film, and he is credited with almost single-handedly making the ballet form commercially acceptable to film audiences.
Kelly was the recipient of an Academy Honorary Award in 1952 for his career achievements. He later received lifetime achievement awards in the Kennedy Center Honors (1982), and from the Screen Actors Guild and American Film Institute; in 1999, the American Film Institute also numbered him 15th in their Greatest Male Stars of All Time list.
Better known as a dancer and movie star than a singer, Gene Kelly nevertheless turned in memorable vocal performances in the context of his movies, the MGM musicals of the 1940s and 1950s.
Kelly rose to fame on Broadway before making his Hollywood debut with "For Me and My Gal" in 1942. Kelly's light, high vocals are distinctive, and he acted even as he sang, sometimes letting his voice crack at a pivotal moment (as in his vocal for the title number in "Singin' in the Rain"). In addition to reinterpreting classics by the likes of George Gershwin, Kelly introduced a few standards, including "Be a Clown" from the film "The Pirate" and "Long Ago and Far Away" from "Cover Girl." He also performed duets with such luminaries as Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra.
Broadway Ballet
Gene Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, you got a clown on Broadway
Your troubles there, they're out of style
'Cause Broadway always wears a smile.
A million lights, they flicker there
A million hearts beat quicker there
No skies are gray on that great white way,
That's the Broadway Melody!
Gotta dance!
Gotta dance!
Broadway rhythm's got me, ev'rybody dance.
Broadway rhythm's got me, ev'rybody dance.
Out on the gay white way and each merry café
Orchestras play taking our breath away,
Broadway rhythm's got me, ev'rybody sing and dance.
Oh, that Broadway rhythm...
Oh, that Broadway rhythm.
When I hear that happy beat
I feel like dancin' down the street
In that Broadway rhythm writhing, beating rhythm...
Gotta dance!
Gotta dance!
That's the Broadway Melody!
The lyrics of Gene Kelly's song Broadway Ballet are an ode to Broadway, the heart of the American theater industry. The songwriter encourages the listener to leave their troubles behind and join the joyful atmosphere of the bright-lit streets, where every heart beats to the rhythm of the metropolitan city. The "great white way" alludes to the lighting on Broadway, the first street to have electric lights. There is no gloominess in the city, as everyone embraces life in a carefree manner, and even if there are troubles, Broadway always wears a smile.
The melody shares the universal message of dance, uniting people's hearts to the upbeat music that follows them everywhere they go. With little bit of tap and jazz, the Broadway rhythm captures the attention of all the listeners, and the orchestras in every café create enchanting tunes that take the breaths away. The song, Broadway Ballet, is uplifting and vibrant, owning the feeling of freedom and joy that comes with the dawn of every day lest the listener forget. Gene Kelly, with explicit reference to dance and rhythm, is highlighting the importance of expression and its central role in Broadway.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't bring a frown to old Broadway
Don't bring your sadness and worries to the lively and vibrant atmosphere of Broadway.
Ah, you got a clown on Broadway
The entertainment on Broadway includes clownish antics and humor to keep the audience engaged.
Your troubles there, they're out of style
Broadway is a place to forget about your problems and just enjoy the moment, as worrying is not in vogue.
'Cause Broadway always wears a smile.
The lively atmosphere of Broadway is contagious and it always brings a smile to everyone's face.
A million lights, they flicker there
The bright lights of Broadway create a mesmerizing environment, with millions of bulbs flickering in different colors.
A million hearts beat quicker there
The excitement on Broadway causes a million hearts to beat faster in anticipation of the entertainment that is about to follow.
No skies are gray on that great white way,
The positivity and joy of Broadway masks any grayness in the sky, making it always sunny.
That's the Broadway Melody!
The vibrant energy that Broadway exudes can be captured in the melody played there.
Gotta dance!
There is an innate urge to dance when surrounded by the excitement and rhythm of Broadway's atmosphere.
Broadway rhythm's got me, ev'rybody dance.
The rhythm of Broadway's music is so infectious that everyone feels compelled to dance along.
Out on the gay white way and each merry café
The joyful and lively atmosphere can be experienced everywhere on Broadway, from the street to the cafes.
Orchestras play taking our breath away,
The music on Broadway is so beautiful that it leaves the audience breathless and in awe of the performers.
Oh, that Broadway rhythm...
The rhythm of Broadway's music is so intoxicating and addictive that it keeps drawing people back for more.
When I hear that happy beat
The upbeat and cheerful rhythm of the music on Broadway evokes happiness and joy in everyone who hears it.
I feel like dancin' down the street
The excitement and energy of the music makes you feel like dancing and celebrating in the streets of Broadway.
In that Broadway rhythm writhing, beating rhythm...
The rhythm of Broadway's music is so infectious and powerful that it makes you want to move and dance with it all night long.
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kerensabirch5214
Apparently, 19 year-old Debbie Reynolds was a very inexperienced dancer and Kelly was quite horrible to her about it, even reducing her to tears. It took Fred Astaire, who was visiting the set, to offer to give her some extra help on the side. Astaire was a true gentleman.
Debbie Reynolds herself said of Kelly later: "He criticised everything I did and never gave me a word of encouragement," she wrote. Despite his apparent disdain, the leading man had nonetheless taken a shine to young co-star. When the time came to film their first kiss, Kelly took things too far. Reynolds wrote:
'The camera closed in. Gene took me tightly in his arms . . . and shoved his tongue down my throat.
“Eeew! What was that?” I screeched, breaking free of his grasp and spitting. I ran around frantic, yelling for some Coca-Cola to cleanse my mouth. It was the early 1950s, and I was an innocent kid who had never been French-kissed. It felt like an assault.
I was stunned that this thirty-nine-year-old man would do this to me.'
Reynolds in Sydney, Australia, 2006
@2201Duluth
The timing in this piece is incredible. Flawless movement by both, especially wonderful Cyd Charisse who looks and dances with perfect flow .
@roxannemiller6961
So beautiful.
@skyfire8950
The ultimate love letter to Old Hollywood and always my favorite musical. Every single scene just oozes happiness.
@clb6675
Is nobody gonna mention the fact that the full scene contained an imaginary dance scene, within an imaginary dance scene, within a movie?!
@lizrllns1641
Within another movie!
@AnimationNation2004
Honestly I feel like this entire scene could be cut and the film still work but this scene is still phenomenal. I feel a similar way to the Pink Elephants sequence from Dumbo.
@silky0439
This is classic 1940-1965 movie musical.
@manuelorozco7760
@@AnimationNation2004I’m so glad I’m not alone on that aspect
@Mxyzptlksac
@@AnimationNation2004 yes, but it shows off Genes dancing skills and it's when Don stops being polite and starts being real.
@nicolaamaregyptiandance3758
One of the very best duets ever choreographed for film. Love Gene and Cyd.