Harry Connick, Jr. was born in New Orleans to Anita and Harry Connick, Sr. His mother was Jewish and his father was Irish Catholic. Connick's musical talent was evident from a young age and he studied at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts under Ellis Marsalis and James Booker. He went on to attend Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he was signed by Columbia Records.
In 1989, Connick provided the soundtrack for the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally..., winning his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance. He also made his screen debut in Memphis Belle and released two albums: Lofty's Roach Souffle and We Are in Love, which earned him his second consecutive Grammy. In 1991, he was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his contribution to the Godfather III soundtrack and released his third consecutive multi-platinum album, Blue Light, Red Light.
In 1992, Connick was arrested for having a gun at JFK International Airport but avoided charges by making a public-service television commercial. He continued to release successful albums, including 25 and When My Heart Finds Christmas, which was the best-selling Christmas album of 1993.
Harry Connick Jr. started his career as a jazz pianist and singer. In 1994, he released an album of New Orleans funk called She and took it on a tour of the United Kingdom and People's Republic of China. In 1996, he appeared in the successful movie Independence Day. By 1997, he returned to jazz music with his album To See You and played at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. He continued his film career, starred in Hope Floats and released his album Come By Me in 1999. Connick wrote the score for the Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not, in 2000, and starred in South Pacific and his twelfth movie Mickey. He won a Grammy Award for his album Songs I Heard, released two albums in 2001, and appeared on NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 2002 to 2006. He continued releasing albums, appeared in films such as Basic, and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for Harry Connick Jr. — "Only You" in Concert. In 2005, he composed and produced The Happy Elf, an animated holiday special.
[edit] Personal life
On April 16, 1994, Connick, Jr. married model Jill Goodacre, originally from Texas, at the St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana. They have three daughters: Georgia Tatom (born April 17, 1996), Sarah Kate (September 12, 1997), and Charlotte (born June 26, 2002). The family currently resides in Connecticut.
He is a founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, a music-based New Orleans krewe, taking its name from Orpheus of classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus parades on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street in New Orleans on Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) — the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).
A Wink and a Smile
Harry Connick Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of hanging around in sleepy towns, forever
Back roads empty for miles
Well you can't have a dream and cut it to fit
But when I saw you I knew, we'd go together
Like a wink and a smile
Buy the railroad track
We'll get a hip, double dip, tip toppy
Two seat Pontiac
So you can rev her up, don't go slow
It's only green lights and alright
Let's go together with a wink and a smile
Give me a wink and a smile
We go together like a wink and a smile
Now my heart is music, such a simple song
Sing it again the notes never end
This is where I belong
Just the sound of your voice
The light in your eyes
We're so far away from yesterday
Together, with a wink and a smile
We go together like a wink and a smile
In Harry Connick Jr.'s song A Wink and a Smile, the lyrics are a nostalgic reminder of simpler times. The opening lines remember days of just keeping time, of hanging around in sleepy towns, forever, with back roads empty for miles. The second verse, however, is more about the present and the future. It talks about how you can't have a dream and cut it to fit, meaning that you can't compromise on what you truly want. However, when the singer saw the person they're addressing, they knew that they would be together like a wink and a smile.
The next verse is all about leaving the old behind and looking towards the future with someone they love. They suggest buying a two-seat Pontiac and driving it fast with green lights all around, ready to go anywhere together. Finally, the chorus is repeated twice more, emphasizing that they go together like a wink and a smile, and that where they belong is with each other.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the days, of just keeping time
I remember the days where I would just go through the motions, without any purpose or direction
Of hanging around in sleepy towns, forever
Spending endless amounts of time in small, uneventful towns
Back roads empty for miles
Driving on empty, desolate roads with no end in sight
Well you can't have a dream and cut it to fit
You can't limit or mold your dreams to fit into a certain mold or box
But when I saw you I knew, we'd go together
Upon meeting you, I had a feeling that we would have a meaningful connection
Like a wink and a smile
Our connection is effortless and brings a sense of joy and ease
Leave your old jalopy
Get rid of your old, outdated car
Buy the railroad track
Take control and make big changes in your life
We'll get a hip, double dip, tip toppy
We'll splurge on a fun, new car
Two seat Pontiac
Specifically, a sporty two-seater car made by the Pontiac brand
So you can rev her up, don't go slow
Drive fast and with enthusiasm
It's only green lights and alright
There's nothing to worry about, everything is going well
Let's go together with a wink and a smile
Let's enjoy the ride and continue to have fun together
Give me a wink and a smile
Show me your radiant smile and carefree attitude
We go together like a wink and a smile
We have a harmonious connection that is easy and effortless
Now my heart is music, such a simple song
My heart is filled with joy and contentment, and life seems simple and easy
Sing it again the notes never end
I feel a sense of never-ending happiness and love
This is where I belong
I know that being with you is where I am meant to be
Just the sound of your voice
Even the sound of your voice brings me happiness
The light in your eyes
Your eyes shine bright and bring a sense of joy and comfort
We're so far away from yesterday
Our current state of happiness is far removed from any previous struggles or heartaches
Together, with a wink and a smile
We continue to be happy and live life to the fullest, together
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARC SHAIMAN, RAMSEY MCLEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind