Gleason could not read or write music in a conventional sense; he was said to have conceived melodies in his head and described them vocally to staff help. He did likewise with the well-remembered themes of both The Jackie Gleason Show ("Melancholy Serenade") and The Honeymooners ("You're My Greatest Love"). There has been some controversy over the years as to how much credit Gleason should have received for the finished products; it has been written that beyond the possible conceptualizing of many of the songs, Gleason had no direct involvement such as conducting in the making of these recordings. However, his main musical companion, cornetist and trumpeter Bobby Hackett once said: "Jackie knows a lot more about music than people give him credit for. I have seen him conduct a sixty-piece orchestra and detect one discordant note in the brass section. He would immediately stop the music and locate the wrong note. It always amazed the professional musicians how a guy who technically did not know one note from another could do that. And he was never wrong."
Born February 26, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He died on June 24, 1987
A Ghost of a Chance
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!
I thought at last I'd found you, but other lovers surround you
And "I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!"
If you'd surrender just for a tender kiss or two
You might discover, that I'm the lover meant for you
And I'd be true, but what's the good of scheming
I know I must be dreaming
The lyrics of "Ghost of a Chance" by Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra express unrequited love. The singer wants the love of someone who does not reciprocate their feelings. They state that they need the person's love badly and love them deeply, but they believe that they do not stand a chance with them. The singer confesses that they thought they had a chance with the person they love, but other people surround them. The phrase "I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you" emphasizes the singer's belief that their chances with the person they love are almost nonexistent.
The singer daydreams a little in the second verse, fantasizing about the possibility of the person they love surrendering and giving them a chance. The singer believes that if only they could share a few tender kisses, the person would discover that they are the perfect match for them. However, the singer acknowledges that their hopes may be nothing more than a dream. The lyrics express a sense of longing and sadness, creating a melancholic atmosphere that emphasizes the character's emotional depth.
Line by Line Meaning
I need your love so badly, I love you, oh, so madly
I intensely crave your love as I am deeply in love with you.
But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!
I have no prospect of being with you, no chance whatsoever.
I thought at last I'd found you, but other lovers surround you
I believed that I had finally found you, but there are other individuals interested in you.
And "I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!"
Also, I don't have any chance of eventually being with you.
If you'd surrender just for a tender kiss or two
If you would surrender to me for even just a couple of tender kisses,
You might discover, that I'm the lover meant for you
You may realize that I'm the perfect lover for you.
And I'd be true, but what's the good of scheming
I would be faithful to you, but what's the point of making plans when there's no chance?
I know I must be dreaming
I realize that what I hope for is unlikely and simply a dream.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Bing Crosby, Ned Washington, Victor Popular Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind