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 Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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I like a pretty girl-ie, with each pretty tune that's played.
They go together, like sunny weather goes with the month of May.
I've studied girls and music, so I'm qualified to say
A pretty girl is like a melody that haunts you night and day,
Just like the strain of a haunting refrain,
She'll start up on a marathon and run a-round your brain.
She will leave you and then come back a-gain,
A pretty girl is just like a pretty tune.
The lyrics of A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody describe how music and beautiful women can have a similar impact on a man. The singer confesses that he has an ear for music and an eye for a maid (a young, unmarried woman), and he enjoys a pretty girl together with a melodic tune. He compares the combination of the two to the perfect match of sunny weather and the month of May.
The singer states that he has researched girls and music and is qualified to contend that a beautiful girl is like a sweet melody that stays with you all day and night. He compares the lovely woman to a haunting tune that gets stuck in your head and becomes a part of your memory. In contrast to the way a tune lingers in your mind after you've heard it, the singer believes that after leaving you, a pretty girl will return like a repeating melody.
Line by Line Meaning
I have an ear for music, and I have an eye for a maid.
I have a keen sense of music and an appreciation for attractive women.
I like a pretty girl-ie, with each pretty tune that's played.
I am drawn to beautiful women as much as I am drawn to beautiful music.
They go together, like sunny weather goes with the month of May.
The combination of a lovely lady and a lovely melody is as natural as sunshine in May.
I've studied girls and music, so I'm qualified to say
I am an expert on women and music and feel confident in expressing my opinions.
A pretty girl is like a melody that haunts you night and day,
An attractive woman is like a catchy tune that you can't get out of your head.
Just like the strain of a haunting refrain,
Similar to a melody that repeats in your mind endlessly,
She'll start up on a marathon and run a-round your brain.
She will become a constant thought in your mind that you can't shake off.
You can't escape she's in your memory. by morning night and noon.
She will be on your mind all day long, no matter what you do.
She will leave you and then come back a-gain,
She may temporarily leave your mind, but will always return.
A pretty girl is just like a pretty tune.
In the end, both an attractive woman and a beautiful melody are captivating and memorable.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind