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
It Could Happen To You
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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Lock your dreams at night,
It could happen to you.
Don't count stars
Or you might stumble,
Someone drops a sigh
And down you tumble,
Run when church bells ring.
It could happen to you
All I did was wonder
How your arms would be
And it happened to me
The lyrics of Jackie Gleason's song "It Could Happen To You" describe the potential for unexpected love and the importance of being prepared for it. The opening lines tell the listener to "hide your heart from sight" and "lock your dreams at night," suggesting that the singer has been hurt before and is warning others to be cautious in matters of the heart. The chorus expands on the idea that love can strike unexpectedly, using metaphors such as counting stars leading to stumbling, and the sound of a sigh causing one to "tumble" emotionally. The final lines reveal that the singer has fallen in love despite their warnings, emphasizing the universality of the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
Hide your heart from sight,
Do not be too open about your emotions and feelings.
Lock your dreams at night,
Keep your aspirations to yourself and be careful who you share them with.
It could happen to you.
Any unexpected event or circumstance can happen to anyone, so be prepared and aware of the risks.
Don't count stars
Do not become too obsessed with ideal fantasies or romantic notions.
Or you might stumble,
Being too focused on unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and setbacks.
Someone drops a sigh
A seemingly small gesture or indication can have a significant impact on one's life.
And down you tumble,
A single event can cause a chain reaction and turn one's life upside down.
Keep an eye on spring,
Be vigilant and attentive to anything that represents new beginnings or changes.
Run when church bells ring.
Be proactive and ready to act when a major change is about to occur.
All I did was wonder
Merely having a casual thought or curiosity can unexpectedly lead to life-changing events.
How your arms would be
Daydreaming or imagining how things could be can lead to unexpected outcomes.
And it happened to me
Unexpected events can happen to anyone, regardless of their intentions or preparedness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES VAN HEUSEN, JOHNNY BURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind