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
My Ideal
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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The one who is my ideal?
Maybe he's a dream, and yet he might be
Just around the corner waiting for me
Will I recognize the light in his eyes
That no other eyes reveal?
Or will I pass him by
And never even know that he is my ideal?
Or maybe he's a dream, and yet he might be
Just around the corner waiting for me
Will I recognize the light in his eyes
That no other eyes reveal?
Although he may be late
I trust in fate, and so I wait for my ideal
I wait for my ideal
Jackie Gleason's My Ideal is a song that portrays the singer's longing for their perfect partner, their "ideal." The lyrics convey the uncertainty and anticipation that come with searching for someone who may or may not exist, and the fear of missing out on the opportunity to meet them. The opening line "Will I ever find the boy in my mind" sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer ponders whether their ideal partner is real or just a figment of their imagination.
The song also reflects the societal pressures placed upon individuals to find their perfect match, as well as the fear of settling for someone who isn't the right fit. The phrase "Just around the corner waiting for me" suggests that the perfect partner is within reach, but also highlights the fear of missing out on this opportunity. The chorus, "Will I recognize the light in his eyes, That no other eyes reveal?" emphasizes the uniqueness of the ideal partner and the importance of recognizing them when they appear. The final lines, "Although he may be late, I trust in fate, and so I wait for my ideal, I wait for my ideal," suggest a sense of resignation and faith that the right person will come along eventually.
Line by Line Meaning
Will I ever find the boy in my mind
Am I destined to meet the guy in my thoughts?
The one who is my ideal?
The person who truly fits all my expectations and aspirations.
Maybe he's a dream, and yet he might be
He could be just an illusion or a figment of my imagination, but maybe he actually exists.
Just around the corner waiting for me
Maybe he's nearby, waiting for the right opportunity to cross my path.
Will I recognize the light in his eyes
Will I be able to identify the uniqueness and beauty that lies within his eyes?
That no other eyes reveal?
Will I be able to see something special that only his eyes possess?
Or will I pass him by
Will I miss him completely?
And never even know that he is my ideal?
Will I remain ignorant of his value as my ideal mate?
Although he may be late
Even if he comes late and after a long wait,
I trust in fate, and so I wait for my ideal
I have faith in destiny, so I'll patiently wait for my ideal man to appear in my life.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leo Robin, Newell Chase, Richard Whiting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind