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 Kind of Town
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And only happen in a town like this.
So may I say to each of you most gratefully
As I throw each one of you a kiss
This is my kind of town.
Chicago is,
My kind of town,Chicago is,
People who smile at you,
And each time I roam, Chicago is,
Callin' me home, Chicago is,
One town that won't let you down;
It's my kind of town.
My kind of town.
Chicago is my kind of town.
Chicago is my kind of razzmatazz
And it has all that jazz,
And each time I leave, Chicago is,
Tuggin' my sleeve, Chicago is,
The Wrigley Building,Chicago is,
The Union Stockyards, Chicago is,
One town that won't let you down;
It's my kind of town.
The lyrics of Jackie Gleason's song My Kind of Town are a tribute to the city of Chicago. Gleason is expressing his love and admiration for the city and its people. He is saying that only in a town like Chicago could something great and unique happen to a guy like him. He thanks the people of Chicago for their kindness and hospitality.
Gleason then goes on to describe why Chicago is his kind of town. He mentions that the people are friendly and always have a smile on their faces. He also talks about how the city is always calling him home when he roams, and how he can't resist coming back to it. He talks about the razzle-dazzle and energy of Chicago, and the fact that it has all that jazz. He even mentions some iconic landmarks like the Wrigley Building and the Union Stockyards.
The song is not only a homage to Chicago but also a testament to the spirit of the city. The lyrics not only capture the excitement and vibrancy of the city but also the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Line by Line Meaning
Now this could only happen to a guy like me
Only someone who is lucky and in the right place at the right time could experience what I am experiencing
And only happen in a town like this.
This is such a unique and wonderful city, nothing like this could happen anywhere else
So may I say to each of you most gratefully
I want to express my thanks to all of you for being here with me
As I throw each one of you a kiss
I show my appreciation by tossing a symbolic kiss to each and every one of you.
This is my kind of town.
This city is exactly where I belong
Chicago is, My kind of town,Chicago is,
Chicago is the place where I feel most at home, it perfectly embodies my ideal city
My kind of people, too; People who smile at you,
The people here are friendly and welcoming, always ready with a smile
And each time I roam, Chicago is, Callin' me home, Chicago is,
No matter where I go or what I do, I always feel pulled back to this city, it truly is my home
One town that won't let you down; It's my kind of town.
Chicago is a reliable and fulfilling city that will always meet my expectations and never disappoint me.
Chicago is my kind of town.
Chicago is the only place for me
Chicago is my kind of razzmatazz And it has all that jazz,
Chicago has a vibrant and exciting atmosphere which includes its famous jazz scene
And each time I leave, Chicago is, Tuggin' my sleeve, Chicago is,
Even when I am physically not in Chicago, it always stays with me and continues to be a part of my life
The Wrigley Building,Chicago is, The Union Stockyards, Chicago is,
Chicago has a rich history and iconic landmarks that truly make it stand out from any other city
One town that won't let you down; It's my kind of town.
Chicago is a city that will always be there for me and exceed my expectations every time
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: JIMMY VAN HEUSEN, SAMMY CAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind