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
Once in a While
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One little thought to me
Though someone else may be
Nearer your heart?
Once in a while will you dream
Of the moments I shared with you
Moments before we two
In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
That spark may burn again
I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while
In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
The spark may burn again
I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while
In this song, Jackie Gleason asks his former lover to spend just a moment thinking of him, even though someone else may be closer to her heart. He also asks her to remember the moments that they shared before breaking up. He compares their love to a smoldering ember, suggesting that there may still be a spark left that could reignite their relationship. Despite the possibility of a new beginning, the singer realizes that he will have to be happy with only the memories of their past.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in a while will you try to give
Can you spare a moment to think of me?
One little thought to me
It only takes one small thought to show you care.
Though someone else may be
Even though you may have someone else in your heart.
Nearer your heart?
Are you able to keep me close to your heart too?
Once in a while will you dream
Do you ever think about the moments we shared?
Of the moments I shared with you
Remembering the times we were together.
Moments before we two
Recalling the moments before we went our separate ways.
Drifted apart?
Wondering why fate made us end up apart.
In love's smoldering ember
Even though our love may have faded.
One spark may remain
There's always a chance for love to come alive again.
If love still can remember
As long as love still exists in our hearts.
That spark may burn again
The flame of love can reignite.
I know that I'll be contented
I'll be happy with just the memory of our love.
With yesterday's memory
Remembering the good times we had in the past.
Knowing you think of me
Just knowing you still keep me in your thoughts.
Once in a while
Even if it's just every once in a while.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BUD GREEN, MICHAEL EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind