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
Rain
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To protect her from the rain and cultivate romance
It's an opportunity, something to enjoy
Helter, skelter fly for shelter I'm a lucky boy
Rain, let us cuddle while the rain pitter-patters
On the pane and we're alone
A chance to while away a dreamy afternoon
No one can see us
Rain It's so cozy in the rain
There's no reason to complain she'll wait for you
To hold her hand and then it's ten to one
You kiss her in the rain, rain, rain
Rain, let us cuddle while the rain pitter-patters
On the pane and we're alone
A chance to while away a dreamy afternoon
A lovely peaceful afternoon
No one can see us
Rain It's so cozy in the rain
There's no reason to complain she'll wait for you
To hold her hand and then it's ten to one
You kiss her in the rain, rain, rain
The song "Rain" by Jackie Gleason is a romantic ballad that celebrates the intimate and cozy moments shared between two people during a rainstorm. The lyrics suggest that the rain provides the perfect opportunity for a couple to cuddle and cultivate their romance in privacy, away from the prying eyes of others. As the rain pitter-patters on the windowpane, the lovers are lost in their dreamy afternoon, lost in their own little world.
The sense of anticipation is palpable in the lyrics, with the singer describing himself as a "lucky boy" for having the chance to be with his beloved during the rain. The lyrics also suggest that the rain is a great equalizer, as it brings people closer together regardless of their social status or background. The imagery of the rain pouring down over the city adds to the romantic atmosphere, as the couple is left with nothing but each other and the sound of the rain as it falls around them.
Line by Line Meaning
April showers, overhead offer me a chance
The rain is an opportunity to protect and impress a special someone.
To protect her from the rain and cultivate romance
The rain offers a chance to show a romantic interest in someone and take care of them.
It's an opportunity, something to enjoy
The rain provides a unique opportunity to spend time with someone special and create happy memories.
Helter, skelter fly for shelter I'm a lucky boy
The singer feels lucky to have the chance to share a romantic moment during the rain and seeks shelter to make the most of it.
Rain, let us cuddle while the rain pitter-patters
The singer suggests enjoying the cozy feeling of cuddling up with someone while listening to the sound of the rain outside.
On the pane and we're alone
The rain provides a sense of privacy and intimacy for the couple as they enjoy each other's company.
A chance to while away a dreamy afternoon
The singer views the rain as an opportunity to spend a lazy, romantic afternoon with someone special.
A lovely peaceful afternoon
The singer cherishes the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the rainy afternoon spent with someone special.
No one can see us
The couple feels free to express their love for each other without worrying about being seen or judged by others.
It's so cozy in the rain
The rainy atmosphere creates a cozy, intimate feeling that adds to the romantic mood of the moment.
There's no reason to complain she'll wait for you
The singer feels confident that the person they're with will appreciate the romantic gesture and enjoy the moment as much as they do.
To hold her hand and then it's ten to one
The singer anticipates the moment when they can hold hands with their special someone and knows that it will lead to a kiss in the rain.
You kiss her in the rain, rain, rain
The ultimate expression of love and romance is to share a kiss in the rain, and the singer is eagerly anticipating that moment with someone special.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRIAN ALEXANDER MORGAN, JACO PASTORIUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SC Herrera
The coronet on the left was my father in this movie. He was stationed at Fort Ord where I was born.
Eugene Street
Please ask your dad if this was on 6th St. Also what building is this he is standing by.
MindHunger
I thank your father for his service.
TM Rezzek
Love this sequence, especially when Gleason's Sgt. Slaughter barks "Retreat, soldier!" And that dolly in to a close-up of Gleason is a nice touch that shows how Slaughter deeply feels that the Army is his home.
Casey Klahn
I note his salute is text book perfect.
Samuel Smith
@Casey Klahn no, not hardly. His thumb wasn’t held tightly against his forefinger. But IS a good scene! Been a long time since soldiers, and civilians, stopped and waited for Retreat in order to render courtesies. Now, Americans beating a policeman with the national colors. Disgusting!
Samuel Smith
They were called “Castro hats”. Soldiers would soak them in starch, then “form” them over a tin can. Had to rummage in the Mess Hall trash to find the right size can. But I really missed the “starchy” fatigues. I “broke starch” every morning….and then in the evening if on Guard Duty. When they came back from Quartermaster laundry, they were so stiff they looked like a plywood cutout. Had to run your hand through each leg in order to get your leg inside. We left a small “fin” of the trouser crease to show it was fresh starch. But the wash and wear fatigues made good sense. Then, when the ACI [Army Camouflage Uniform] replaced the fatigues, we weren’t allowed to starch or even iron them [supposedly ruined an anti-IR light coating].
Solomon Kane
Amen... as it was mine for 28 years. Now I must find this movie...
tj schoenlein
It’s a pround moment to see Jackie snap that salute at retreat 👍
CBM 215
I remember seeing this movie some years later after it was made in 1963, but this movie came the closest to being the Army that I was in from the uniforms, the scenes etc. Of course the plot was silly and it was a comedy, but I felt at home when watching the movie. I was in the Army from 1962-1965, and underwent 16 weeks of training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. and spent part of 1962, the whole year of 1963, and part of 1964 in Turkey. I spend my last year at Ft Campbell, Kentucky. I remember the flat hats because they were changed out for the ball cap in mid 1963. No one liked the ball caps because you could not shape them like you could the flat hats.