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
Ruby
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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Not always what you seem
And though my heart may break when I awake
Let it be so
I only know, Ruby, it's you
They say, Ruby you're like a song
You don't know right from wrong
But from the start, who stole my heart?
Ruby, it's you
I hear your voice and I must come to you
I have no choice what else can I do?
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
Into my life you came
And though I should beware
Still I don't care you thrill me so
The song "Ruby" by Jackie Gleason is a heartfelt tribute to a woman named Ruby, and it is a testament to the power of love to move people to great heights. The song opens with a line that speaks of how Ruby is like a dream, not always what she seems. The lyrics suggest that there is something about Ruby that is mysterious and alluring, and the singer is not entirely sure what he sees when he looks at her. However, even though he knows that his heart may break when he wakes up, he cannot help but feel drawn to Ruby.
The second verse of the song speaks of Ruby as being like a song that he cannot resist, and although she may not know how to do what is right, he sees her heart aching for him. He describes how, from the start of their relationship, Ruby stole his heart, and he cannot help but hear her voice calling to him. In the final verse of the song, he declares that Ruby is like a flame that has come into his life, and even though he should be wary of the power she holds over him, he cannot help but be thrilled by her. Overall, the song conveys a sense of love and longing, and it speaks to the power that one person can have over another when the right emotions are involved.
Line by Line Meaning
They say, Ruby you're like a dream
People say you're like a beautiful vision that is sometimes hard to believe is true
Not always what you seem
You may appear one way, but there may be more to you than meets the eye
And though my heart may break when I awake
Even though I may realize the dream of being with you is not possible, it still hurts
Let it be so
Accepting the situation for what it is without trying to change it
I only know, Ruby, it's you
You are the one I desire, despite the difficulties
They say, Ruby you're like a song
People say you are like a melody that is both beautiful and unpredictable
You don't know right from wrong
Your actions may not always be morally correct
And in your eyes I see heart aches for me
I can sense that you are emotionally invested in me
But from the start, who stole my heart?
You captured my heart from the very beginning
Ruby, it's you
You are the one who has taken hold of my heart and thoughts
I hear your voice and I must come to you
Your voice has a power over me that compels me to seek you out
I have no choice what else can I do?
I cannot resist the pull you have on me and must take action to be near you
They say, Ruby you're like a flame
People compare you to a burning fire, intense and passionate
Into my life you came
You entered my life and made a significant impact
And though I should beware
Despite the potential risks, I am still drawn to you
Still I don't care you thrill me so
The excitement and pleasure you bring to my life make any potential danger or hardship worth it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HEINZ ROEMHELD, MITCHELL PARISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind