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
She's Funny That Way
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
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Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
Draped around my kitchen sink , Happy as can be
I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.
I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
I got a woman crazy for me
I can't save a dollar, ain't worth a cent
She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.
Tho' she loves to work and slave for me ev'ry day
She'd be so much better off if I went away.
But why should I leave her, why should I go
She'd be unhappy without me I know
I got a woman crazy for me
She's funny that way.
She should have the very best, Anyone can see
Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do
Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.
Never had nothin'; no one to care
That's why I seem to have more than my share,
I got a woman, crazy for me,
She's funny that way.
When I hurt her feelings, once in a while,
Her only answer is one little smile,
I got a woman crazy for me.
She's funny that way.
I can see no other way and no better plan,
End it all and let her go to some better man;
But I'm only human, coward at best
I'm more than certain she'd follow me west,
I got a woman crazy for me,
She's funny that way.
The song "She's Funny That Way" by Jackie Gleason describes the singer's shock and confusion over how he managed to win over a woman who once lived a life of luxury and now seems content to be with him, despite his lack of material possessions. He reminisces about how the woman used to wear fancy clothes and ride in a Rolls Royce, and now she is just as happy being with him and doing mundane tasks like washing dishes. He acknowledges that he is not much to look at and doesn't have much to offer, but she is crazy for him nonetheless. Despite his doubts and fears about their relationship, he cannot imagine leaving her because he knows she would be unhappy without him.
The song highlights the idea that love is not always based on material possessions or societal status. It also suggests that sometimes love can be found in unexpected places and that love can bring unexpected happiness to people. The singer is both grateful and amazed that someone like her would choose to be with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Once she dressed in silks and lace, Owned a Rolls Royce car
She used to live a luxurious life and owned an expensive car.
Now she seems quite out of place, like a fallen star
Her current lifestyle doesn't seem to match her past luxurious one, as if her star had fallen.
Draped around my kitchen sink, Happy as can be
She is content with life's simple pleasures and finds happiness in being by his side, even while doing chores.
I just have to stop and think, Why she fell for me.
He's amazed that someone as amazing as her, fell in love with someone like him.
I'm not much to look at, nothing to see
He thinks he is not an attractive man.
Just glad I'm livin' and lucky to be
He feels lucky to be alive.
I got a woman crazy for me, She's funny that way.
Despite his believes on his own appearance, he is grateful to have a woman who's in love with him.
I can't save a dollar, ain't worth a cent
He isn't good at saving money.
She doesn't holler she'd live in a tent
She doesn't complain and would be willing to live in a small place if necessary.
Tho she love to work and slave for me ev'ry day, She'd be so much better off if I went away.
Although she works hard every day to keep their home together, he thinks she'd be better off if he left.
But why should I leave her, why should I go, She'd be unhappy without me, I know
He knows she would be unhappy without him although she never complains about her situation.
She should have the very best, Anyone can see, Still she's diff'rent from the rest, satisfied with me.
She deserves the best but is happy to be with him despite their living situation.
While I worry plan and scheme, Over what to do, Can't help feeling it's a dream, Too good to be true.
He worries about their future, but thinks that maybe their love is too good to be true.
Never had nothin'; no one to care, That's why I seem to have more than my share, I got a woman, crazy for me,She's funny that way.
He never had much in life, which is why he is grateful for the love of his life, who is crazy about him.
When I hurt her feelings, once in a while, Her only answer is one little smile, I got a woman crazy for me. She's funny that way.
When he hurts her feelings, she responds with a smile because she loves him too much to stay mad.
I can see no other way and no better plan, End it all and let her go to some better man; But I'm only human, coward at best, I'm more than certain she's follow me west, I got a woman crazy for me,She's funny that way.
Although he sometimes thinks of ending things with her because he feels unworthy, he can't because she loves him and he knows she would follow him anywhere.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Neil Moret, Richard Whiting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind