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
The Last Dance
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're dimming the lights down, they're hoping we'll go
It's obvious they're aware of us, the pair of us
Alone on the floor
Still I want to hold you like this forever and more
It the last song, they're playing the last song
The orchestra's yawning, they're sleepy I know
Keep holding me tight
Through the last dance, each beat of the last dance
And save me the first dance in your dreams tonight
Jackie Gleason’s The Last Dance is a beautiful ballad that captures the emotions of a couple as they dance together for the last time. The lyricist uses rich imagery and metaphors to convey the melancholy feelings of the couple who are reluctantly leaving each other’s embrace. Gleason sings, “It’s the last dance, we’ve come to the last dance. They’re dimming the lights down, they’re hoping we’ll go.” These lines set the tone and mood of the ballad – the couple is aware that their time together is coming to an end, yet they want to cling to each other forever.
In the second stanza, Gleason sings about the orchestra’s weariness, contrasting it with the couple’s desire to be locked in each other’s embrace. “It’s the last song, they’re playing the last song. The orchestra’s yawning, they’re sleepy I know. They’re wondering just when will we leave, but till we leave keep holding me tight.” These lines indicate the couple’s reluctance to let go of each other despite the awareness that the night is ending.
In the final stanza, the lyricist shifts towards the future, with the couple bidding farewell and hoping to meet in their dreams. “Through the last dance, each beat of the last dance, and save me the first dance in your dreams tonight.” The couple’s final dance becomes a metaphor for their final moments together, and they want to hold on to their memories of that dance forever.
Overall, this ballad captures the fleeting beauty of momentary joy and love, which is sometimes all that we have before life takes us away from each other forever.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the last dance, we've come to the last dance
This is our final opportunity to dance together.
They're dimming the lights down, they're hoping we'll go
The staff is urging us to leave by lowering the brightness of the environment.
It's obvious they're aware of us, the pair of us
The employees have taken notice of us as a couple and are anticipating our actions.
Alone on the floor
We are dancing together without the influence of anyone else.
Still I want to hold you like this forever and more
I wish to maintain this intimate embrace for an infinite amount of time.
It the last song, they're playing the last song
Now, this is the final piece being performed.
The orchestra's yawning, they're sleepy I know
The band seems tired, and it is evident.
They're wondering just when will we leave, but till we leave
The staff is beginning to anticipate when we will depart, but until then,
Keep holding me tight
Continue embracing me compassionately.
Through the last dance, each beat of the last dance
For the entirety of this final dance, every individual rhythm must be cherished.
And save me the first dance in your dreams tonight
Please remember to think of me as the first dance partner in your dreams tonight.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JIMMY VAN HEUSEN, SAMMY CAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hafiz Rahman
I'm currently 19. And yes I prefer this music more than other music nowdays. Young generation nowdays hardly respect and embrace this kind of music , which is the real music. Jackie Gleason , you have my respect .
Dale Lloyd
Strings and trumpet.....none better. This guy could create moods like none other. He never got his full due......but those who are beyond their time never do.........
macatcas
Thank you so much. Jackie Gleason was not just a fat, funny guy. He was a multi-talented and complex man. I love his vocal version of "Call Me Irresponsible". His comic characters were great. I loved his TV show when I was a kid. His music should not be forgotten. He will always be "The Great One" to me. Thanks again.
Fran Rubin
His talents were truly endless…& he had that fine touch: the musician’s ear, the artist’s eye…the incomparable Jackie Gleason could make us laugh or cry with his comedy, drama, music. As a bandleader ( who couldn’t read music) he
excelled at creating haunting new renditions of romantic favorites. He will probably be most remembered for being feisty Ralph Kramden in “The Honeymooners” but he was also a true visionary in his bandleading, directing & producing. “And AWAY-Y we GO…” We still watch you & love you, Jackie. 👌🤣🎼🎤🌷❤️❤️
William Clay
I wish a younger generation would embrace this music. Their would be alot less problems in the world today!
t00
One of those tunes ya could have on loop and not get tired hearing it. The same with many of his tunes. Sometimes I just let it play over and over again. Thanks for adding this selection.
Hafiz Rahman
When I heard this music, I remember all the nostalgia in my life.
jim hauck
some of my fondest memories are the honeymooners and the jackie gleason show. he is an american icon who shall live on in the hearts of all those who remember and enjoyed his style
William Shirk
I listen to this and just cry for all the love lost, the regret of the road not taken, the grief of a chance let go.
Reuben
Hear hear! 😅