One of the few white singers to come out of the New Orleans R&B/rock & roll sound (he was known as the "swamp pop R&B teenage idol"), he rode the crest of the popular teen music wave in the 1950s and '60s with such songs as 'Just a Dream' and 'Venus in Blue Jeans'. He even continued to release hits after he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961 and served for two years.
Clanton became a disc jockey in the 1970s and performed in an oldies revue, The Masters of Rock 'n' Roll, with Troy Shondell, Ray Peterson, and Ronnie Dove. He is reputed to have had a religious conversion in the 1980s. In the 1995 Jazz Fest in New Orleans, Clanton performed with Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, and Frankie "Sea Cruise" Ford.
Clanton starred in a rock 'n' roll movie produced by Alan Freed called "Go Johnny Go," and later starred in "Teenage Millionaire."
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Jimmy Clanton Lyrics
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Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
The lyrics to Jimmy Clanton's song, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," speak to the feeling of constantly searching for happiness and fulfillment, only to come up empty-handed. The singer describes their tendency to focus on the negative aspects of life and to have unrealistic dreams that never come to fruition. They contrast themselves with others who are able to find success and happiness, while they are left with only disappointment. Despite this, the singer remains hopeful in their pursuit of a brighter future, symbolized by the metaphor of chasing rainbows and searching for a bluebird.
This song highlights the idea that the grass is always greener on the other side and that we often focus on what we don't have rather than appreciating what we do have. It also touches on the universal human struggle of finding purpose and meaning in life. The metaphor of the rainbow represents a dream that is impossible to catch, yet the singer continues to chase it in the hopes of finding something more.
Overall, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" is a poignant song that captures the longing and hope that many people feel in their search for happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always chasing rainbows
I am constantly pursuing the unattainable or unrealistic
Watching clouds drifting by
I am easily distracted and tend to lose focus on my goals
My schemes are just like all my dreams
My plans and aspirations are unrealistic and impractical
Ending in the sky
My goals always remain out of reach
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
Some people are able to find success and happiness easily
I always look and find the rain
I tend to have bad luck and encounter obstacles in my pursuits
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
Others occasionally succeed in their endeavors
I never even make a gain
I never achieve my desired outcome
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
I am always pursuing the unattainable
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I am constantly looking for a sign of hope in my unsuccessful pursuits
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY CARROLL, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind