Durante was born in New York City, the third of four children born to Mitch Durante (1855 –1929) and Margaret Durante (1858–1936). A product of working-class New York, Durante dropped out of school in the eighth grade to become a full-time ragtime pianist, working the city circuit and earning the nickname "Ragtime Jimmy," before he joined one of the first recognizable jazz bands in New York, the Original New Orleans Jazz Band. Durante was the only member of the group who didn't hail from New Orleans. His routine of breaking into a song to deliver a joke, with band or orchestra chord punctuation after each line became a Durante trademark. In 1920, the group was renamed Jimmy Durante's Jazz Band.
Durante became a vaudeville star and radio attraction by the mid-1920s, with a music and comedy trio called Clayton, Jackson and Durante. (Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson, probably Durante's closest friends, often reunited with Durante professionally.) By 1934, he had a major record hit, his own novelty composition "Inka Dinka Doo," and it became his signature song for practically the rest of his life. A year later, Durante starred in the Billy Rose stage musical, Jumbo, in which a police officer stopped him while leading a live elephant and asked him, "What are you doing with that elephant?" Durante's reply, "What elephant?", was a regular show-stopper.
He began appearing in motion pictures at about the same time, beginning with a comedy series pairing him with silent film legend Buster Keaton and continuing with such offerings as The Wet Parade (1932), The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942, playing Banjo, a character based on Harpo Marx), Ziegfeld Follies (1946), Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962, based on the 1935 musical) and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963).
Umbriago
Jimmy Durante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A fellow can make your life so mellow
There’s one like him in every town
He’s half a man and half a clown
Umbriago
Could be mayor of New York
And of Chicago, hoo-hoo
Umbriago
Raises cane from Portland
Maine to Santiago
When you worry
Better send for Umbriago in a hurry
He’s got lots of time
That’s all he spends is time
He never spends a dime
So when you feel low
Better send for my friend
Umbriago
The song “Umbriago” by Jimmy Durante is about a man named Umbriago who is a half-man, half-clown figure that can make your life happy-go-lucky. Although he is not a man of financial means, he is rich in spirit and time. This song may be seen as a tribute to people who have a carefree attitude to life despite their financial standing.
The lyrics state that Umbriago could be the mayor of New York and Chicago because of his charm and ability to make people feel happy. He is known for raising cane from Portland, Maine to Santiago, meaning he has a wild, free-spirited nature that can spread anywhere. When the listener feels low and worried, they should send for Umbriago in a hurry. He has lots of time to spend with them, which is all he ever spends.
Umbriago may be a fictional character, but he represents an optimistic view of life, where happiness is not necessarily dependent on wealth, but rather on living in the present moment. The message of the song is to remind people to enjoy life and find joy in the simple things.
Line by Line Meaning
I know a fellow
I am acquainted with an individual
A fellow can make your life so mellow
This individual has a calming effect on your life
There’s one like him in every town
Similar people exist in every community
He’s half a man and half a clown
He embodies characteristics of both a typical man and clown
Umbriago
Name of the individual being described
Could be mayor of New York
He possesses qualities that could potentially qualify him to be the mayor of New York
And of Chicago, hoo-hoo
He also has qualities that could potentially qualify him to be the mayor of Chicago
Raises cane from Portland
He instigates mischievous behavior from the city of Portland
Maine to Santiago
From the northeastern US state of Maine to the capital of Chile, Santiago
When you worry
When you are experiencing stress or anxiety
Better send for Umbriago in a hurry
It would be advisable to quickly contact Umbriago to alleviate stress or anxiety
He’s got lots of time
Umbriago does not have many responsibilities or obligations
That’s all he spends is time
The majority of Umbriago's life is spent on leisure activities
He never spends a dime
Umbriago is frugal with his money
So when you feel low
When you are feeling down
Better send for my friend
It would be advantageous to contact Umbriago
Umbriago
Again, this is the name of the individual being referred to
Contributed by Owen G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrDFJohnson
I'm 20 years old and I just saw this movie on tv. I'm 20 and have heard of Jimmy Durante but never seen him. What a Hilarious ans purely funny guy. I couldn't stop 😂😂😂 when bv he pushed the piano.
@George-yt2rs
I never knew how great he was until these postings.
@nealdelia4755
This was the Vauderville Act of Layton, Jackson and Durante. Layton the drummer was the brains who wrote the songs and the jokes. Jackson's timing (he's the one that blocks Jimmy's way) was impeccable. It's because of them we have the Phrase, "The Elephant in the room" Jimmy Durante came on stage with an elephant and Jackson said; "Jimmy what are you doing with that Elephant? Durante replied, what elephant"
@susanjohnston1421
These ppl knew how to make wonderful , true story movies :)❤️❤️🎀🎀🌸🌸
@francesvansiclen3245
RIP sweet Jimmy !
@richardbasciano1348
June Allison and Margret singing great move
@tashayovanin3698
I can’t stop playing this song in my head!!!😂
@richardbasciano3211
Great song puts me in a good mood
@waynebrock3444
Loved this movie, just seen it on TCM a view hours ago.
@nkitnee1580
Fantastico!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍