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).
Young At Heart
Jimmy Durante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It can happen to you
If you're young at heart.
For it's hard you will find
To be narrow of mind
If you're young at heart.
With impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams
Fall apart at the seams
And life becomes exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart or on its way.
Don't you know that it's worth
Every treasure on earth
To be young at heart.
The lyrics to Jimmy Durante's "Young At Heart" encourage listeners to maintain a youthful spirit and optimistic outlook on life. The song suggests that, regardless of age, an open mind and willingness to dream can lead to a fulfilling life. The opening line, "Fairy tales can come true," sets the tone for the rest of the song, implying that anything is possible if one maintains a positive and imaginative viewpoint.
The second verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding narrow-mindedness, stating that an open mind is key to living a full life. The chorus emphasizes the idea that anything is possible if one is "young at heart" and that laughter and excitement can be found even when dreams fall apart. The final verse emphasizes the value of youth, suggesting that maintaining a youthful spirit is more valuable than any material wealth.
In short, the song's lyrics remind listeners that maintaining a youthful spirit is essential to living a happy and fulfilling life. By keeping an open mind and an optimistic outlook on life, one can find joy and excitement even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Fairy tales can come true
It's possible for the seemingly impossible to become a reality.
It can happen to you
Anyone can experience the joy of their dreams coming true.
If you're young at heart.
Having a youthful spirit and outlook on life is key to making your dreams a reality.
For it's hard you will find
Life is challenging and can weigh heavy on those who are close-minded.
To be narrow of mind
Having a limited perspective on life can lead to missed opportunities.
If you're young at heart.
Remaining open-minded creates opportunities for adventure and joy.
You can go to extremes
With a bold attitude, you can take risks and dream big.
With impossible schemes
Even though your goals and plans may seem far-fetched, they are worth pursuing.
You can laugh when your dreams
Even when things don't go according to plan, you can find humor in the situation.
Fall apart at the seams
When things don't work out, you'll still be optimistic about the future.
And life becomes exciting with each passing day
Approaching each day with excitement allows you to enjoy the present and look forward to the future.
And love is either in your heart or on its way.
Positive attitude brings happiness and opens the possibility for love.
Don't you know that it's worth
Having a youthful outlook is valuable beyond measure.
Every treasure on earth
The benefits of being young at heart outweigh any material object.
To be young at heart.
A youthful spirit is priceless and brings joy to life.
Lyrics © JUNE'S TUNES LTD. PARTNERSHIP, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Carolyn Leigh, Johnny Richards
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rudyponzio6466
Geeze what aliveness! Jimmy gives me goose bumps!
I just looked into who owns the rights to this great composition.
To publish my cover of it
And saw that Jimmy also covered this.
It’s the first time I heard it !
Wow I feel similarly in my interpretation.
Well it’s not all about me but I toot my own horn with the best.
Anyway I published other songs that can be found on YouTube if you like them please comment.
God bless Jimmy Durante
I’m greatful for the art he left us.
And I will be searching for more of his gifts.
“The human nutrition derived from musical art purity comes from the intent of the artist and influence of the governing authorities “ R.P.
Thank you for this place to share like this.
Sincerely,
@stanmarris7961
When Jimmy got married later in life and wanted to adopt a little girl, some people objected since was so old at the time, 63, I think. In the court, the judge presiding ruled in Jimmy's favor regarding the adoption, stating that he had heard Jimmy sing this song, and knew that the little girl would have a wonderful childhood as long as Jimmy lived, which was long enough for her to grow up. She wrote a book about growing up with him, which was very touching since he was such a great father to her.
@johngalt0096
Inspiring, thank you!
@jerrymoore838
I love Jimmy's performance of this song. Very heartfelt
@vichy7661
Tony Bennett sings perfectly, hits every note almost redefining the note sound, while jimmy sings so intensely soulful from deep chasms unlocked in the human heart, unlocking emotions yet unfound.
@drrobertling1393
Well said
@richardallen3120
Actually, if you listen to Tony Bennett's phrasing on many of his recordings you will hear echos of Jimmy Durante. The way he turns a phrase or accents certain syllables is reminiscent of Durante's delivery, so he seems to have been influenced by Durante. In particular, listen to the way Bennett sings The Shadow of Your Smile. It's easy to imagine Jimmy Durante doing the song very similarly, not of course with the same vocal quality but certainly, as you mentioned, from the heart. And that's what music is all about: from one heart to another.
@c.d.macaulay66
This man was special. I remember thinking when he passed that future generations would never know just how special he was. Their loss.
@Goku-tm4ks
Descanse en paz Boomerang (2001-2021). Gracias a ti descubrí ésta bellísima canción.
@maryanntoohey2561
I play this several times a day on my walks thank you Jimmy thank you Hod
@dcv1894
65 years old and still sounds so bright and fresh.