Cyprus-born (of Armenian ancestry) Canadian-American songwriter, singer, guitarist, actor, and voice actor specializing in jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley classics. Recognized by his Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and black tie, he first appeared on stage in Toronto, Canada, in the early 1970s. As well as music, he also appeared on film and television in acting and voice-over roles.
Redbone, who had a distinctive deep voice, began his career in the 1970s. His work encompassed pre-war jazz, ragtime, & blues styles with modern arrangements that still retain a vintage feel.
While living in Canada in the early 1970s, Redbone began performing in public at Toronto area nightclubs and folk music festivals. At one point, it was rumored that he was actually comedian Andy Kaufman, who sometimes took on other identities, or Frank Zappa, who somewhat resembled Redbone. However, Redbone has performed since the deaths of Kaufman and Zappa, and the rumors have subsided. David Letterman once proposed that he was Don Novello, the comedian famous for playing Father Guido Sarducci.
In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine ran a feature article on Redbone, a full year before he had a recording contract. The article described his performances as "so authentic you can hear the surface noise [of an old 78 rpm]." His first album, On the Track, was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1975. He was introduced to a larger public as a semi-regular musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s. In a late-'70s appearance on the The Merv Griffin Show, he was introduced as "Andy Kaufman ...maybe or maybe not," alluding to the eccentric comedian as being his possible true identity.
During the 1980s-90s Redbone was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It was apparent from the on-air exchanges between host and guest that Carson was a fan of Redbone's work.
Redbone survived the crash of a small plane in Clarksburg WV on Feb. 12, 1979.
Toyland
Leon Redbone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
little girl and boy land
when you dwell within it
you are ever happy there!
Childhood toyland
mystical merry toyland
once you pass it's borders
< instrumental break >
Childhood toyland ( Toyland! )
mystical merry toyland
once you pass it's borders
you can never return again!
( Toyland! ) Toyland ( Toyland! ) toyland
( Toyland! ) Toyland!
The lyrics of Leon Redbone's Toyland describe a magical land where little boys and girls are forever happy. It's a land filled with childhood toys, a place where children can roam free and dream big. This is evident in the repetition of the phrase "Childhood toyland, mystical, merry toyland", which further emphasizes the enchanting nature of this place.
The second half of the song, however, takes on a more somber tone with the lyrics "once you pass its borders, you can never return again". This line suggests that once we grow up and leave our childhood behind, we can never go back to those carefree days. This is a sentiment that many adults can relate to, as they yearn for the simplicity and innocence of their childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
Toyland, toyland
Childhood, where toys are plenty and imagination abounds
little girl and boy land
A magical land where children play and have fun
when you dwell within it
When you are immersed in the world of toys and make-believe
you are ever happy there!
You feel pure joy and contentment when playing in Toyland
Childhood toyland
The wonderful and carefree world of play that only exists in childhood
mystical merry toyland
A magical and joyful place, filled with toys and happy memories
once you pass it's borders
Once you grow up and leave the world of childhood and make-believe behind
you can never return again! ( not again! )
You can never go back to the pure and innocent happiness of childhood
Childhood toyland ( Toyland! )
The world of childhood, filled with toys and playtime
once you pass it's borders
Once you grow up and leave your childhood behind
you can never return again!
You can never fully recapture the magic of childhood
( Toyland! ) Toyland ( Toyland! ) toyland
Toyland is a special and magical place that lives on in our memories
( Toyland! ) Toyland!
The joyful memories of our childhood and the world of toys and make-believe
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID A. KING, . TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
weaselmaster98
i saw leon redbone live. he shook my hand :D
JR Arsenault
Leon Redbone and Christmas. Two things that live in my heart because of the joy they both give me.
BooBoo Bear
Ah yes, there's no place like home for the holidays.😍
C O
I use to play & sing with this album every Christmas season with my daughter while we made cookies & decorated the tree..Christmas Island is background music on all of our holiday home movies. She was in such a hurry to grow up & I would say..relax listen to the words ... enjoy the moment, she didn't understand. None of us do when we are in a hurry to grow up. I saw Redbone at a small theatre outside of Philly. Great show he's a real classic. I bought her tickets & she didn't get the message. Maybe he'll come out of retirement soon & we'll see him together with her kids as she tells them slow down, don't be in a hurry to grow up, once you do, you can't go back! .. : )
Bonnie Peyser
I love this. The best version
I love Leon. I wish him back.
Bob Schmengle
Would Leon's wife ever be interviewed..
Where is the Leon R. Movie?
William Bulla
“...I live with regrets - the bittersweet loss of innocence - the red track of the moon upon the lake - the inability to return and do it again...”
John Geddes, A Familiar Rain.
.
.
.
.
Will