Lester Elliott Elgart (August 3, 1917, New Haven, Connecticut – July 29, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Lester Elliott Elgart (August 3, 1917, New Haven, Connecticut – July 29, 1995, Dallas, Texas) was an American swing jazz bandleader and trumpeter. Larry Elgart (March 20, 1922 – August 29, 2017) was an American jazz bandleader. With his brother Les, he recorded "Bandstand Boogie", the theme to the long-running dance show American Bandstand.

Larry Elgart was born in 1922 in New London, Connecticut, four years younger than his brother, Les. Their mother was a concert pianist; their father played piano as well, though not professionally. Both brothers began playing in jazz ensembles in their teens, and while young Larry played with jazz musicians such as Charlie Spivak, Woody Herman, Red Norvo, Freddie Slack and Tommy Dorsey.

In the mid-1940s, Les and Larry started up their own ensemble, hiring Nelson Riddle, Bill Finegan and Ralph Flanagan to arrange tunes for them. Their ensemble was not successful, and after a few years, they scuttled the band and sold the arrangements they had commissioned to Tommy Dorsey. Both returned to sideman positions in various orchestras.

In 1953, Larry met Charles Albertine and recorded two of his experimental compositions, "Impressions of Outer Space" and "Music for Barefoot Ballerinas". Released on 10" vinyl, these recordings became collector's items for fans of avant-garde jazz, but they were not commercially successful at the time. Larry and Albertine put together a more traditional ensemble and began recording them using precise microphone placements, producing what came to be known as the "Elgart sound". This proved to be very commercially successful, and Larry enjoyed a run of successful albums and singles in the 1950s.

In 1954, the Elgarts left their permanent mark on music history in recording Albertine's "Bandstand Boogie," for the legendary television show originally hosted by Bob Horn, and two years later, Dick Clark. Clark took the show national, to ABC-TV, in 1956 and remained host for another 32 years. Variations of the original surfaced as the show's theme in later years. Les and Larry reunited in 1963, but it would not last long. Les moved to Texas and performed for the rest of his life with The Les Elgart Orchestra while Larry continued to perform and record regularly for decades.

Larry's biggest exposure came in 1982, with the smash success of a recording called "Hooked on Swing". The instrumental was a medley of swing jazz hits - "In the Mood", "Cherokee", "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree", "American Patrol", "Sing, Sing, Sing", "Don't Be That Way", "Little Brown Jug", "Opus #1", "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" and "A String of Pearls" - that became so popular it even cracked the US Billboard Pop Singles chart (at #31) and Adult Contemporary chart (#20). This was the final hit for any artist in the year-long "medley craze," that lasted from 1981 to 1982. Billed as "Larry Elgart and His Manhattan Swing Orchestra," the LP from which the tune was taken hit #24 on the US charts. The follow-up, Hooked on Swing 2, debuted at #89 on the album charts, and soon after Larry was back to the jazz touring circuit. He continued to tour internationally and record into the 2000s.

Les Elgart began playing trumpet as a teenager and was playing professionally by the age of twenty. During the 1940s he was a member of bands led by Raymond Scott, Charlie Spivak, and Harry James, occasionally finding himself alongside his brother Larry. They formed the Les & Larry Elgart Ensemble in 1945, hiring Nelson Riddle, Ralph Flanagan, and Bill Finegan to write arrangements. The union was short-lived, however, due to the Musician's Union strike and the waning of swing jazz's popularity. The ensemble broke up in 1946.

In 1952, the brothers reunited and released albums on Columbia Records, many to considerable sales success. Among their popular tunes was "Bandstand Boogie", which was used by Dick Clark as the theme song for the television dance show American Bandstand. By the end of the decade, Elgart quit performing, preferring to handle the business aspects of the band.

The brothers reunited again in 1963, hiring arrangers Charles Albertine and Bobby Scott for music that could be categorized as easy listening. Les Elgart worked until his death from heart failure in 1995.

If I Had a Hammer
Les & Larry Elgart Lyrics

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I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you

I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you

I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned

Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "If I Had a Hammer" by Les & Larry Elgart express a deep longing for a romantic partner and the transformative power of love. The singer reflects on the positive impact that having this person by their side would have on their life, imagining a world where everything is brighter and more joyful. The lyrics suggest that with the presence of this special someone, the singer could bring happiness to the world, leave behind the past, and start anew.

The repetition of the lines emphasizing the ability to show the world how to smile and change grey skies to blues highlights the optimism and hope that love can bring. The imagery of climbing snow-capped mountains, sailing the mighty ocean, and crossing burning deserts symbolizes the challenges and obstacles that the singer believes they can overcome with their partner beside them. It speaks to the idea that love gives one the strength and courage to face any difficulties that may come their way.

The mention of being a king, uncrowned, suggests a sense of unfulfilled potential that could be realized with the love and support of the partner. The lyrics convey a willingness to embrace any circumstances, whether humble or rich, as long as they have their loved one with them. This showcases the idea that true happiness and fulfillment come not from material wealth or status, but rather from the presence of someone who truly cares for and supports you.

In conclusion, "If I Had a Hammer" portrays a deep yearning for the transformative power of love and the belief that with the right person by your side, anything is possible. The lyrics paint a picture of a life filled with joy, adventure, and endless possibilities, all made achievable by the presence of a beloved partner. It conveys a message of hope and optimism, celebrating the profound impact that love can have on one's life and highlighting the belief that true happiness lies in the connection and bond shared with another individual.

Line by Line Meaning

I could show the world how to smile
I could bring happiness and positivity to those around me

I could be glad all of the while
I could experience joy constantly

I could change the grey skies to blues
I could turn sadness into happiness

If I had you
With your presence, all this is achievable

I could leave the old days behind
I could move forward from the past

Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
Leaving behind old friends wouldn't bother me

I could start my life all a new
I could begin fresh and anew

I could climb the snow capped mountains
I could conquer great challenges

Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could explore vast possibilities

I could cross the burning desert
I could overcome difficult obstacles

If I had you by my side
With your support and companionship