Closing theme

[Lvanett]

Hey all,

Many years ago, I taped the closing theme from "The Honeymooners" off the TV. This was the original and not the cheesy remake found on some CDs. I noticed that the one I taped was an "extended" version, which the remake is apparently based on. (go here if you want to hear what I mean: http://home.comcast.net/~millenniumb...neymooners.mp3) Of course, the tape I recorded it on has since deteriorated since it was from over 20 years ago, and I no longer have it. But I remember that wonderful extended theme.

So now I have a question: is the ORIGINAL VERSION of the extended closing theme found on any of the eps on DVD? I would really like to find it, as well as get some Honeymooners eps too!

Thanx in advance!

Lynda

PS I'm not just a Honeymooners fan, but also a fan of Jackie Gleason's music too.

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by Lvanett

Hey all,

Many years ago, I taped the closing theme from "The Honeymooners" off the TV. This was the original and not the cheesy remake found on some CDs. I noticed that the one I taped was an "extended" version, which the remake is apparently based on. (go here if you want to hear what I mean: http://home.comcast.net/~millenniumb...neymooners.mp3) Of course, the tape I recorded it on has since deteriorated since it was from over 20 years ago, and I no longer have it. But I remember that wonderful extended theme.

So now I have a question: is the ORIGINAL VERSION of the extended closing theme found on any of the eps on DVD? I would really like to find it, as well as get some Honeymooners eps too!

Thanx in advance!

Lynda

PS I'm not just a Honeymooners fan, but also a fan of Jackie Gleason's music too.

That version of "You're My Greatest Love" which you gave the link to, sounds too much like the re-recorded versions that were used on the various "Honeymooners Reunion Specials" that were syndicated by Viacom and produced by Andrew Solt. It is not the Sammy Spear (or even Ray Bloch) versions used on the Jackie Gleason Show, or the classic 39 Honeymooners. There were some classic 39's that DID end with the extended version as you described but they were a totally different orchestration under the direction of Sammy Spear.

[Lvanett]

Oh I know the link I provided isn't the one used on the classic 39 or The Jackie Gleason Show, I just provided the link so anyone who was wondering how it sounded could hear it. I know that version has also been used on reunion specials and all.

What I'm trying to find out is if anyone knows what Honeymooners DVD (or VHS tape) the ORIGINAL version might be on, so I can hear it again. (Every time I hear the remake it churns my stomach.)

Does that make any sense?

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by VIDEOWACK

That version of "You're My Greatest Love" which you gave the link to, sounds too much like the re-recorded versions that were used on the various "Honeymooners Reunion Specials" that were syndicated by Viacom and produced by Andrew Solt. It is not the Sammy Spear (or even Ray Bloch) versions used on the Jackie Gleason Show, or the classic 39 Honeymooners. There were some classic 39's that DID end with the extended version as you described but they were a totally different orchestration under the direction of Sammy Spear.

I'm not looking to step on your toes, Rob, but the version on the link sounds to me like it's the from the Television's Greatest Hits CDs produced by TV Toons in the mid 80s. Many of the tracks were from the original program elements, but there were also many recreations, of which the Honeymooners and the Jackie Gleason Show were included.

To Lvanett: Welcome aboard. I'm also a fan of the Gleason Capitol recordings. Do you have a favorite album?

[Lvanett]

Hi there!
The link I provided is indeed the version from the Television's Greatest Hits cd. I got it thinking I'd get to hear the original version and when I heard their remake instead, I cringed. I vowed I'd find the original version of the extended theme, and now I'm trying to find which DVD it's on. (Or isn't it on any of them?)

My favorite Gleason albums are The Romantic Moods of Jackie Gleason, and Merry Christmas.
Simply beautiful.

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by Lvanett

Hi there!
The link I provided is indeed the version from the Television's Greatest Hits cd. I got it thinking I'd get to hear the original version and when I heard their remake instead, I cringed. I vowed I'd find the original version of the extended theme, and now I'm trying to find which DVD it's on. (Or isn't it on any of them?)

My favorite Gleason albums are The Romantic Moods of Jackie Gleason, and Merry Christmas.
Simply beautiful.

If it's the bona fide tv version you're after, try the classic 39 Honeymooners DVD set.

I like the Christmas album, too. The cover art and illustrations are truly evocative of the era in which the album was released. You might also enjoy the album listing at this link:

gleasonmusic.netfirms.com

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by MrBand

I'm not looking to step on your toes, Rob, but the version on the link sounds to me like it's the from the Television's Greatest Hits CDs produced by TV Toons in the mid 80s. Many of the tracks were from the original program elements, but there were also many recreations, of which the Honeymooners and the Jackie Gleason Show were included.

To Lvanett: Welcome aboard. I'm also a fan of the Gleason Capitol recordings. Do you have a favorite album?

True, I have the TV Toons albums also. My main point was that the music was re-created as opposed to original. As for Jackie's albums, I have many of them myself.....my favorites are RIFF JAZZ, SILK 'N BRASS, VELVET BRASS, and ROMANTIC MOODS. Then again, I like em all!

[Lvanett]

thanx everyone for all your help!

BTW, I should point that I knew the name the of the theme was "You're My Greatest Love."
I was hoping I could find it in the clear on DVD, so I"ll try that fer sure! (Wish I could find that theme on the web too, but not sure about the legalities involved....ah well...)

Now I'm curious as to whether or not there are any other variations of "You're My Greatest Love" available? I know they played the theme, with some lush strings, towards the end of some eps. Also was (or is) there a vocal version ever released of it? I think it's a catchy song and I'd love to hear it in different forms, and if possible, learn the lyrics.

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by Lvanett

thanx everyone for all your help!

BTW, I should point that I knew the name the of the theme was "You're My Greatest Love."
I was hoping I could find it in the clear on DVD, so I"ll try that fer sure! (Wish I could find that theme on the web too, but not sure about the legalities involved....ah well...)

Now I'm curious as to whether or not there are any other variations of "You're My Greatest Love" available? I know they played the theme, with some lush strings, towards the end of some eps. Also was (or is) there a vocal version ever released of it? I think it's a catchy song and I'd love to hear it in different forms, and if possible, learn the lyrics.

I don't think a vocal version was ever released, but the best version of it can be found on the CD: "And Awaaay We Go! with Jackie Gleason". It is Gleasons's own orchestra performing it. I have included a link in case you're interested.


http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1020525/a/And+Awaaay+We+Go!.htm

[W.B.]

The only "vocal" version of "You're My Greatest Love" I know of was credited to "Jackie Gleason's Vocal Orchestra, with The Voices of Artie Melvin [sic]," released as a single in 1956. The "vocals" were more in league with what was on one of Mr. Gleason's later albums, "Oooooo!"

[Lvanett]

thanx everyone for your help, and the info! Maybe if I can't find a vocal version easily, I could find the lyrics. I just think it'd be neat to either hear that song sung, or sing it myself!

Lynda

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by Lvanett

thanx everyone for your help, and the info! Maybe if I can't find a vocal version easily, I could find the lyrics. I just think it'd be neat to either hear that song sung, or sing it myself!

Lynda

Glad to oblige, Lynda.


You're My Greatest Love
Lyric by Bill Templeton Music by Jackie Gleason
Copyright 1955 Songsmiths, Inc.


You're my greatest love
You're heavenly, you're stars from above
You set my heart afire with desire constantly.
You're my greatest dream
To hold you close is my greatest scheme
The vision of your charms in my arms haunting me.
I can't recall the words that all the poems seem to reveal
Simple words like "heart" and "soul" hold the love that I feel.
You're my greatest love
For me there will be no greater love
So give your heart to me, let this be our great love.

[MrBand]

Here's one of America's legendary jazz treasures, Miss Ella Fitzgerald, singing Melancholy Serenade on the Hollywood Palace in 1969:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=p4Mb_JQgw1M

[Madame X]

I'm confused about the theme song. I thought the opening theme is "You're My Greatest Love," and the closing theme is "Melancholy Serenade." I have the 39 on order, so I can't refer to the DVD's yet to find out. Can someone set me straight?

[W.B.]

Originally Posted by Madame X

I'm confused about the theme song. I thought the opening theme is "You're My Greatest Love," and the closing theme is "Melancholy Serenade." I have the 39 on order, so I can't refer to the DVD's yet to find out. Can someone set me straight?

On the "Classic 39," there were two different renditions of "You're My Greatest Love" offered, one for the opening titles and the other for the end credits. The only time "Melancholy Serenade" was used as a theme was on the 1976-1978 series of Honeymooners specials.