ByQuotes

Mitch Leigh Quotes

Powerful Mitch Leigh for Daily Growth

About Mitch Leigh

Mitch Leigh (July 17, 1924 – June 5, 2014) was an influential American composer, best known for his work on the Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha," which earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards. Born Milton Leigh Kaprow in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrants, Leigh showed a keen interest in music from an early age. He began studying piano at age six and by his teen years was performing professionally with big bands around the city. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned to New York and launched his career as a songwriter. Leigh's first major success came in the 1950s when he co-wrote the hit song "The Little Shoemaker" with Joe Darion. The duo would later collaborate on "Man of La Mancha," a musical adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote." Premiering on Broadway in 1965, the show ran for over two thousand performances and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show's most famous song, "The Impossible Dream," became an instant classic. Throughout his career, Leigh continued to compose for theater, television, and film. He also penned songs for artists such as Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand. Despite suffering a stroke in 2013, he remained active in music until his death in June 2014 at the age of 89. Mitch Leigh's work has left an indelible mark on American musical theater, inspiring generations of composers and audiences alike with his unforgettable melodies and powerful storytelling.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Love is a fragile thing, take my hand and let me hold it up"

This quote by Mitch Leigh suggests that love is a delicate and vulnerable emotion that requires care and support. The speaker offers their hand as a symbol of strength to help stabilize or protect the fragile nature of love. In essence, they are offering emotional support and encouragement to someone who may be struggling with the complexities of love, inviting them to share the burden together.

"I believe in love at first sight, but I also believe it takes time to grow into that love."

This quote expresses a belief in the initial intense attraction (love at first sight) towards someone, yet acknowledges that this connection requires time and nurturing to develop into a mature and lasting love. In essence, Mitch Leigh is suggesting that instant attraction needs to be cultivated over time for it to fully blossom and become deep, enduring love.

"A kiss doesn't end with the closing of lips; a smile doesn't end when the face is relaxed."

This quote by Mitch Leigh suggests that the impact of emotions like love or happiness, such as a kiss or a smile, extends beyond the immediate moment. It implies that these gestures leave a lasting impression, affecting not just the recipient but also the giver in some subtle way. The memory of the shared emotion lingers long after the physical act has ended, continuing to influence thoughts, feelings, and actions. This idea underscores the power of emotional connection and its far-reaching effects.

"Love isn't just something you feel, it's something you do."

This quote by Mitch Leigh emphasizes that love is not solely an emotional state but also a verb – an action or series of actions. In other words, love is demonstrated through our behaviors towards others. While feelings of affection may be present in a loving relationship, it's the tangible expressions of care, respect, and commitment that truly define love.

"What's important in a song is not the words or the music but the feeling that the combination of the two gives you."

This quote by Mitch Leigh suggests that the emotional impact of a song is more significant than its individual components, such as lyrics or melody. The magic lies in how these elements combine to evoke feelings within listeners, creating a unique and powerful experience. It underscores the importance of harmony, not just between notes but between words and music, as they work together to stir emotions in people.

There's more musical freedom on Madison Avenue than anywhere else. It's an Eden for a composer.

- Mitch Leigh

More, Musical, Madison, Madison Avenue

Not exactly what the world was looking for, a musical on 'Don Quixote.' It was required reading in high school.

- Mitch Leigh

Reading, Musical, Exactly, Quixote

I grew up in Brownsville; most of the kids I grew up with went to jail, not Yale. If they had heard of Yale, they thought it was a lock to pick.

- Mitch Leigh

Thought, Jail, Had, Yale

When I left Yale, I was prepared to write anything.

- Mitch Leigh

Prepared, Left, Write, Yale

I applied to Yale, and I got in.

- Mitch Leigh

Got, Applied, Yale

One doesn't go on television for the Manhattan crowd. You buy the sides of buses for that.

- Mitch Leigh

Television, Crowd, Buy, Buses

'La Mancha' was a gift from me to me. I never thought for a minute it was going to be a hit.

- Mitch Leigh

Gift, Never, Hit, La

If one wants to go on living, one must evolve. Before, when we composed, we would start by a series of music themes. Once created, we would hire writers and lyricists to make up the text and the story line. I was the first to do this backwards with 'Man of La Mancha.'

- Mitch Leigh

Hire, Line, Before, La

You have to do what is real and what is right and what is good and what you believe in. It doesn't mean it's always going to work. It doesn't. But when it does, it is truthful and forever.

- Mitch Leigh

Work, Always, Going, Truthful

If you're not a nice person, don't call.

- Mitch Leigh

You, Person, Call, Nice Person

The old joke was Mitch Leigh, land baron, barren land.

- Mitch Leigh

Land, Old, Leigh, Barren

To call somebody a Jewish composer is obviously redundant.

- Mitch Leigh

Jewish, Call, Composer, Redundant

My advice to singers is always the same: 'Don't sing the song, sing the lyric.'

- Mitch Leigh

Song, Always, Singers, Lyric

New York is really the cheapest ad market. When I go on TV, I'm hitting a country. The market is as big as some countries, you know.

- Mitch Leigh

New, Big, Country, Cheapest

If I do what I really want to do, I'm not going to do a typical commercial Broadway show, so I'm going to write what I want to write.

- Mitch Leigh

Commercial, Going, Broadway, Typical

When you think of Mitch Leigh as a businessman, remember he's also a composer. And when you think of Mitch Leigh as a composer, remember he's also a businessman.

- Mitch Leigh

Remember, Think, Composer, Leigh

I was in the army, and I had given up the thought of being a composer.

- Mitch Leigh

Thought, Army, Given, Composer

I think if you see that no one is going to laugh at you for it, I think the concept of living nicely will be infectious. I believe there is room for the absence of cynicism.

- Mitch Leigh

Think, Nicely, Infectious, Cynicism

It's still word of mouth that is going to make or break a show, and while critics can't help a show, they can hurt it.

- Mitch Leigh

Going, Break, Still, Mouth

You can't make money on advertising; you just have to seed the clouds. What you're after is word of mouth.

- Mitch Leigh

Money, Advertising, Seed, Mouth

I'll write anything; I don't want to judge its form.

- Mitch Leigh

Want, Write, Form, Judge

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.