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The 1952 song that became a “huge influence” on Jake Gyllenhaal’s career
Jake Gyllenhaal has identified Danny Kaye’s 1952 song ‘Inchworm’ as a major influence on his work as an actor and performer. He said Kaye’s enthusiasm for entertaining, alongside his apparent care for children, is evident in the song; the article presents this as an insight into Gyllenhaal’s artistic influences beyond his better-known dramatic roles.
Kaye performed ‘Inchworm’ in the musical film Hans Christian Andersen, where its simple, nursery-rhyme style is used to teach children maths by counting flowers. The song was later covered by artists including Paul McCartney, while David Bowie said it significantly inspired his 1980 single ‘Ashes to Ashes’; Gyllenhaal is also reported to have recently completed work on Road House 2 and signed on for an adaptation of The Division.
In short
- Gyllenhaal calls Danny Kaye’s ‘Inchworm’ a major career influence.
- The song came from 1952 musical Hans Christian Andersen.
- Bowie cited it as inspiration for ‘Ashes to Ashes’.
Explained simply
Danny Kaye was a prominent mid-twentieth century entertainer known for his work in theatre, film and music across several decades. In 1952, he performed the song "Inchworm" in the musical film Hans Christian Andersen, where its simple, nursery-rhyme style was used to teach children counting through references to flowers.
The song has maintained cultural influence over the decades, with later artists including Paul McCartney choosing to perform their own versions. "Inchworm" exemplifies Kaye's entertainment philosophy that blended skilled performance with apparent care for children's education and enjoyment.
Jake Gyllenhaal is an American actor known for dramatic roles in major films and television productions. His identification of such influences provides insight into what shapes the artistic practices of contemporary performers and the creative sources they draw upon in their work.