Buddy Greco was born Armando Greco in Philadelphia. His mother introduced him to piano at the age of four. At an early age he was singing and performing on the radio and during his teens in Philadelphia clubs. When he was 16, he was hired by Benny Goodman and toured worldwide. He spent four years with Goodman's orchestra, singing, playing piano, and arranging.
After leaving Goodman at the age of 20, he returned to nightclubs, singing and playing piano. He also recorded many hit songs in jazz, pop, and country music, including "Oh Look A-There", "Ain't She Pretty", "Up, Up and Away" and "Around the World". His most successful single was "The Lady Is a Tramp", which sold over one million copies. During his career, he recorded over sixty albums. He conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, performed for Queen Elizabeth II and with the Beatles.
In the 1960s, his career expanded into movies and television. He appeared often in the TV series Away We Go and had a role in the movie The Girl Who Knew Too Much. He worked with Ron Eschete from 1969–1970. The duo appeared in several TV shows, including The Mike Douglas Show.
Greco met Lezlie Anders while she was performing in Las Vegas. Their first meeting was when they stepped out on stage together, as she was a support act for him at The Desert Inn. After marrying, they worked and toured together.
In 1992, Greco began a thirteen-week act in Las Vegas at the Starlight Room at Stars' Desert Inn. This brought about his second big period of fame. The following year he was added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame. Shortly after, he toured Italy, France, Australia, and England.
While living in Palm Springs, Greco opened a small club. On the walls were pictures of Greco, the Rat Pack, and other celebrity friends, the room arranged by his wife. He often performed at his club, and it was a popular place for stars to dine before he closed it and moved to England.
Living in Palm Desert, California, he continued to appear at his club in Cathedral City, California, until it closed in August 2009. In 2004 he and his wife Lezlie Anders were headliners with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies at the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California.
Greco became acquainted with the UK in 1949. He spent years performing in clubs around England. He moved to Essex, though he still owns his house in Palm Springs, California, where he often spends vacations.
In 2008, Greco toured the UK with Anders. Together they performed with the BBC Big Band and played at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. Greco was the first Las Vegas headliner to star at a British casino when he performed in cabaret in August 2008 at the Circus Casino, Star City, Birmingham. In April 2010, he performed a salute to Frank Sinatra for BBC Radio 2 with the 42-piece BBC Concert Orchestra. He toured the UK for over 30 dates from July 2010 with the Swinging Las Vegas Legends Show.
In 2010 Greco and his wife produced the stage show Fever! The Music of Miss Peggy Lee, which met with critical acclaim and opened in London's West End. The inspiration came from his wife, who was a friend of Lee. The show tells of the life and music of Peggy Lee. Greco plays piano and conducts the orchestra while his wife sings. The show received positive reviews and toured the U.S.
On New Year's Eve 2011 he made a guest appearance on Jools Holland's Hootenanny singing Fly Me to the Moon backed by the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.
In 2012, Greco toured England in smaller venues, including Thameside Theatre Stage, and The Broadway in Essex.
In 2013, Greco celebrated his 80th year in show business in a concert in Southend, Essex. Stars such as the Rat Pack cast, Atila, Kenny Lynch, Paul Young and Michelle Collins were present to celebrate his career and also took part throughout the evening. Greco and his wife performed together.
Awards and honors
Inductee, Walk of Fame, Philadelphia Music Alliance
Appears in Encyclopedia of Great Musicians and the Encyclopedia of Great Jazz Singers and Musicians
Greco has been married five times:
Sally Baionno (1947–1962), divorced, 3 children
Dani Crayne (1961–1974), actress, divorced
Margret Kinley (1974–1977), divorced, 1 child Anastasia Greco
Jackie Sabatino (1977–?), 3 children
Lezlie Anders (14 April 1995–present)
Bewitched Bothered And Bewildered
Buddy Greco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a fool can have her charms
I'm in love and don't I show it
Like a babe in arms
Love's the same old situation
Lately I've not slept a wink
Since this crazy situation
I'm wild again, beguiled again
A whimpering, simpering child again
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep
Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I lost my heart, but what of it
She is cold I agree
She might laugh, but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
And long, for the day when I'll cling to her
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
"Bewitched" is a classic love song that tells the story of someone who is completely enchanted with another person. The first verse acknowledges that the love interest may not be the smartest or most sensible person in the world, but that they have a certain charm that is irresistible. The singer admits that they are head-over-heels in love, and that they cannot help but show it, even though it may make them appear vulnerable.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's feelings of being completely overwhelmed by their love for this person. They describe themselves as "wild again" and "beguiled again," and compare themselves to "a whimpering, simpering child." They feel entirely "bewitched, bothered, and bewildered" by their lover, unable to sleep or think of anything else.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer describing the ways that their love has affected them. They have lost sleep, and the "crazy situation" has left them feeling confused and uncertain. Despite this, they cannot deny their deep feelings for the object of their affection. They may have lost their heart, but they are willing to sing and bring spring to this person in the hopes of winning them over.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a fool and don't I know it
I am aware of her foolishness
But a fool can have her charms
Even though she is foolish, she can still be attractive
I'm in love and don't I show it
I am in love with her and it's obvious
Like a babe in arms
I am helpless and vulnerable when it comes to love
Love's the same old situation
Love is a situation that is constantly repeated
Lately I've not slept a wink
I haven't been able to sleep lately
Since this crazy situation
Because of this crazy situation
Has me on the blink
Has me feeling confused and disoriented
I'm wild again, beguiled again
I am once again feeling passionate and seduced
A whimpering, simpering child again
I am feeling like a weak and helpless child
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am under her spell, bothered and confused
Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep
I couldn't sleep and didn't want to
Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep
I was too preoccupied with thoughts of love to sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am still under her spell, bothered and confused
I lost my heart, but what of it
I fell in love with her, but it doesn't matter
She is cold I agree
I know that she is distant and unemotional
She might laugh, but I love it
Even though she may be laughing at me, I still love her
Although the laugh's on me
Even though she is laughing at my expense
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
I will sing to her and try to bring happiness
And long, for the day when I'll cling to her
I am eagerly waiting for the day when I can be with her
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am still under her spell, bothered and confused
Lyrics © DistroKid, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve LoGuercio
Great musician! One of the best, so glad I saw him many times. I wish there were more like Mr. Greco, but God broke the mold!
bahons72
This is good stuff, great musicians, great song, great interpretation, pure pleasure to listen to.
Paul Dance
RIP so classy so much talent to entertain us for all those years, hope we meet again.
Michael Chapman
Buddy Greco came along during an era of many Fabulous singers performing & recording many of the songs of The Great American Songbook as Buddy is singing here, Rodgers & Hart "Bewitched Bothered & Bewildered" & Buddy held His own as a pianist & singer as in 'Buddy's take on Rodgers & Hart's "the Lady is a Tramp" My Grandparents lived around the corner on N Bronson Ave from 'Capitol Melrose Studios' at 5515 Melrose Ave, LA, Hollywood where Nat Cole, Peggy Lee, Keely Smith, Stan Kenton & Sinatra, etc recorded So many great records with Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Billy May, Gordon Jenkins, Don Costa to name a few... 'Once upon a time in Hollywood
Paul Dance
Is that herb Ellis on guitar ?