Helen O'Connell joined the Jimmy Dorsey band in 1939 and achieved her best selling records in the early forties with "Green Eyes", "Amapola", and "Tangerine". In each of these Latin-influenced numbers, Bob Eberly crooned the song which Helen then reprised in an up-tempo arrangement. Helen won the 1940 Metronome magazine poll for best female vocalist. She was one of the first "girls" on NBC's The Today Show, and at one point had her own television show.
Helen retired from show business upon her first marriage in 1943. Helen had four daughters and eight grandchildren. When the first marriage failed, she embarked on a solo career in 1951, achieving some chart success and becoming a regular television performer. Helen has married a total of four times.
She co-hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants with Bob Barker from 1972 to 1980.
In her last marriage, she was married to arranger/conductor/composer Frank De Vol when she died in San Diego, California from a battle with hepatitis C resulting in primary liver cancer (hepatoma).
Brazil
Helen O'connell Lyrics
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We stood beneath an amber moon
And softly murmured "someday soon"
We kissed and clung together
Then, tomorrow was another day
The morning found me miles away
With still a million things to say
Recalling thrills of our love
There′s one thing I'm certain of
Return I will to old brazil
The song "Brazil" by Helen O'Connell speaks of a past love affair that took place in Brazil. The lyrics paint a picture of two hearts that were entertained by the beauty of June in Brazil. The couple stood beneath an amber moon and shared an intimate moment where they murmured words of love and desire. The lyrics suggest that they kissed and clung together, implying that they were deeply in love.
However, as the song progresses, it is revealed that tomorrow was another day, and the morning found the singer miles away. Even though there were still many things left unsaid between the couple, they were forced to part ways. Now, as twilight dims the sky above, the singer recalls the thrills of their love affair. Despite the distance and time that has passed, the singer is certain that they will return to old Brazil where they once shared a beautiful love.
This song expresses the pain of lost love and how one can never forget the beauty of a love affair that has long passed. It also speaks of the hope that one day they might be able to rekindle that love once again. The song has a melancholy tone to it, mixed with a sense of longing and yearning for a past love that can never be forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Brazil, where hearts were entertaining june
June in Brazil is a time when hearts are truly entertained, when love is in the air and people cherish happy moments.
We stood beneath an amber moon
Under that amber moon, we were together, close, and lost in each other's company.
And softly murmured "someday soon"
In a low tone, we spoke of our desire to be in each other's arms, physically and emotionally.
We kissed and clung together
Our embrace became tighter while we kissed, as if we did not want to let go.
Then, tomorrow was another day
We knew that we had other obligations, even though we did not want to part ways.
The morning found me miles away
When the sun rose the next day, I found myself miles apart from you.
With still a million things to say
There are a lot of things I wish I had said to you, but I left without expressing all of my feelings.
Now, when twilight dims the sky above
At this moment when the sky is somewhat obscured by twilight, sometimes in the evening, I reflect and think of you.
Recalling the thrills of our love
Replaying the moments of our love, the ecstasy we felt, the touch that electrified us, and the simple pleasures which created fond memories.
There's one thing I'm certain of
One thing that I am certain about is that I want to return to Brazil, to the place where we were together, where our love was born.
Return I will to old brazil
I am determined to go back to Brazil where I will rekindle happy moments and regain love with the person I shared wonderful moments with.
Writer(s): Ary Barroso, S.k. Russell
Contributed by Elizabeth F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jorge Mario Rodas
Nice version of this samba. I had not Heard it in years but recall my Dad liked to hear it in this version but I never knew who the Singer was, and now just by chance I found it. Nice to hear.
Rosaire Dubrule
Another striking gem