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).
Embraceable You
Helen O'connell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Just one look at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you!
The lyrics of "Embraceable You" by Helen O'Connell express a deep longing for love and affection, with the singer addressing their beloved and expressing their desire to be held close. The first two lines are a plea for the embrace of their partner, who is described as "irreplaceable". The simple act of being held by their loved one is enough to make the singer's heart leap with joy, as indicated by the second stanza's description of becoming dizzy with love at the sight of the partner. The third stanza describes the singer's adoration and admiration for the many charms of their partner, and ends with a declaration that they want nothing more than to be able to hold them close. The final line of the song is a playful invitation for the partner to come closer, perhaps indicating that the singer is trying to win their affections.
Line by Line Meaning
Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you!
Please hold me tight, my beloved one who is so easy to hold.
Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Please hold me tight, my one and only who cannot be replaced.
Just one look at you
After only seeing you once,
My heart grew tipsy in me,
My heart became unsteady and intoxicated.
You and you alone
Only you and nobody else
Bring out the gypsy in me!
Makes me feel like a free-spirited nomad.
I love all, the many charms about you!
I adore everything about you and your many appealing qualities.
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Most of all, I crave the intimacy of an embrace with you.
Don't be a naughty baby,
Please don't be mischievous or uncooperative
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
Come to me, please do!
My sweet embraceable you!
You, my dear one whom I yearn to embrace
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Doug Prichard
The older I get, the further back into popular music I reach. The songs were well written, with clever lyrics and beautiful melodies. Add stylish arrangements, top quality musicianship, an amazing voice and you get a true Standard.
Oto Patamar
👏👏👏👏
William Kerr
@Doris In Drag Back in the day when having a soul meant something to most people.
Peter Orrje Jazztrummis
And the feeling!
Doris In Drag
Im 24 yet only listen to big band from the 40’s and 50’s
Its timeless soulful music
MsJazmine8 victoria boyes
I couldn't have put it better myself and don't these songs make you feel all warm and fuzzy LOL
Fred Fittin
I love all of Helen O’Connell’s vocals with the Jimmy Dorsey band...it is hard to believe that this recording is 80 years old!
Holly Drucker
What a voice.... you folks had the best music. And the best bands ever!!!!
Al Biondi
JIMMY DORSEY PLAYED A BEAUTIFUL MEMORABLE AND MELODIC SOLO ON THIS GREAT RECORD. HE WAS UNMISTAKABLE AND INCOMPARABLE . HE WAS MY FAVORITE OF ALL TIME. A FELLOW SAX/CLAR PLAYER
denise lefeuvre
Wish I had lived back in the 40's the music was just incredible 👏👏