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).
Especially for You
Helen O'connell Lyrics
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Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
You forgot your promises, every single vow
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
How can I forget the hours that I worried through
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
In those days you never thought anything of me
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
Every road has a turning
That's one thing you're learning
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
The lyrics of "Especially for You" by Helen O'Connell express the change in the singer's attitude towards a former lover. The song talks about the pain and heartbreak the singer endured because of the person who broke their promises and laughed at them. However, the singer has moved on and found someone better. The lyrics say "I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me," indicating that the tables have turned and the singer is no longer the one in pain.
The first verse talks about how the singer used to weep over the hurtful things the former lover said and how they couldn't sleep because of it. The lyrics also mention how the person forgot their promises and laughed at the singer. However, the chorus talks about how the singer's attitude has changed, and they have found someone better with "two eyes just a little bit bluer" and a "heart just a little bit truer." The chorus also mentions that "Every road has a turning, that's one thing you're learning."
The second verse talks about the worry and anxiety the singer endured while with the former lover, and how the person never thought much of them. However, the chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer has moved on and found someone better, and it is now the former lover's turn to feel the pain that the singer once felt.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember other days how I used to weep
I recall the past when I used to cry and feel sad
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
Your words to me used to affect me so much that I couldn't sleep at night
You forgot your promises, every single vow
You went back on all the promises and commitments you made to me
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
You used to make fun of me, but now the situation has changed
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
I shed tears for you in the past, now it's your turn to feel the same way about me
Every road has a turning
Every situation has its ups and downs and things do change over time
That's one thing you're learning
You are realizing the truth about how things can change and how it feels to be in a difficult position
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
I was a fool to have cried for you in the past
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
I have found someone with eyes that are a little brighter and more captivating than yours
I found a heart just a little bit truer
I've found someone with a heart that is more genuine and faithful than yours
How can I forget the hours that I worried through
I can't forget the times I spent worrying and thinking about our relationship
Wondering the live long day just what next thing to do?
I spent whole days wondering what to do about our situation
In those days you never thought anything of me
You didn't care about me back then
But the slave that was all yours and now at last is free
I used to be completely devoted to you, but now I am finally free of that hold you had on me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GUS ARNHEIM, ARTHUR FREED, ABE LYMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind