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).
Melancholy Lullaby
Helen O'connell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming from a troubled sky,
Winging through the clinging vine
Right into this heart of mine.
Melancholy lullaby,
Listen to the night wind sigh,
How can I expect to sleep
Your love has cooled
From flame to ice,
And I've been fooled
Into a fool's paradise!
Hear the music of the rain
Beating on my window pane;
Wish that I could say goodbye
To my melancholy lullaby.
From flame to ice,
And I've been fooled
Into a fool's paradise!
Hear the music of the rain
Beating on my window pane;
Wish that I could say goodbye
To my melancholy lullaby.
The lyrics of "Melancholy Lullaby" by Helen O'Connell paint a vivid picture of heartbreak and despair. The melancholic melody and slow, soothing tempo of the song underscore the lyrics' deep sense of longing and regret. The first verse sets the stage for the song, describing the melancholy lullaby as coming from a troubled sky, winding its way through the clinging vine right into the singer's heart. The second verse continues the theme of longing and hopelessness, with the singer unable to sleep and weeping. The third verse hits home the message of lost love and dashed expectations, with the singer realizing that her love has cooled from flame to ice and that she has been fooled into believing in a happiness that was never possible. Finally, the chorus returns, with the singer hearing the music of the rain beating on her window pane, wishing that she could say goodbye to her melancholy lullaby and the heartbreak it represents.
Line by Line Meaning
Melancholy lullaby,
A sad and soothing song that puts one to sleep
Coming from a troubled sky,
The song is being sung to soothe the troubles and sorrows from within the heart and mind of the singer
Winging through the clinging vine
The melody is finding its way through the difficulties of life, clinging onto hope and love
Right into this heart of mine.
The song is entering deep into the soul of the singer, providing some solace and comfort
Listen to the night wind sigh,
The night is not peaceful, and the wind is heavy with sadness
How can I expect to sleep
The pain in the singer's heart is making it difficult to rest
When I lay me down to weep?
The sadness is overwhelming, and the singer feels like crying before sleeping
Your love has cooled
The affection and passion in the relationship is gone
From flame to ice,
The once-hot love has become emotionless, cold and distant
And I've been fooled
The singer has been deceived or misguided in love
Into a fool's paradise!
The singer was living in unrealistic, imaginary world of love, and was not aware of the true feelings of the partner
Hear the music of the rain
The sound of the rain is like music to the ears of the singer
Beating on my window pane;
The heavy raindrops are hitting the window pane, creating an ambiance of sadness and solitude
Wish that I could say goodbye
The singer wants to bid farewell to the sadness and pain caused by unrequited love
To my melancholy lullaby.
The sadness has become a familiar melody, like a lullaby, insomuch that the singer wishes to be rid of it.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind