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).
One Sweet Letter from You
Helen O'connell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I wonder where you are tonight
Not one word have I heard
If you think of me, why don't you write?
Oh, dear, how I need one sweet letter from you
How I'd love to read one sweet letter from you
You know that you left me so worried and blue
Though it's not fair, and you don't care for me dearly
Drop me a line, if you just sign, 'Yours sincerely'
You know that I'm praying the night and day through
Just hoping I'll get one sweet letter from you
Mail for Missus Jones
Missus Jones don't need it
Missus Jones is happy all the day
Mail for Missus Brown
Missus Brown don't read it
Opens them and throws them right away
Mail man rings, then he sings
"Got some letters for you"
Here's what he brings
Mail for the baker
My dress maker
Word from the landlord, too
I get letters from ev'rybody
Not a single word from you
Here's what to do, even though you never crave me
And though you lie, say that you cry, it might save me
You know that I'm praying the night and day through
Just hoping I'll get one sweet letter from you
Since you're gone, I keep on
Feeling just as sorry as can be
I just wrote you a note
I'd be happy if you'd answer me
Oh, dear, how I need one sweet letter from you
How I'd love to read one sweet letter from you
You know that you left me so worried and blue
I always keep singing, oh, what'll I do
Though it's not fair, and you don't care for me dearly
Drop me a line, if you just sign, 'Yours sincerely'
You know that I'm praying the night and day through
Just hoping I'll get one sweet letter from you
Helen O'Connell's One Sweet Letter from You is a sweet serenade about the feeling of loneliness that comes with waiting on a letter from a loved one. The song opens with the singer expressing her sadness, as she wonders where her lover may be at that moment, and why they haven't sent her a letter yet. She pleads for her lover to drop her a line and display some form of love or care for her, even if they don't have any true feelings towards her. She believes that receiving a letter would fill her with joy, and she would love nothing more than to read a sweet message from the person she loves. She even goes as far as saying that she is praying day and night, hoping for a sweet letter from them.
The second verse starts with a little humorous anecdote of how Missus Jones and Missus Brown don't give a damn about their mail, and they don't even consider opening them. The singer then highlights how she gets letters from everyone else, including the baker, dressmaker, and even the landlord, but not a single word from the one person she longs to hear from. The song then returns to the chorus, where the singer continues to beseech her lover for a sweet letter, saying that she just wrote a note and would be happy if they could answer her.
In conclusion, the song beautifully captures the feeling of the agony that comes with waiting for a loved one to offer some form of validation or love. It showcases how desperate and sad someone becomes when they feel ignored or forgotten. The singer's plea in wanting just one sweet letter is relatable and hits a chord with anyone who has experienced unrequited love or yearned for someone's affection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so blue, lonesome, too
I am deeply sad and lonely
And I wonder where you are tonight
I am curious about your whereabouts, as you are not here with me
Not one word have I heard
I have not received any communication from you
If you think of me, why don't you write?
If you have any thoughts of me, please put them in writing and send them to me
Oh, dear, how I need one sweet letter from you
I crave a loving message from you that will ease my sadness
How I'd love to read one sweet letter from you
I truly desire to receive a heartwarming letter from you
You know that you left me so worried and blue
You are aware that your absence has caused me great worry and sadness
I always keep singing, oh, what'll I do
I often find myself singing, wondering what I can do to feel better
Though it's not fair, and you don't care for me dearly
Even though it may not be right, and you do not value me highly
Drop me a line, if you just sign, 'Yours sincerely'
Please write to me, and conclude with the words 'Yours sincerely'
Mail for Missus Jones
Missus Jones don't need it
Missus Jones is happy all the day
Mail for Missus Brown
Missus Brown don't read it
Opens them and throws them right away
Mail man rings, then he sings
"Got some letters for you"
Here's what he brings
Mail for the baker
My dress maker
Word from the landlord, too
I get letters from ev'rybody
Not a single word from you
The mailman brings letters for others, but I have not received any from you
Here's what to do, even though you never crave me
Here is what you can do, even if you do not feel strongly about me
And though you lie, say that you cry, it might save me
Even if you have to pretend that you are upset and shed tears, it would mean a lot to me
Since you're gone, I keep on
Feeling just as sorry as can be
Since you left, I have been continuously feeling extremely depressed
I just wrote you a note
I'd be happy if you'd answer me
I have written a letter to you, and I would be delighted if you replied
Just hoping I'll get one sweet letter from you
I am yearning for a single letter from you, in the hopes that it will make me feel better
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: HARRY WARREN, LEW BROWN, SIDNEY CLARE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John M
Helen was a one of a kind special vocalist. She made it even better by her phrasing and facial expressions.....and oh, those dimples!
Charly Wobershalek
Thanks a million for all your invaluable Helen O'Connell uploads!
Music is.
Oh it's good stuff buddy....that I'm now discovering at the age of 48. Never much into this stuff until this past year. A little drinky poo, mixed with Helen & Jimmy Dorsey Band in my headphones after work. As I work nights and this stuff is so soothing and calming. LOVE this music. Love discovering it too. The uploaders are awesome. Thank you for allowing me to discover these great sounds. Without you I never would have!
J Stoller
Amazing ensemble performance.
Carl Muench
Saw her on stage in Portland in the 60's. Lovely.
DealReal12
Love love love this!
Music is.
Anything Dorsey and Helen works for me!
bigbandrenaissance
Helen O’Connell / One Sweet Letter From You (1939) / w/The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra
One of Helen O’Connell’s great early jazz vocals. She was great with the romantic tunes such as Green Eyes, Embraceable You, and You Made Me Love You, but just as good with a laid back jazz vocal. Jimmy Dorsey offers a great 20s-style clarinet solo. Great overall arrangement for the band. Recorded in the summer of 1939.
Nora Curran
I love this song and i love her voice and i wish that lived at that time Wish theyd start that beutiful music all over
LotusCharm
A fine effort but I’m afraid Helen isn’t a patch on Ethel Waters