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 for the Wonder
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 Helen O'Connell's "I Cried For You" tell a story of heartbreak, self-awareness, and empowerment. The opening lines recall a time when the singer was deeply affected by hurtful words from a lover, leading to sleepless nights and broken promises. The singer reflects on how their former lover never thought much of them and treated them like a slave. However, the singer has moved past their sorrowful past and found someone better, with "two eyes just a little bit bluer" and "a heart just a little bit truer."
As we listen to the chorus, we can feel the singer's confidence and newfound sense of self-worth. They sing, "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." The tone indicates that the singer has moved past the relationship and is now in a position of power, with their former lover experiencing what they once felt.
Overall, "I Cried For You" is a powerful song about moving on from heartbreak and finding strength in oneself. The lyrics capture the emotional journey of coming to terms with a painful past and the eventual knowledge that we can rise above it.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember other days how I used to weep
I recall a time when I would cry over the hurtful things you would say to me.
Over things you said to me; I couldn't even sleep
Your words would keep me up at night, unable to find any rest or peace.
You forgot your promises, every single vow
You didn't keep your word to me, breaking every promise you ever made.
All you did was laugh at me, but things are different now
You used to mock and belittle me, but the tables have turned and now things have changed.
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
I shed tears for you before, but now it's your turn to feel the pain and heartbreak that I once did.
Every road has a turning
Life is full of twists and turns, and nothing ever stays the same.
That's one thing you're learning
You're starting to realize this fact for yourself.
I cried for you; what a fool I used to be
In the past, I was foolish to waste so many tears and so much time on someone who didn't deserve it.
Now I found two eyes just a little bit bluer
But now I've found someone new whose eyes are even more beautiful than yours were.
I found a heart just a little bit truer
And that person has a heart that is even more genuine and loving than yours ever was.
I cried for you; now it's your turn to cry over me
So now it's your turn to feel the pain of loss and regret, while I move on to a brighter future without you.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed, Abe Lyman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind