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).
The Bad Humor Man
Helen O'connell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"No, it's not John Silver!".
"Well, what is is then?".
"It's the bad humor man, that's me, get outa here!".
"No, it's not John Silver, get outa here!".
"well I don't know, it sure sounds like John Silver to me!".
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
It's the bad humor man!
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
With a frown on his pan!
Oh, he hates his job and he hates his beat,
He hates everyone in the street!
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
And he goes on his way;
With his wagon rumbling,
He keeps grumbling,
"Gee, it's a nasty day!".
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
It's the bad humor man!
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
With a frown on his pan!
He's a gloomy Gus and a grouch on wheels,
He's one of America's foremost heels!
So he sings "Tingaling, tingaling!",
And he goes on his way;
With his wagon rumbling,
He keeps grumbling,
"Gee, it's a nasty day!".
The song "The Bad Humor Man" by Helen O'Connell tells the story of a man who drives an ice cream truck, but has a terrible disposition. The lyrics begin with a dialogue between the singer and the man in the ice cream truck. The singer asks the man if he is John Silver, but the ice cream man responds that he is the bad humor man. The ice cream man then complains about his job and everyone in the street. The chorus describes the sound of the ice cream truck bells ringing as "Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!" and reinforces the idea that the bad humor man is always frowning.
The lyrics suggest that the bad humor man is someone who doesn't enjoy or appreciate his work. Perhaps he feels that selling ice cream is beneath him, or maybe he's just having a bad day. Either way, the song paints a picture of someone who is struggling to find joy in their work and who is making those around him miserable with his negative attitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Pardon me, is this John Silver
Excuse me, are you John Silver
"No, it's not John Silver!".
"No, I am not John Silver".
"Well, what is is then?"
"Then who are you?"
"It's the bad humor man, that's me, get outa here!".
"I am the bad humor man and I don't want you here!".
"You're sure this isn't John Silver?"
"Are you absolutely certain that you're not John Silver?"
"No, it's not John Silver, get outa here!".
"No, I am not John Silver. Please leave now!".
"well I don't know, it sure sounds like John Silver to me!".
"I'm not convinced. You still sound like John Silver to me!".
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
It's the bad humor man!
"Hear that jingling bell? That's me, the notorious bad humor man!".
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
With a frown on his pan!
"Listen to the jingling of my bell. My face is set in a frown!".
Oh, he hates his job and he hates his beat,
He hates everyone in the street!
He detests his work and his assigned territory. He bears malice towards the people he encounters in the street!
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
And he goes on his way;
With his wagon rumbling,
He keeps grumbling,
"Gee, it's a nasty day!".
"As I continue my journey, my wagon rumbles and I don't stop complaining about the unpleasant weather!".
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
It's the bad humor man!
"Hear that jingling bell? That's me, the notorious bad humor man!".
"Tingaling, tingaling, tingaling!",
With a frown on his pan!
"Listen to the jingling of my bell. My face is set in a frown!".
He's a gloomy Gus and a grouch on wheels,
He's one of America's foremost heels!
He's a very unpleasant person to be around and he's always unhappy. He's considered one of the worst people in the United States!
So he sings "Tingaling, tingaling!",
And he goes on his way;
With his wagon rumbling,
He keeps grumbling,
"Gee, it's a nasty day!".
He continues to sing his tune as he travels. His wagon is still making noise, and he's still complaining about the weather!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY MCHUGH, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Trombonology Erstwhile
Love this arrangement and, of course, Helen's winning vocal. ... No it's not John Silver!
James G
My dad had this 78 among many but this one stands out. I remember when I heard it in 1955
George Hewett
Wonderful! Is this Jimmy Dorsey’s band since Helen is the vocalist?
George Hewett
Croonr1 I was originally listening on the YouTube phone app and there is no info visible on the YouTube app version, thus my question. When I accessed the clip on YouTube just now, on THAT version I can see the comment about Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestra.
Croonr1
Read the info