When Rita Hayworth returned to work in Hollywood from a failed European marriage, she was determined to do her own singing in motion pictures. Morris Stoloff told me than he pieced together something like 34 tracks of Rita singing "I've Been Kissed Before" but the composite lacked punch because Rita could not sustain notes well for the big finish. Rita also had a strange way of prouncing words when she sang. "April" became "Apreel" for example.
Joan (aka Jo Ann) was hired not only for her great way with a song but also because she had a slight lisp as did Rita. She'd dubbed for Charlotte Austin in a Frankie Laine film and later dubbed for Esther Williams in JUPITER'S DARLING, June Allyson in THE OPPOSITE SEX ("A Perfect Love" only), May Wynn in CAINE MUTINY, Gloria Grahame in NAKED ALIBI and Susan Kohner in IMITATION OF LIFE. But she was primarily hired to dub for Rita in AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD, MISS SADIE THOMPSON, PAL JOEY and an unused track for FIRE DOWN BELOW. She did lots of V-disks with Les, radio with Bob Hope in 51-53. Record collectors and radio buffs collect these tracks with Les Brown.
In SADIE, the character was not supposed to be a very good singer, so Jo Ann threw away all the notes using a very carefree approach in recording the soundtrack. When Columbia VP in charge of production, Harry Cohn, heard the tracks he said: "Listen, I'm paying for singers, I want singing." All the soundtracks were remade. Columbia Pictures paid Jo Ann more than Metro paid for dubbers, $500 per song whether used or not because the studio never revealed the musical numbers were dubbed. Metro paid less for singers like Anita Ellis because they got album credit.
I believe Jo Ann remained with Les Brown until he retired, perhaps 1980. She mentioned she had scoliosis of the spine (curvature)but I do not know if that hasented her retirement. Jo Ann lived in North Hollywood and passed away in 2001 in her late '70's. Adorable lady with absolutely no ego.
Bewitched
Jo Ann Greer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a fool can have her charms
I'm in love and don't I show it
Like a babe in arms
Love's the same old sad sensation
Lately, I've not slept a wink
Since this half-pint imitation
I'm wild again, beguiled again
A simpering, whimpering child again
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
Love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
Lost my heart, but what of it?
She is cold, I agree
She can laugh, but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
And long for the day when I'll cling to her
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
The song "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" by Jo Ann Greer is a heartfelt expression of love and longing, with a tinge of sadness and frustration. The singer is hopelessly in love with a woman who, despite being a "fool", has a magnetic charm that has captivated the singer. He is so in love that he is like a "babe in arms", vulnerable and helpless. He has lost sleep and is tormented by his feelings for her. He is wild, beguiled, and whimsical, like a child who has fallen under a spell. He is bewitched, bothered, and bewildered by her.
The singer acknowledges that he is aware that the woman he loves is cold and can be indifferent to his feelings. He is aware that she can laugh at him and the situation, but he still loves her. He is determined to sing to her, bring spring to her, and cling to her, even if the love might be one-sided. He is bewitched, bothered, and bewildered, but he cannot get her out of his mind.
Overall, the lyrics express a sense of longing, desire, and the power of love to captivate and control someone's life.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a fool and don't I know it
I am aware that she is foolish
But a fool can have her charms
Even though she's foolish, she can still be charming
I'm in love and don't I show it
I am in love with her and it is evident in my actions
Like a babe in arms
I feel like a helpless infant in her presence
Love's the same old sad sensation
Love always feels the same, and it is often melancholic
Lately, I've not slept a wink
I have been unable to sleep recently
Since this half-pint imitation
Because of this small and inferior copy of a woman
Put me on the blink
She has left me feeling confused and overwhelmed
I'm wild again, beguiled again
I am experiencing intense emotions and feeling captivated
A simpering, whimpering child again
I revert back to behaving like a helpless child
Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I
I am enchanted, troubled, and confused by her
Couldn't sleep and wouldn't sleep
I am unable and unwilling to sleep
Love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
My love for her is keeping me awake and alert
Lost my heart, but what of it?
I have given her my heart, but it doesn't matter
She is cold, I agree
I understand that she is distant and unemotional
She can laugh, but I love it
Even though she finds my situation humorous, I find it endearing
Although the laugh's on me
I am the one who is being ridiculed or taken advantage of in this situation
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
I will try to charm her and make her happy
And long for the day when I'll cling to her
I am desperate for physical and emotional attachment to her
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I
I am completely charmed, confused, and emotionally distressed by her
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.