She was born Leslie Claire Margaret Caron in Boulogne-Billancourt, France to Claude Caron (French chemist) and Margaret Petit (American dancer). Caron was prepared for a performing career from childhood by her mother. Caron's mother briefly made it to Broadway, but gave up her career for marriage, and eventually took her own life.
After dancing in the Ballets de Champs Elysses for three years, her talent as a dancer had been already noticed (in 1946) by Gene Kelly in Roland Petit's ballet on the theme of Orpheus. But neither Kelly or Petit could meet with her at the end of the show because Caron's mother used to take her immediately away.
The famed dancer chose her to appear opposite him in the classic 1951 musical film An American in Paris. This led to a long-term MGM contract and a string of films: The Glass Slipper (1954), Gaby (1956).
She went on to star in Daddy Long Legs with Fred Astaire, Gigi with Louis Jourdan and Maurice Chevalier, and Lili. She wanted to create her costumes for Daddy Long Legs (1955) by herself. Fred Astaire told her: "OK, but no feather, please", remembering the troubles he had gotten because of some too complicated dresses worn by Ginger Rogers.
In 1953, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starring role in Lili. In 1963, she was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in The L-Shaped Room. She made numerous Hollywood musicals, and also worked often in European films.
Her later film assignments included; slapping Cary Grant (who slapped her back) in Father Goose, Ken Russell's Valentino (1977), in the role of silent-screen legend Alla Nazimova; and Louis Malle's Damage (1992).
She continues to act, appearing in the acclaimed film Chocolat. She is one of the few leading ladies (or actors of any type for that matter) from the classic era of MGM musicals who is still active in film. Her recent films include Funny Bones with Jerry Lewis and Oliver Platt and Le Divorce with Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts.
Hi-Lili Hi-Lo
Leslie Caron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On every tree there sits a bird, and ev'ryone I ever heard
Could break my heart without a word singing a song of love
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know
A song of love is a sad song, for I have loved and it's so
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A tear for him, a tear for me, A tear for the love he swore
A tear for him and one for me, and one for under the cedar tree
And one for where ever my love my be, and then I shall weep no more
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know
A song of love is a sad song, for I have loved and it's so
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Tomorrow i'll probably love again, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Leslie Caron’s "Hi Lili Hi Lo" is a melancholic song about the pain of lost love, the sadness of being alone and the bittersweet memories that come with it. The imagery of the song describes the beauty of nature surrounding the singer, which contrasts with the sorrowful lyrics. The first stanza describes how the singer hears the birds singing their love songs, but instead of feeling uplifted or hopeful, the songs instead echo the pain and loneliness the singer feels.
The chorus states the central theme of the song— that love, while beautiful, can also be incredibly sad. This is demonstrated through the use of the phrase "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo," which sounds almost like a mournful chant. The next few lines reflect on the past, telling of how the singer has previously loved and lost before. The final line in the chorus, "Tomorrow I'll probably love again," is tinged with a sense of resignation and acceptance, indicating that even though love may be painful, it may still be sought after.
The third section of the song brings in the theme of tears and mourning, the singer's tears and those of lost love. The final lines, "and then I shall weep no more," suggest that with time and acceptance, the wounds of lost love can eventually heal, but the scars remain.
Overall, "Hi Lili Hi Lo" is a poignant and haunting song about the pain and beauty of love, and the hope and despair that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
On every tree there sits a bird, singing a song of love
There are birds on every tree, each one singing a love song. These songs have the power to break my heart without any words.
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Love songs are often sad and full of woe, as I know firsthand from my experiences with love.
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Amidst the rain, I sit by the window, contemplating my life and past loves.
Tomorrow I'll probably love again, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Despite the heartbreak that comes with love, tomorrow is a new day and I may fall in love once again.
A tear for him, a tear for me, A tear for the love he swore
I shed tears for both him and myself, and for the love that he promised but could not fulfill.
And one for where ever my love my be, and then I shall weep no more
I shed one more tear for wherever my love may be, and after that, I will cry no more.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bronislaw Kaper, Helen Deutsch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gabriela Ríos
Mi película preferida de mi infancia.Hermosa!!!
Kate Ferdon
When I was little, before I could even speak in full sentences, I'd ask my dad to play this for me nearly every day. Thanks for posting, I'm glad to have found it again.
Pilar Casares García
¡Ternura!
Moribus & Artibus
WHAT?!??!!? I LOVE THIS SONG TO DEATH!! How the hell does it have less than 1 million views Its so melodic and charming!
Jim Botta
The sweetest film I ever saw- My parents took us to see it when I was young and it really affected me as a kid. Especially the ending.
brian miller
same here
CrazyAboutTiffanys18
Lili is literally the most adorable film I have ever seen! I was lucky enough to catch it on tv and record it on DVD... Absolutely love this song!!
maria alejandra aguilar
Se me caen las lágrimas de ver este fragmento del film.Es mi infancia todavía viva,mi madre joven y felíz cantándome esta canción y yo siguiéndola,es un tiempo en que hasta los grandes compartían su inocencia con los que éramos aún niños!
Kendra R
Saw this the first time in high school and used to sing it to my little sister. Now we can't wait for her daughter to be old enough to enjoy it! Yes...this movie needs to be posted!
marianne836022
My mum made me watch this movie many years ago, and even now I find myself singing this song when I´m alone. Thank for posting it!!