Clooney's first recordings, in May 1946, were for Columbia Records. She sang with Tony Pastor's big band. Clooney continued working with the Pastor band until 1949, making her last recording with the band in May of that year and her first as a solo artist a month later, still for Columbia.
She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit Come On-a My House written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian (better known as David Seville, the father figure of Alvin and the Chipmunks), which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" (a cover version of the Italian song Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina by Alberto Rabagliati), "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There" and "This Ole House", although she had success as a jazz vocalist. Clooney's career languished in the 1960s, partly due to problems related to depression and drug addiction, but revived in 1977, when her White Christmas co-star Bing Crosby asked her to appear with him at a show marking his 50th anniversary in show business. She continued recording until her death in 2002. She was the aunt of Academy Award winning actor George Clooney; mother-in-law of singer Debby Boone; and sister to former television personality Nick Clooney. She was the ex-wife of Jose Ferrer; mother of actor Miguel Ferrer
Clooney was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2001. Around this time, she gave her last concert, in Hawaii, backed by the Honolulu Symphony Pops; her last song was "God Bless America".
April in Paris
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chestnuts in blossom,
Holiday tables,
Under the trees.
April in Paris,
This is a feeling,
No one can ever reprise.
Never met it face to face,
I never knew my heart could sing,
Never missed a warm embrace,
"Til April in Paris,
Whom can I turn to?
What have you done to my heart?
In the song "April in Paris," Rosemary Clooney paints a beautiful picture of the city in the springtime. She opens with the lines "April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom, holiday tables, under the trees." These lyrics vividly depict the sight of blooming trees and people enjoying meals outside in the warm breeze. The second verse speaks to the emotional impact of the season: "I never knew the charm of Spring, never met it face to face/I never knew my heart could sing, never missed a warm embrace." Here, Clooney suggests that April in Paris is not just a beautiful time of year, but it also awakens powerful feelings of joy and love. This is further emphasized in the final lines of the song: "Whom can I turn to? What have you done to my heart?" These lyrics suggest that the experience of April in Paris has had a profound effect on the singer, perhaps even changing her perspective on love and life.
Line by Line Meaning
April in Paris,
The arrival of April and the beauty of Paris together can bring an inexplicable joy.
Chestnuts in blossom,
The trees' alluring beauty with blooming chestnuts can take anyone's breath away.
Holiday tables,
Tables decorated with festive meals create a welcoming atmosphere.
Under the trees.
Sitting under the trees can bring one closer to nature's charm and serenity.
April in Paris,
The second line is repeated to emphasize the magical effect of Paris in April
This is a feeling,
The experience of April in Paris evokes emotions that are indescribable in words
No one can ever reprise.
The unique experience of April in Paris can never be replicated, and the memory will forever be cherished.
I never knew the charm of Spring,
The singer had never fully appreciated the beauty of the season of Spring.
Never met it face to face,
The singer had never truly experienced the season of Spring firsthand.
I never knew my heart could sing,
The singer had never felt such profound happiness that made their heart sing.
Never missed a warm embrace,
The singer had never yearned for a warm, affectionate embrace before.
'Til April in Paris,
The singer discovered this newfound joy upon experiencing April in Paris.
Whom can I turn to?
The singer is so enamored with the feeling that they question who can they share it with.
What have you done to my heart?
The singer is overwhelmed by the profound impact of April in Paris on their heart and emotions.
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: E. Y. HARBURG, VERNON DUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind