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".
Independent
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the ties that bind I've bid goodbye.
I'm the spirit of "Seventy-six" complete with drum and fife.
Since my personal Fourth of July.
Independent, self sufficient, got nobody to rely on.
Independent, self reliant, got shoulder I can cry on.
Now I'm livin', I'm on my own.
I don't need anyone
And no one needs me.
No need for anyone to help me mix martinis,
Roast the wienies, bake the blinis, now that I'm free.
Self sufficient, self supporting, trav'lin' light and flying solo,
Every day is Independence Day,
Hooray! Free and easy, blithe and breezy, going it alone,
I'm independent and on my own.
Independent, self sufficient, got nobody to rely on.
Independent, self reliant, got shoulder I can cry on.
Now I'm livin', I'm on my own.
Going it alone.
I don't need anyone
And no one needs me.
No need for anyone to help me mix martinis,
Roast the wienies, bake the blinis, now that I'm free.
Self sufficient, self supporting, trav'lin' light and flying solo,
Every day is Independence Day,
Hooray! Free and easy, blithe and breezy, going it alone,
I'm independent and on my own.
The lyrics in Rosemary Clooney's song "Independent" celebrate the freedom of living alone and not relying on anyone else for support. The singer revels in her self-sufficiency and self-reliance, feeling like the spirit of the American Revolution with her "drum and fife." She proclaims that she doesn't need anyone else and that no one needs her, showing a contentment with her own company. This is further emphasized by referencing common household tasks, like mixing martinis or roasting wieners, that she can now do by herself.
This song reflects a certain feminist ethos of independence and self-reliance that was gaining popularity in the 1960s when the song was released. The lyrics suggest that women can be happy and fulfilled on their own, without needing a man to provide for or support them. It also highlights the freedom that comes with being single and not being tied down by obligations or expectations. Overall, the song celebrates the joys of being independent and self-sufficient, encouraging listeners to cherish their autonomy.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm enjoying the delights of the solitary life.
I am finding pleasure in living alone.
To the ties that bind I've bid goodbye.
I have ended my close relationships with others.
I'm the spirit of "Seventy-six" complete with drum and fife.
I am akin to the patriotic spirit of the USA's founding, with music to match.
Since my personal Fourth of July.
Since the moment I broke free and started living for myself.
Independent, self sufficient, got nobody to rely on.
I am self-reliant and need no one else for support.
Independent, self reliant, got shoulder I can cry on.
I am still independent, but also know I can turn to a friend for help if necessary.
Now I'm livin', I'm on my own.
Going it alone.
Now I am living my life solo and self-dependent.
I don't need anyone
And no one needs me.
I am content with living independently and do not require anyone else's help or attention, nor do they need mine.
No need for anyone to help me mix martinis,
Roast the wienies, bake the blinis, now that I'm free.
I am capable of completing even mundane tasks by myself.
Self sufficient, self supporting, trav'lin' light and flying solo,
I am entirely capable of living and thriving by myself.
Every day is Independence Day,
Hooray! Free and easy, blithe and breezy, going it alone,
I celebrate my freedom and independence daily, living life with ease and happiness without the need for others.
I'm independent and on my own.
I live independently and successfully on my own.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADOLPH GREEN, BETTY COMDEN, JULE STYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nancy Desch
My mom used to put this on her hi fi while ironing.
Clem Viney
@Nancy Desch Bit of a memory keepsake I would say Nancy. Bit like an early version of I am woman not the song just the meaning.😀😀😀
Nancy Desch
@Clem Viney And I still have this 45 out of my mother's collection.
Clem Viney
Hi Nancy, It's amazing how we remember some of these old songs. Thanks for listening to my channel.
David Buckley
Song is from Broadway play "Bells are Ringing". I don't think it ever made it to the movie. The character Dean Martin played would have sung it. "A" side of this Clooney single was "Mangos".
Clem Viney
Hi David thank's for the background, I love the information, on these songs, I did also put Mangos on when I put this on, I generally put both sides of the singles on, as a lot of my friends like to hear the fips, once again thanks.