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".
Invitation
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somehow it seems
We've shed our dream but we're
Time after time in a room full of strangers
Out of the blue, suddenly you were there
Wherever I go you're the glow of temptation,
Glancing my way in the grey of the dawn
Then you are gone
Where oh where have you gone
How long must I live in a world of illusion
Be where you are so near yet so far, apart
Hoping you'll say with a sweet invitation
Where have you been, darling come in
Into my heart
The song "Invitation" by Rosemary Clooney tells a story of a strange, yet compelling attraction towards someone who keeps appearing out of the blue, despite having lost their dream with that person long ago. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a room full of strangers, but finds themselves drawn to this one person with a smile that's like an invitation she can't resist. The glow of temptation is ever-present, even in the grey of dawn, but just as suddenly as this person appears, they are suddenly gone. The singer is left to wonder where this person has gone, and how long they must live in a world of illusion, always hoping for a sweet invitation to come into their heart.
Line by Line Meaning
You and your smile hold a strange invitation
Your smile captivates me in a way that is unfamiliar and peculiar.
Somehow it seems
I cannot explain why, but it feels like something has changed between us.
We've shed our dream but we're
Our shared dream may be lost, but we still have a connection.
Time after time in a room full of strangers
We keep running into each other unexpectedly in unfamiliar settings.
Out of the blue, suddenly you were there
You appeared unexpectedly without warning.
Wherever I go you're the glow of temptation
I can't escape the allure of your presence and its effect on me.
Glancing my way in the grey of the dawn
Even in the early hours of the day, you catch my eye and hold my attention.
And always your smile holds that strange invitation
Your smile continues to draw me in, even if I don't fully understand why.
Then you are gone
You always seem to disappear as quickly and unexpectedly as you appear.
Where oh where have you gone
I can't help but wonder where you've gone and when I'll see you again.
How long must I live in a world of illusion
I feel like I'm living in a fantasy, wondering if my feelings are reciprocated or real.
Be where you are so near yet so far, apart
We are close geographically, yet emotionally distant.
Hoping you'll say with a sweet invitation
I'm holding out for a sign that you feel the same way, and that there is hope for something more.
Where have you been, darling come in
I want you to understand the impact you have on me, and for us to explore a relationship together.
Into my heart
I want you to be a meaningful part of my life and my future.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
L M
The alchemy of Rosemary's velvet voice, her flawless interpretation plus Nelson Riddle's lush orchestration= pure, transcendent ecstacy.
mark gatti
A “noir” masterpiece—full of mystery, elegance and romance—it captures a brief, vibrant mood in our last century. Rosemary is perfect, as usual.
lray1234
I’m always looking for noir songs. Especially vocals.
Randall Riley
Magnificent-- and haunting as hell. Rosemary and Nelson are perfection here.
timmo491
The complexity of this song is really superb. Thats what makes it such a great instrumental jazz standard too. Lovely version.
Ralph Ellectual
One of the two best she ever sung, and the definitive lyric version.
lray1234
What is the other best she sang?
Ralph Ellectual
@lray1234 "Find the Way", also on the LOVE album, I think. This is about the sad ending of a relationship, maybe the saddest song of its kind. This is the best vocal version I've heard. The best instrumental interpretation is Coltrane's.
Bud Bishop
Hard to believe that so few have listened to this masterful rendition of a most lovely song. Thanks for posting.
Phillip Primrose
Bud Bishop You're Welcome Glad you Enjoyed it!