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".
Just Because
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
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Just because you think you're so pretty,
And just because your momma thinks you're hot,
Well, just because you think you've got something
That no other girl has got,
You've caused me to spend all my money.
You laughed and called me old Santa Claus.
Well, I'm telling you,
Because, well well, just because.
Well, well, well,
There'll come a time when you'll be lonesome
And there'll come a time when you'll be blue.
Well, there'll come a time when old Santa
He won't pay your bills for you.
You've caused me to lose all my women
And now, now you say we are through.
Well, I'm telling you
Baby, I was through with you
A long long time ago.
Well, just because you think you're so pretty
And just because your mama thinks you're the hottest thing in town
Well, just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got,
You've caused me to spend all of my money.
Honey, you laughed and called me your old Santa Claus.
Well, I'm telling you I'm through with you
Because, well well, just because.
These lyrics are about a man who has had enough of a woman who thinks she's better than everyone else just because she's pretty and her mother dotes on her. He's spent all his money on her, and she's laughed at him for being like "Old Santa Claus," always giving her gifts and attention. The man is warning the woman that one day she'll be alone and blue, and that he won't be there to pay her bills for her. She's made him lose other women in his life, and he's completely done with her. He's telling her that just because she thinks she's special doesn't mean she can treat people poorly, and that it's time for him to move on from her.
Overall, this song is a warning against being shallow and self-centered. The woman in the song thinks she's above everyone else just because of her looks and her mother's adoration, but the man has finally had enough of her attitude. The song is a reminder that it's important to treat people with kindness and respect, no matter what you look like or who your family is.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, well, well,
An expression of contemplation or surprise.
Just because you think you're so pretty,
You believe you are attractive and that you always deserve everyone's attention.
And just because your momma thinks you're hot,
Your mother thinks you're amazing and better than everyone else.
Well, just because you think you've got something
You think you have a special quality that no one else has.
That no other girl has got,
You believe that you possess a particular set of qualities that no other woman possesses.
You've caused me to spend all my money.
Your presence has forced me to spend all of my resources on you.
You laughed and called me old Santa Claus.
You ridiculed me and compared me to Santa Claus, who always gives presents without receiving anything in return.
Well, I'm telling you,
I'm informing you, and this is a warning.
Baby, I'm through with you.
I'm no longer interested in you, and I'm ending our relationship.
Because, well well, just because.
The reason for my decision is simply that you were taking advantage of me.
There'll come a time when you'll be lonesome
At some point in the future, you'll feel alone and left out.
And there'll come a time when you'll be blue.
You will feel depressed and sad.
Well, there'll come a time when old Santa
There will be a time where even Santa won't help you.
He won't pay your bills for you.
Even Santa won't pay your bills or expenses for you.
You've caused me to lose all my women
You're the reason why I lost all of the women in my life.
And now, now you say we are through.
Even though you caused all of our problems, you're saying it's over now?
Well, I'm telling you
Again, I'm informing you and warning you.
Baby, I was through with you
I had already ended our relationship a long time ago.
A long long time ago.
It has been a very long time since I was interested in you.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD PRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind