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".
Love Is Here To Stay
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not for a year but ever and a day
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies and in time may go.
But oh my dear our love is here to stay.
Together we're going a long long way.
They're only made of clay.
But our love is here to stay
In time the Rockies may crumble Gibraltar may tumble
They're only made of clay.
But our love is here,
Our love is here,
Our love is here to stay.
The lyrics to "Love Is Here to Stay" are a declaration of enduring love. The lines, "Not for a year but ever and a day / Together we're going a long long way," suggest that the love being expressed in the song is not just a passing fancy, but a deep and abiding commitment. The second stanza reinforces this idea by highlighting the ephemeral nature of many cultural touchstones, like "the radio and the telephone and the movies that we know." These things may come and go, but the singer's love is permanent.
The third stanza uses metaphor to further drive home the idea of love's durability. Even physical landmarks like the Rockies and Gibraltar may crumble, but the love that the singer shares with their partner will endure. The repetition of the phrase "our love is here to stay" underscores this point and creates a sense of conviction and determination.
Overall, the lyrics to "Love Is Here to Stay" are a testament to the idea that true love endures through the ups and downs of life. The song celebrates the idea that love is a constant, something that remains even as other things in the world change and evolve.
Line by Line Meaning
It's very clear, our love is here to stay.
Our love is strong and enduring.
Not for a year but ever and a day
Our love is not a passing phase, but permanent.
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
The media we consume may come and go, but our love remains.
May just be passing fancies and in time may go.
Other things in life may be temporary, but our love is not.
But oh my dear our love is here to stay.
Our love is firmly established and will endure.
Together we're going a long long way.
Our love is going to last for a long, long time.
In time the Rockies may crumble Gibraltar may tumble
Even if the world around us changes, our love will stay strong.
They're only made of clay.
The physical world is temporary and can change, but our love is eternal.
But our love is here to stay
Our love is permanent and enduring.
Our love is here,
Our love is present and enduring.
Our love is here to stay.
Our love is permanent and will last forever.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Carbery
“Love Is Here to Stay” was the last musical composition George
Gershwin completed before his death on July 11, 1937. Ira Gershwin wrote
the words after George's death as a tribute to his brother’s passing.
Although George had not initially written a verse for the song, he did
have an idea for it that both Ira and pianist Oscar Levant had heard prior to his death.[1] Later, when a verse was needed, Ira and Levant recalled what they knew George had had in mind, and composer Vernon Duke reconstructed the music for the verse at the beginning of the song.
Originally titled "It's Here to Stay" and then "Our Love Is Here to
Stay", the song was finally published as "Love Is Here to Stay". Ira
Gershwin said that he wanted to change the song's name back to "Our Love
Is Here to Stay" for years, but felt that it wouldn't be right since
the song had already become a standard.
fusabue
She respects composer and songwriter. never show off technique. I like her style very much. Thanks for posting this.
Noe Berengena
That is an important distinction that sets Rosemary Clooney apart as an icon. Many other singers use a song to show off vocally. I find their unnecessary frills annoying.
Randy's Phonograph Restorations
Rosie was such a class act. I could listen to her for hours on end.
Sy Ciuplyte
So true man.
hjander 09
She takes the listener on a journey through the song. Marvelous!
AG C
Rosemary was such a class act. Very down to earth. I saw her live at the Herbst Theater in SF and she spilled some water on the piano, mopped it up, and cracked "A woman's work is never done."
MusicalFeelings
Auntie Rosie makes her nephew proud!! A great presence on the stage, unusual voice and very jazzy...
Joe Carbery
“Love Is Here to Stay” was the last musical composition George
Gershwin completed before his death on July 11, 1937. Ira Gershwin wrote
the words after George's death as a tribute to his brother’s passing.
Although George had not initially written a verse for the song, he did
have an idea for it that both Ira and pianist Oscar Levant had heard prior to his death.[1] Later, when a verse was needed, Ira and Levant recalled what they knew George had had in mind, and composer Vernon Duke reconstructed the music for the verse at the beginning of the song.
Originally titled "It's Here to Stay" and then "Our Love Is Here to
Stay", the song was finally published as "Love Is Here to Stay". Ira
Gershwin said that he wanted to change the song's name back to "Our Love
Is Here to Stay" for years, but felt that it wouldn't be right since
the song had already become a standard.
proserepair
It's funny. When she sings, it like your best friend talking to you at the kitchen table.
Art Edwards
Rosemary Clooney lived next to Ira Gershwin, until his death.