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".
Lover Man
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissin'
Oh, what I've been missin'
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems
Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
The song "Lover Man" by Rosemary Clooney is a melancholic ballad that talks about the longing for love and companionship. The song starts with her confessing that she doesn't know why she's feeling so low, but she longs to try something that she's never had before, which is kissing. The singer then wonders where her lover man is, as she's feeling cold, alone, and unloved. The song also talks about how the thrill of romance is like a heavenly dream, and she prays every night that her lover man will eventually make love to her. Despite the sadness, the singer remains hopeful that someday her lover man will come, and they will be able to express their love through hugs and kisses.
The lyrics of "Lover Man" reflect the concept of loneliness and longing for love. It is a song that speaks to the heart of anyone who is experiencing such emotions. The song's slow tempo and Clooney's emotive tone create a somber atmosphere, perfectly conveying the song's theme. Moreover, the reference to kissing and making love may have been considered scandalous during the time the song was released, which adds an element of "forbidden desire" to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
I'm experiencing sadness despite not knowing its origin
I long to try something I never had
I yearn to experience something that I haven't before
Never had no kissin'
I haven't had the pleasure of kissing anyone
Oh, what I've been missin'
I'm acutely aware of what I've been missing out on without experiencing romance
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I'm desperately searching for the elusive lover who can complete me
The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'm feeling cold and lonely in the dark
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
I'm willing to do anything to make you mine
Got a moon above me
While I may have the moonlight to keep me company
But no one to love me
I still feel unloved
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I'm still earnestly searching for the elusive lover who can complete me
I've heard it said
I've been told by some people
That the thrill of romance
The excitement of being in love
Can be like a heavenly dream
Can feel like a euphoric, dreamlike state
I go to bed with a prayer
I go to sleep with a wish or request
That you'll make love to me
That you'll show me affection and intimacy
Strange as it seems
Although it may sound unusual
Someday we'll meet
I believe that we'll one day cross paths
And you'll dry all my tears
You'll take away my pain and sorrow
Then whisper sweet
Speak softly and tenderly
Little things in my ear
Kind words and affectionate gestures whispered in my ear
Hugging and a-kissing
Showing physical affection through hugging and kissing
Oh, what I've been missing
I'm acutely aware of what I've been missing out on without experiencing love and affection
Lover man, oh, where can you be?
I'm still searching for the elusive lover who can give me the happiness I desire
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, TED KOEHLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind