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".
Something
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet just as sure as you live
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don't say no because I insist
Somewhere, somehow
Someone's gotta be kissed
So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store
From their vast mysterious sky
I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that I adore
But how long can anyone try?
Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Fight, fight, fight it with all of your might
Chances are that some heavenly star-spangled night
We'll find out just as sure as we live
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Something's gotta give
Aww, let's tear it up
The lyrics of Rosemary Clooney's song "Something's Got To Give" depict a classic scenario of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. Clooney sings about the tension between two people who seem completely incompatible, but are unable to resist each other's charm. She emphasizes this by constantly repeating the phrase "something's gotta give", conveying the feeling of a coming change that cannot be avoided.
The first verse sets the stage, suggesting that the two people in question are from different worlds. She uses the metaphor of an "irresistible force" and an "old immovable object" to suggest they are a mismatch. The second verse introduces the idea of attraction, with the irrepressible smile warming the implacable heart. Here, she shows that despite the differences, there is an undeniable chemistry between the two.
In the third verse, Clooney suggests that the tension is coming to a head. The line "en garde" conjures an image of two fencers preparing to do battle, with the potential outcome unknown. She also acknowledges that they may be fighting a losing battle, as they both seem to be giving in to each other's charms. The final verse suggests that the outcome is still uncertain, with the lovers resigned to let fate decide.
Overall, "Something's Got To Give" is a song about romantic tension and the inevitability of change. It showcases Clooney's vocal versatility and ability to convey complex emotions in a simple and direct way.
Line by Line Meaning
When an irresistible force such as you
When someone as attractive as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
Interacting with someone who is stubborn and resists change
You can bet just as sure as you live
It is certain to happen
Something's gotta give
A change must occur
When an irrepressible smile such as yours
When someone's joy radiates
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Affecting someone who is steady and unchanging
Don't say no because I insist
Do not say no because I desire it strongly
Somewhere, somehow
At some point in time or space
Someone's gotta be kissed
Someone needs to be kissed
So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store
So, be prepared, as fate may have other plans
From their vast mysterious sky
From an unknown omniscient source
I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that I adore
I will make an effort to ignore the lips I love
But how long can anyone try?
Questioning how long someone can resist temptation
Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might
Struggle, struggle, struggle with all of our strength
Chances are some heavenly star-spangled night
Probably a beautiful and magical night
We'll find out just as sure as we live
We will know for sure
Something's gotta give
A change must occur
Fight, fight, fight it with all of your might
Struggle, struggle, struggle with all of your strength
Something's gotta give
A change must occur
Something's gotta give
A change must occur
Aww, let's tear it up
Oh, let's have fun
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KIMBERLEY KOCHEL
My favorite song by Rosemary Clooney. George was blessed to have such a wonderful aunt. ❤️🌹🙏
C Denese
beautiful--love Rosemary Clooney and this song
nemo227
Great lyrics. Great arrangement. Great performance. I remember when this was played on all the radio stations. I especially love the youtube "reaction" videos when young people listen to past songs and performers. They are generally impressed with their "discoveries".
Elliott Michaels
Just beautiful!
ginny white
love this
Valerie
Yes..George VERY lucky to have such a beautiful aunt!!!
Jacquelyn Gardner
Beautiful ❤️
Laura C
When I tell my brother to do something
Is it all going in one ear and out the other!
Jen Schueller
Sang this at karaoke haha
Juliet Reminiec
Isn't the song hey there from the broadway Musical The Pajama Game?