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".
Witchcraft
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
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That sly come hither stare
That strips my conscience bare
It's witchcraft
And I've got no defense for it
The heat is too intense for it
What good would common sense for it do
'Cause it's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft
And although, I know, it's strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me
My heart says yes, indeed in me
Proceed with what your leading me to
It's such an ancient pitch
But one I wouldn't switch
'Cause no one can be witch like you
It's such an ancient pitch
But one I wouldn't switch
'Cause no one can be witch like you
The song "Witchcraft" by Rosemary Clooney is a classic tune that explores the power of attraction and the feeling of helplessness that comes along with it. The lyrics describe the mysterious and alluring nature of a person's smile and gaze, which seem to have a hypnotic effect on the singer. She admits to having no defense against this kind of spell and that even her common sense is useless in the face of such powerful emotions. The singer is aware that her feelings are taboo but cannot resist the pull of the "witchcraft."
Line by Line Meaning
That smile, so heavenly
Her charm and irresistible smile has a divine aura.
That sly come hither stare
The cunning and secretive gaze of hers lures me closer.
That strips my conscience bare
She has the power to take away all reservations and hesitations, leaving me defenseless.
It's witchcraft
This enchantress has cast a spell on me.
And I've got no defense for it
I am helpless and cannot fight against her supernatural charm.
The heat is too intense for it
The emotions she stirs up are too strong to withstand.
What good would common sense for it do
Logic and reasoning are no match against her powers.
'Cause it's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft
Her mesmerizing hold over me is like dark magic.
And although, I know, it's strictly taboo
I am aware that this infatuation is inappropriate and against societal norms.
When you arouse the need in me
She ignites a burning desire within me.
My heart says yes, indeed in me
My heart longs for her and answers with a resounding 'yes'.
Proceed with what your leading me to
I submit to her influence and follow wherever she leads me.
It's such an ancient pitch
This spell of seduction has been used for ages.
But one I wouldn't switch
However, I would not want to break free of her spell.
'Cause no one can be witch like you
Her power is unmatched and no other can charm me like she does.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind