Rosemary Clooney - I"ll Be Seeing You

Before the rock & roll revolution, Rosemary Clooney was one of the most popular female singers in America, rising to superstardom during the golden age of adult pop. Like many of her peers in the so-called "girl singer" movement - Doris Day, Kay Starr, Peggy Lee, Patti Page, et al. - Clooney's style was grounded in jazz, particularly big-band swing. She wasn't an improviser or a technical virtuoso, and lacked the training to stand on an equal footing with the greatest true jazz singers. However, she sang with an effortless, spirited swing, and was everything else a great pop singer of her era should have been. Her phrasing and diction were flawless, and her voice was warm, smooth, and relaxed; moreover, she was a sensitive and emotionally committed interpreter of lyrics. Some of her biggest hits were dialect-filled novelty songs, like her star-making breakthrough "Come On-a My House" from 1951, but she generally preferred to tackle more sophisticated fare, and recorded with numerous duet partners, jazz orchestras, and top-tier arrangers. Changing tastes and various personal problems conspired to stall her career in the '60s.
Clooney was born May 23, 1928, in Maysville, KY. Her childhood was a difficult one; her father was an alcoholic, and her mother's job required extensive traveling, so Clooney and her siblings were shuffled back and forth between both parents and assorted relatives. When Clooney was 13, her mother remarried and moved to California, taking Clooney's brother Nick (later an actor and TV host) and leaving Rosemary and her younger sister Betty in the care of their father. At first, he supported the girls by working in a defense plant, but his troubles got the better of him, and he abandoned them at the end of World War II. At first, Clooney and her sister supported themselves by collecting cans and bottles, and entered amateur talent contests as a singing duo (Rosemary had grown up idolizing Billie Holiday). They were saved from poverty (and likely eviction) when they successfully auditioned for a Cincinnati radio station later in 1945.
Billed as the Clooney Sisters, Rosemary and Betty gave weekly radio performances until they were discovered by bandleader Tony Pastor. By the end of 1945, the girls had joined his orchestra as the featured vocal attraction -- which was rapidly becoming a necessity in the postwar era. In 1946, Rosemary cut her first solo record, "I'm Sorry I Didn't Say I'm Sorry (When I Made You Cry Last Night)," but didn't begin to work as a solo artist until 1948, when Betty decided to stop touring with Pastor and return to Cincinnati. Clooney stayed with Pastor for another year before heading to New York in 1949 and signing a solo record contract with Columbia.
Most of Clooney's earliest records for Columbia were children's songs, but in 1951 she began working with producer/A&R man Mitch Miller. As he did with many other artists, Miller pushed Clooney to record novelty numbers, specifically an Italian-dialect song called "Come On-a My House" that had been co-written by Armenian-American cousins William Saroyan and Ross Bagdasarian (the latter would go on to fame as creator of the Chipmunks). Clooney hated the song and held out for weeks before finally giving in. Despite her lifelong distaste for it, "Come On-a My House" was a huge success; it sold over a million copies and topped the charts in 1951, instantly making Clooney a household name.
Over the next few years, Clooney alternated between hot big-band swing and the light novelty fare Miller insisted upon, though she much preferred the former. She was wildly popular in the years leading up to rock & roll, scoring hit after hit: the chart-toppers "Half as Much," "Hey There," and "This Ole House"; the Italian-style tunes "Botch-a-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciani Piccina)" and "Mambo Italiano"; and several other cornerstones of her repertoire, including "Tenderly" and "If Teardrops Were Pennies."
Clooney also continued to record, though with diminishing success thanks to the advent of rock & roll. Still, her repertoire was growing more mature, as she recorded with Duke Ellington (the 1956 album Blue Rose) and Benny Goodman, and also tried her hand at country standards and Broadway show tunes. Her final Top Ten hit was 1957's "Mangos," and the following year, she parted ways with Columbia and moved over to RCA, where she debuted with the well-received Bing Crosby collaboration Fancy Meeting You Here. She went on to record for MCA, Reprise, Coral, and Capitol during the '60s as well. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: john1948.wikifo...

[@SueArbon]

Had this played at my husbands' funeral. He's not gone, he's over the rainbow.

[@doalaboo7090]

My dad did at his wife/ my moms funeral. I tear up every time i hear it regardless of who sings it. I miss em.

[@nspapas]

This song is great no matter who sings it, but Rosie Clooney's rendition is definitely among the best.

[@lanacain]

Beautiful song and words written during WW2 . Thank you

[@lorindagarcia4902]

Being born in 1949 I enjoyed hearing all the old artists like PERRY COMO, NAT KING COLE, DINAH WASHINGTON, ETC. Ballads were so well written and enjoyed. Thank you 40s, 50s and 60s!

[@pldilliner9490]

I agree.. that was the era of big bands and talent beyond words. That was Real Music.. 40’s, 50’s, 60’s..yes!! Sinatra, Martin, Bennett, Glenn Miller, Steve & Eydie on & on.. Beautiful..👵🏻🌺

[@ron_gerson]

This is the quintessential version of a masterpiece. She just nails it, and it’s live on TV with an orchestra. There are not enough buttons on all of social media for me to “like” to properly express my feelings for this one.

[@djo9277]

And she is so beautiful!

[@barbarascott3350]

Judy Garland did a pretty heartbreaking rendition…also Bernadette Peters

[@linewerksllc1803]

YES!!!!!!!!!!

[@danv.872]

It's pretty but I like Jimmy Durante's version better.

[@ron_gerson]

@@danv.872 Rosemary has a cuter nose.

[@marthafrancisco8149]

My son passed away 5 years ago, this song perfectly says what's in my heart.

[@rylandgroves]

I don’t know what it is about her rendition to this, but it makes me want to cry every time. Love you Rosemary ♥️

[@lynne150351]

I have just listened to 6 versions of this song which was my mums favourite, I grew up listening to all the war time songs and she would sing them all day, she;s gone these 21 years now, but this song brings her right back to me and I'm a child again , and Rosemary's version is by far the best , the clarity of her vocals is outstanding, this is for you mum, till we meet again, I'll be looking at the moon but I'll be seeing you xxx

[@andrewpomerantz6162]

I like Liberace's version best.

[@ilynncolon1249]

MY 19 YEAR OLD GRANDSON DIED YESTERDAY.. ALL I CAN DO IS LISTEN TO THS SONG AND PUTTING HIS FACE INTO THIS VIDEO. GOD BLESS YOU ROMAN

[@kevincalvey3868]

God bless you both. This song invokes such strong love and emotion.

[@arthur1920]

so sorry for your loss. Hope you keep that loving image in you mind for ever and it brings you comfort. We are only here for a fly speck of time in the universe and you will see him again in another plane of existence

[@nowvoyagerNE]

oh how sad :'( God bless him and God bless you llynn. i have every faith that you and he will be reunited when the time is right.

[@dgschwal9776]

Ilynn Colon Rosemary Clooney is one of my favorites...I happened to be on here this morning and saw this...there is never a timetable for loss...many thoughts and prayers for you in your loss...

[@jennifursun3303]

Ilynn Colon so sorry for your loss. reminds me of my late dad and mom God Bless

[@garyk.nedrow8302]

Clooney's voice is about half an octave lower (mezzo-soprano?) than most female vocalists, with an exceptionally rich, smooth tone that is pleasant to listen to and surprisingly intimate. Her phrasing and diction are flawless, a trait shared with all properly trained big band singers. Her talent was wasted by Columbia on novelty songs (Perry Como suffered a similar fate), but when she sang the swing songs of the big band era, she was in her element, as demonstrated here. Other singers may be more technically versatile, but sheer pleasure, I'll take Clooney any day of the week.

[@davidallen508]

I liked the novelty songs too and it meant whole families fell in love with Rosie and Perry.They both did it all and I’m grateful.😀❤️

[@michaelplunkett8059]

I call a tie on her and Jo Stafford. Everyone else is junior varsity.

[@bruceb5481]

I love Rosemary's rendition of this beautiful song. Now I'm trying to think of who hasn't recorded it.

[@user-dq2lm4zx2o]

This is just one of those old sweet songs from the era where the lyrics included “my dearie”, sweetheart” or “my darling”. Such tender words of love and respect you don’t hear much anymore. Such sweet and simple reverence from cole porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome kerns made it so easy to feel romantic too

[@user-li6to3bb5r]

I cry whenever I hear this song. No matter where I am, or how good of a mood I'm in, I cry hearing it. My grandparents loved this song. A few years after my grandfather died who served in WWII, this song was sung at our family reunion. My grandmother started crying. I kneeled on the floor next to her lap, and rubbed her hand. 2 years after that, she passed away. I'll never forget that moment or this song

[@calvinjackson8110]

I am crying as I read this. Keep crying and remembering them. That's how you keep them alive in your heart.

[@MichaelSimmons.]

Classy Lady. She had a lot of hearthaches in her life. But she came through it all. RIP Rosemary.

[@dreamitable]

She seemed like it did not affect her when she sang.

[@natalierosen]

Gorgeous, sad, melancholy song that makes me cry every time I hear it. Whether you think of your loved one(s), whether you think of all those soldiers in WWII and beyond, whether you just appreciate it for the melodiousness of its melody it is just simply beautiful and one of my favorites!

[@MarkGibsonrmarkgibson]

A beautiful and sad song, sung so beautifully by Rosemary... from a generation when the young men went off to fight in WW2. Millions never returned and this melancholy song captures the pain of loss.

[@lisahuennekens6342]

Timeless song. How our previous generation sacrificed, lost loved ones, lost connection to a loved one. My heart is always heavy with gratitude and sadness when I hear this tune.

[@davidwilliamson3644]

Lisa Huennekens i loved your comment, my comment was this was an old WW2 song, sadly many of these folks never saw their loved ones again

[@dreamitable]

@@davidwilliamson3644 So sad.

[@barbaraanderson6110]

@@davidwilliamson3644 k9

[@barbaraanderson6110]

@@davidwilliamson3644 9

[@idanwillenchik3050]

I'm sad for today's generation because the so called music they listen to is nowhere near these kinds of songs.Such lovely lyrics and such a sweet and beautiful melody sung with a beautiful voice.The art of music is in its worst state ever since the new millenium.

[@williamlrobinson6293]

Rosemary was of the best singers of her time. She delivers a great rendition of this tune. Some of the best music ever was produced during this era.

[@katiekatconway1880]

I definitely agree with you I love music of this period. I’ve watched every version of this song on KZbin and for me this songs belongs to Vera Lynn - her emotion was so REAL. Beautiful song

[@davidavillalobos8988]

The song I'll Be Seeing is my song I dedicate to my parents, uncle and grandmother. I was a post war baby and I am from the early 60 era. I was brought up with all the 40 music. My precious mother passed away June 7 at the age of 90, and all the music she loved from her day, I will keep in my heart and life. I was taught by my mother and family to honor all our service men and women and I salute them and thank them. All the 40 music my parents and uncle introduced me to as a young child, I so appreciate it. I love and enjoy each of the band musicians: Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Jo Stafford, Doris Day, Harry James, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Rosemary Clooney, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald and many more. I will always keep these amazing 40 music and songs in my heart, and always remember my parents and uncle who loved their music. Thank you amazing men and women for all the music you placed in our hearts.

[@windstorm1000]

my favorite singer...terrific breath control, line, tone, phrasing, remarkable warmth, everything. Miss you Rosemary.

[@davidallen508]

How right you are ; I have loved Rosie since I was seven years old.

[@tinafarrar8350]

I love her delivery of this song plus her God-given talented voice.

[@jamezkpal2361]

Best rendition.

[@felixramirez6898]

I just don`t have the word,s anymore , Just the tear`s . God help us ... ALL .

[@dudley5533]

So sad to hear the before and after of the hard life she had to undergo in between this performance and the one years later. Despite all of that, she kept her wonderful talent alive for us to enjoy her then and now.

[@trysometenderness7466]

I hardly ever heard someone sing a bad rendition of this song simply because the song is that great.

[@jimaroo100]

Rosemary Clooney always had a sadness to her that touched the heart... from the opening bars here she can move me like almost no other singer.

[@user-ce8fd3ph6d]

A vida tem mais sentido quando ouvimos canções de grande valor, obrigado.

[@susanscott3808]

Whenever I hear this song & other songs from the '40s, I always create images of my MA watching my DAD as he was leaving to go off to serve in the COAST GUARD during WWII. How beautiful & heartbreaking at the same time.

[@misterp9242]

My grandmother introduced me to Rosemary Clooney when I was a little boy. I remembered being so intrigued by her phrasing. Now at 35, Rosemary and music from this period REMINDS me of those precious memories of my childhood. #Rosie

[@SandViolet]

She was beaufiful woman and a brilliant singer. No wonder why she was the only popular music singer to make the cover of Time magazine during the first half of the 20th Century.

[@roseb.1537]

I love Rosemary Clooney's voice!

[@richardqueener8991]

+Rose B. Yes, so do I. Rosemary had beautiful sound quality, she can't be beat by more modern singers.

[@zeldasmith6154]

Mother loved her voice.

[@thomast8539]

Thank you Rosemary. Your version was simply the best.

[@jmrodas9]

Nací en 1946 y recuerdo haber escuchado estas canciones cuando era niño. Mi Padre QEPD solía escucharlas en la radio, y aunque no las entendía del todo, me gustaban. Me parece que la música de entonces era mejor que la que se escucha ahora.

[@TheAnitam3]

Doesn't get much better than this. I was fortunate to grow up in 50's and 60's when radio stations played Beatles , Elvis, Doris Day , Johnny Cash< Eddy Arnold, Gerry and the Pacemakers and this fantastic lady! You were exposed to the best of the best and some not so hot.

[@giselamaia1734]

Essa música é aburdamente maravilhosa . Fico emocionada toda vez que a ouço e me lembro do filme . Recordações preciosas que me acompanham sempre .❤

[@rd3271]

My fav of all the singers that do this rendition. So angelic!

[@Puzzler4879]

Another great one from a lady who could not do wrong with a song!

[@cards0486]

I just love that song, along with the movie and all the emotion it brings to me. Having Rosie sing it makes it all the sweeter.

[@someonesomewhere1100]

I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places That this heart of mine embraces all day through In that small cafe, the park across the way The children's carousel, The chestnut trees, the wishing well I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day In everything that's light and gay I'll always think of you that way I'll find you in the morning' sun And when the night is new I'll be looking at the moon But I'll be seeing you I'll find you in the morning sun And when the night is new I'll be looking at the moon But I'll be seeing you

[@belenp.7415]

I'm 13, YES,13 years old and I like this song. I'm so weird. 😭

[@adamlopez2073]

Belén P. You're not weird at all. You just have an ear for great music! Keep on listening... :)

[@mimiseton]

Wow...A truly gorgeous rendition of this tune. What a voice!

[@cutanea2]

Yes I agree, Rosemary had a beautiful rich voice, which was at it's best singing songs like this.

[@brooklynjazzdoc5611]

Rosemary was given a gift from God. Her alto with a built-in vibrato could convey anything from innocence to playful seductress and carry it off with élan. She had to have been a major influence for Karen Carpenter. Lady altos are rarely successful. These two were. Dame Vera Lynn's rendition in monaural from the 40's still inspires goose bumps. Three great ladies. We were blessed to have them.

[@leonarddonald2093]

I saw her in Concord CA several times. That was her label. She always told the story about her grandkids and her metal implant. Priceless

[@leonarddonald2093]

Yes. The magnetic knee was classic. I miss those Concord shows. Back in Ohio now

[@janewasson4845]

My Mom and Dad's song. ❤️🌹

[@WLJonesMusic]

One of my favorite songs. I love how Rosie sings it. Perfection.

[@dsgblal1]

I just don't believe how 16 people can end up not liking this song. OMG!!!!!

[@NurseEmilie]

There are a lot of retards in this world.

[@calvinjackson8110]

Poor hearing or an empty soul, that's all I can figure.

[@Singingsal17]

My dads favorite song was this song He was a musician. When he passed last year at 90 I went to his grave and asked for a sign. I got into my car and I had on satellite radio Seriously With Sinatra and what was on....I'll Be Seeing You.....

[@mikegreenlee595]

Sal Morreale loved your story , beautiful.

[@allycole4145]

Sal Morreale My Dad used to sing this song

[@kirbymanning8306]

It was my mother's favorite song...snd she played it often on the piano. She was a fabulous pianist.

[@Zeppolino100]

Sal, a similar experience happened to me with the Nat King Cole song "Smile".....Love doesn't die.

[@fredrickaappletree3402]

Sal that’s lovely 😊 Zip that’s true 🙂

[@catdad1988]

Patty M. Nuckles April 29, 1946-March 17, 2016 Judith M. Nuckles July 27, 1970-December 6, 2016 Mother and Daughter, my Grandma and my Aunt, gone in the same year. 😢 "I'll find you in the morning sun, and when the night is new, I'll be looking at the moon but I'll be seeing you."

[@voicegirl555]

Happy Birthday Rosemary! God bless you! They don't make singers like you anymore.

[@cgreen1111]

It’s May 23rd, 2024……Happy Birthday in Heaven, Rosie ❤

[@californiagold3857]

A truly great singer. Loved her!

[@browndog461]

What a remarkable lady, talent and star. Understated, classy, unique.

[@Barbiejovo]

Love Rosemary Clooney! Love the pics with her kids and family at the end of the song.

[@pattigracewillman4932]

What a smooth , gorgeous, original voice she has- and she was wonderful in White Christmas which the whole family watches every year both at thanksgiving and Christmas. She is so Lovely and feminine. She is my favorite singer and personality of that era.

[@rickrodrigues2219]

Rosemary Clooney serves it up straight without embellishment...honest & true. I love it!

[@angelacarleton9575]

This Song is sung so lovely by Rosemary Clooney - love this song!

[@audrabarrett9648]

Always listen to this when I’m missing the love of my life-my husband of 30+ years. Will see you soon, darling.

[@deanpippitt3170]

I miss you Steven, love you Kathleen❤

[@Maggy47]

This is the best version ❤

[@trixie4483]

A true classic

[@11redlions]

she was gorgeous

[@coykoi5128]

i love this song and i think i've listened to every single version on youtube. and this one is the only one to make me cry, every time i come back to it, no matter how many times. pouring down my face. i don't what it's got that the other covers haven't, but it's something. and it gets me every time.

[@roslindaluv]

I love this song. sad and melancholy ...

[@copperslady]

WWII .......song.

[@katiahipolito7684]

Lindíssima ❤

[@peopleplacesandperspective5564]

One of the songs I picked for our Mom’s memorial service. 💕

[@peterbell8897]

One of the great female voices.

[@chchwoman9960]

Yes. And one who improved with age

[@normasmither202]

Beautiful! Such a pure, flawless voice!

[@castalia60able]

I love this song very much..reminds me of WWII. "I'll Be Seeing You." lyrics and music are so special - thank you for uploading this for everyone!

[@AstronautOtto]

omg she was gorgeous... and after reading her story in the description I almost cried imagining how hard it was for her when very young. She was tough, smart and beautiful.

[@direfranchement]

It's a pity that Rosemary Clooney is mostly remembered for her hits which were cheesy novelty songs (i.e. "Mambo Italiano"). She had such a marvelous voice and interpretive style when handling quality material, but whenever she comes up, it's always the throwaway hits that are played.

[@tracyarmstrong2953]

Best version of this song ever!

[@platoon108]

Such a beautiful song, sung by a beautiful young woman...so many of our guys didn't come back, WWII, Korea, Vietnam...

[@bushphd68]

Makes me cry every time I hear it.

[@toniapicelli893]

One of the many wonderful singers from this time in music. This is a beautiful tune, beautifully done.

[@packyzen]

La meilleure version de cette chanson.

[@KIZERVONZINGER]

My Mom loved this song! I can see her singing it in our kitchen... Here's to you Mom, We miss you.

[@harvejoel1911]

Can't imagine the love mom and pop had, when I hear Rosemary sing this I know, the war the love for each other can be heard in a song, and in this case a voice, the way they looked at each other when hearing this song always a lasting memory, I miss them terribly but I have their song!

[@lilyotv9767]

Perfection thank you!

[@JR-pr8jb]

Wonderful performance of a gorgeous song, beautiful lyrics and melodically quite sophisticated. (Like most versions, this omits the musically impossible introductory verse.)

[@Scarlet99977]

Clooney's version of this beloved song is one of the best that I have ever heard. Some of the artists that you might think would have done a better job did not come even close to this. The song is best sand simply, without making a lot of crazy note changes.

[@liabowers5661]

I'm singing this for my beautiful great grandmothers funeral

[@harveyperleberg6459]

How could not love Rosemary .and singing the best love song of world war two. Thanks Rosie. You are missed.

[@justkim1]

So long, Pop. Will miss you and what could have been. Wish we had had the time to set things right. Instead, you left without saying goodbye; God needed you more and now you are free of pain and the infirmities that age inflicts. Godspeed.

[@ricardosimon517]

DOES ROMANTICS TIMES WILL NEVER COME BACK AGAIN ,WHAT A GREAT SONG!

[@dondoherty1842]

I often listen to this and hum this song when I go for a walk, it helps deal with the loss of my wife who use to walk with me daily.

[@monalisasweetheart7369]

I must have been born in the wrong era because I love everything about Classic Songs, Wardrobe and Way of Being!!! Oh why can't I be jolted to the past!! Heck, I would even give up social media for such Elegance and refined living, sigh!!!! 😇😍😏

[@inthewoods80]

She was just so lovely.

[@dalelloyd4531]

Beauty - beauty - beauty from her soul to her skin and all poured out in her voice...........

[@normarosalinddavies3635]

Beautiful❤

[@kstormgeistgem461]

George came by his good looks most naturally thanks to the genes in the family. I love her voice. I loved it in White Christmas and so many other movies. I could listen for hours & be perfectly content to have nothing but that soft wave of pure perfection of sound wash over me as I went to sleep & dremt of more musically lovely times. When breaking out into a song-n-dance number made complete sense no matter What else was going on. [sad smile] Rest well Lady Nightingale.. Sing in heavenly light.

[@Midir80]

This song is simply terrific. Always have tears in my eyes.

[@ardentlearner]

way before my time but love this song and the way its sung,my friends think im weird lol their loss

[@retasueus]

I heard it when I was in my 20's and loved it so you are not weird.

[@nowvoyagerNE]

you are not weird at all...she is lovely and she sings this perfectly.

[@spgtenor]

It's your friends who don't have an ear for good music the way you do. Yes, it's their loss.

[@widdershiznit]

Music is music. Good music stands the test of time.

[@richardg9638]

they're weird. this song is timeless

[@anaguerra9522]

A Class Act.

[@caretaker158]

Oh one of my favorite songs of all time by one of the most incredible singers of all time. Perfection.

[@kevincalvey3868]

Another anthem of the greatest generation. See also: "We'll Meet Again" Thinking of you mom.

[@robertobarrale8900]

Beatiful Song ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@maryroser272]

This was my sweet husband Bob's song for 60 plus years. When he died 4 years ago I had it put on his tombstone plus John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes I Him, should not perish, but will have eternal life.

[@kellysisney1383]

Really beautiful voice and gifted lady and funny too

[@lizdoyle7158]

SUPER SINGER ⚘YEH ROSEMARY ⚘SHE WAS SO GOOD ⚘

[@MR.HandyANDY]

A great song and a great representation of some of the best humanity is capable of creating.