Virginia O'Brien - "Say That We're Sweethearts Again"

A VERY silly (and slightly CREEPY) song from 1944.

[@mhill781]

When you're a teenager, watching this episode of Batman: TAS with your grandparents and your grandmother starts singing the lyrics because she was around when it originated.

[@Nionivek]

Not going to lie. I knew it was a real song, but I thought they changed the lyrics. I really didn't expect that, other than the word gay, they basically kept the song intact.

[@ghedebaronsamedi]

@@Nionivek Which is interesting, because they didn't change the line "don we now our gay apparel" in season 1 episode 38 - Christmas with the Joker.

[@dionysiacosmos]

​@@ghedebaronsamediThe word gay can no more be deleted from the English language than a word like Fair. It has had too many variants over time. And until very recently in its history meant light hearted, happy or decorative, exclusively. Can you imagine someone going through books with a marker redacting either word? The only good that could come of someone doing so is they might get tricked into actually reading. 🧓😎🎭💖😜

[@imthebossmermaid3648]

@@Nionivek Well they did change "hatchet" to "acid" lol.

[@aceystar1478]

​@@imthebossmermaid3648that's still in there

[@jemdemonbelle2097]

Holy crap Harley Quinn didn't parody this song, these are the actual lyrics! Ha! I love it! Messed up, but I love it!

[@MusenSusen]

@Michael Ward A truly perfect choise by Paul Dini! It couldn´t fit Harley any better than this- I can sing the whole song day along! Ha! :-D

[@nicbentulan]

AMEN TO THAT

[@nicbentulan]

@@MusenSusen AMEN TO THAT

[@nicbentulan]

@Michael Ward AMEN TO THAT

[@MrDooteronomy]

@Michael Ward "Carpooling with someone" ... yes, he was carpooling with Arleen Sorkin, the actress who voiced Harley Quinn on the show!

[@DJDiscoCat]

My mom used to kid me by singing this song when I had a broken heart...how you can you stay sad? Sick!

[@JukeHighwalker]

That's awesome...

[@plottwist3364]

Silly? I find this to be a really clever dark humor.

[@andreear4429]

Me too! Love it!

[@hebneh]

How uncharacteristically animated and smiley Virginia is here! Look at all those expressions on her face. She even screams.

[@conphused]

LagiNaLangAko23 i don’t get it 😔 f

[@Kerpkoop]

dulce garcia she’s known for being deadpan.

[@nunyabiznes33]

@@conphused look up her vids. She does what is better known as deadpan in most of her roles, this one being a notable exception.

[@daltysmilth]

Well, the song itself is kind of deadpan. It starts out sounding like a bit of a standard breakup song, then it goes off the rails.

[@BiteSizedCrafter]

I had no idea that these were the actual lyrics. Nice.

[@ellaferguson5309]

TheBiteSizedCrafter ikr

[@BlitzoSuck33]

She's pretty :o I like both versions. lol people with dysfunctional relationships since the 40s.

[@cocoloony8579]

dysfunction can have abuse

[@ComedianBobFarrell]

I liove how the camera zooms into her after she mentions the hatchet.

[@TheDrjaydrjay]

since the beginning

[@kyle381000]

I love this woman. Beautiful, talented and sublimely hilarious. No one else like her.

[@bobtaylor170]

Unfortunately, we're a rare bunch. She was a "specialty" talent, or maybe she wasn't, but the studios thought she was.

[@rogerpropes7129]

But she was competing against Hedy Lamar.

[@Valep400]

OMG I FINALLY FOUND IT!!!!

[@foxhound13]

God bless Arleen Sorkin for singing this in the car with Paul Dini giving him the idea to use this number for Harley Quinn.

[@FierceGinger]

She had such a beautiful speaking voice too, it was so calm and pleasant. This was uncharacteristic dark tho, I don't know rather to laugh or be worried.

[@RainbowFlowerCrow]

Worried 😟

[@esmeephillips5888]

From 'Meet the People' (1944). Film noir in music, the only great song- words and music- by Earl Brent (1914-77). The full version is even more macabre, with further murder attempts recounted by the victim in a spoken monologue. She ends by telling him her room number at the General Hospital, in case he ever wants to get back in touch. Stockholm Syndrome or what? How did it get past Louis B Mayer AND the Production Code enforcers?

[@spikemycorona]

This song is beautiful! Just like Virginia, exactly why they made Harley Quinn to sing this. It fits so perfectly! :D

[@MrManorAvenue]

Yes, slightly disturbing but certainly clever lyrics and wonderful melody! Thanks for posting this unique number.

[@carolynhughes8364]

Such a beautiful lady with so much talent.

[@kayjohayden]

Am I the only one here for Virginia? She's my idol❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@randonjack6184]

You are not alone. 😊

[@richardgraham5051]

I, too, adore Virginia O'Brien. In "The Big Store" she ends her rendition of "Rock a Bye My Baby" with "Shoot the Talcum to me, Malcolm". Divine! Not only absolutely beautiful with a great voice, Virginia O'Brien was a wonderful comedienne.

[@MichalisKafandaris]

She is great

[@veryannoyedrn]

On one hand you can see this as an abusive relationship. On the other hand how do we know she's not a crazy ex that hasn't stopped stalking him? I love This song so much thank you Arlene for bringing it into my life

[@davegaba9091]

I'm sorry I'd never heard of her before. She's so pretty, talented, and funny-- what a voice! Crazy song, great for Halloween...

[@UncleFeztersFlowers]

Creepy? She was a comic genius. Check her out in the Marx Brothers' 'The Big Store', 'Rock a Bye My Baby'...

[@weikko79]

The first-ever rock song.

[@christergoode6465]

This is such a great song to listen to after a break up. Gives you something to laugh about in loose connection to your own personal disaster.

[@Kerpkoop]

Great sense of humor, great voice, and super pretty. What an incredible lady

[@michaelemory552]

Absolutely unique talent, she does a great, off beat version of “Rockabye Baby” in film “The Big Store” - a must see.

[@nisogafsyl6043]

Although I enjoyed the song (lovely singing!), I couldn't help but feel sad listening to the lyrics. An abusive relationship with someone trying to kill her, and yet she still hopes for their love, blissfully unaware of the things that are glaringly obvious. It makes me even sadder that there are real abusive relationships like this :'-( Wow that was depressing, I'm gonna go watch cat videos now to take my mind off it.

[@MultiPokemonlover3]

Anyone else here from Batman: The Animated Series?

[@valevale2680]

yup

[@char6762]

Yep

[@livingchaosmatrix]

+MultiPokemonlover3 Lot´s of us.

[@MultiPokemonlover3]

apparently

[@livingchaosmatrix]

MultiPokemonlover3 This lady has a nice voice though.

[@Kicksno1fan]

"And say we're sweethearts again" "Cruella cruella de vil" They sound similar lol

[@LeighMet]

Rest in peace Ms O'brien and Ms Sorkin.

[@animatedawesome5550]

This is why BTAS is the best they found a song that is perfect for there show with out changing a thing let a show now try this hard

[@milesparker557]

harley quinn they changed one line though to make the song fit

[@animatedawesome5550]

They didn't they just skipped a few lines but over all it's pretty much the same

[@milesparker557]

I mean the part where she sings "our life could still be sweet and placid" was changed to "life used to be so placid" since Joker and Harley's relationship could obviously never be peaceful. :)

[@animatedawesome5550]

Cool I didn't even notice that

[@cocoloony8579]

its like when the batman had the song setting the woods on fire

[@pizzahutiysdeas]

I'm singing this at school

[@samanthablaisdell2149]

Good luck 😊

[@sandradaigneault2237]

Wow, beauty, talent and humor! Now that's a triple threat🤩💕

[@hemiglos]

Right up there with You Don't Love Me Anymore by Weird Al.

[@bobtaylor170]

My gosh, Virginia O'Brien was so attractive; her gift for comedy and great screen acting were wonderful.

[@imthebossmermaid3648]

It's the "farewell, my sweet" for me 😭

[@adrianedawndawn]

Hahaha, she is hilarious! Bold comedy, subtle gestures and awesomely brutal!

[@thesenate5510]

I feel a lot of Harley and Joker's relationship and chemistry was inspired from this song.

[@alexisstorm5454]

She has a beautiful voice

[@Choccoco]

Was this a movie? Or was it kinda of just like a music video/skit? I really liked it. She kind of reminds me of Meg from Hercules.

[@FlashHarry621]

NeonColoredRain It was a clip in a movie.

[@1DUhuu]

+FlashHarry621 Yes, but which one?

[@greenlee7smythe]

+NeonRain there was applause at the end, which makes me think this was a skit for an awards show or something

[@Choccoco]

greenlee7smythe That's true. I thought it was from a musical or something but I'm sure it's a skit now too.

[@ABrok-xz9bc]

Yh true she does seem like Meg

[@tommoncrieff1154]

Her voice, her diction, her beauty!

[@BlurredVision18]

Haha I totally thought they had parody the song for harley quinn. But nope. That's how the song goes. I like it.

[@mildredchester]

Saw this number on "We The People" on Turner Classics a a couple weeks ago. Later, realized I had her doing the Rock A Bye song on my copy of "The Big Store." Unfortunately, the only CD of her work has most of the songs coming from a live session in the 50s. Thanks for posting this.

[@gantz22ify]

R.I.P. Arleen Sorkin. :(

[@edomazo4293]

My God I thought this song was an idea of creators of Batman Animation sang by Harley Queen. I had no idea that this song is for real!

[@cocoloony8579]

thats what i said

[@gbbari4418]

This is seriously funny. Deliberately contradictory lyrics and verbal patter reveal the obvious dark humor intentions of the writer. Miss O'brien delivers this near-perfectly, adding her natural panache to the lyrics with flawless timing.

[@DeltaNorington]

This is one of those great songs! Right up there with "I hold your Hand in mine" By Tom Lehrer.

[@elementaldripping7845]

" H U H "

[@trexjesus721]

Elemental Dripping saw this just as she said it... An ded

[@mrmoviemanic1]

R.I.P Arleen Sorkin/Harley Quinn and Virgina O'Brien.

[@Urmom71608]

2021...?

[@Valep400]

I really love this song !!!!

[@Regfife]

I wonder if Weird Al's "You Don't Love Me Anymore" was inspired by this number.

[@purplediamond5867]

This is amazing! I love old fashion things!

[@purplediamond5867]

@Wise Acres anything you do like in the 40s and 50s?

[@ew_barf]

Virginia O’Brien is forever and always my crush.

[@sanddab]

She is stunning.

[@whitefire169]

I think Virginia sang it better than Harley.

[@emmafalconer311]

sleepyinu With Harley it was supposed to be high-pitched and nasal so it would make sense that harley didn't do it as good

[@cocoloony8579]

but that annoying voice is fake. when she was harleen quinzel, she sounded way better. and she sounded good in that new dc super hero girls movie. *sings* i'll b your hero. youll b my cloud

[@l_monsquizzy5691]

Same

[@Karma-wg5he]

I actually liked them both.

[@l_monsquizzy5691]

Haylie Mations sis are u sure your talking to me????

[@visionsofxtacy5771]

Was up to all the Dr. Harleen Francis Quinnzell fans out there😘

[@Tobias2789]

yep, after hearing the whole song, yep this defines the relationship of Harley and the Joker perfectly

[@cenutriox]

Somehow this is a protest song against domestic violence and women battering.

[@Zzzk23]

It's funny how they didn't even have to Change a lyric to fit harley Quinn

[@FlashHarry621]

@DetTigerFan Yep! It comes from a film called "Meet The People" - an otherwise conventional movie!

[@TheOneTrueKaliban]

Dear old Photoface! God bless her. :-)

[@JamieSwitzer]

Weird Al definitely used this as an inspiration for You Don't Love Me Anymore! (albeit remaking it in a James Taylor kind of tone)

[@adriansolaris555]

Musical Facade's ost brings me here. Outstanding rendition of a timeless masterpiece.

[@aliyahfreeman87]

I love this

[@coloraturaElise]

Virginia O'Brien was way underused by MGM....gorgeous woman, great voice, and funny, but they just gave her a few cameos. Too bad for them!

[@davetoffen7944]

She's delightful...

[@Lester2955]

Thank you for posting......

[@gabounex7733]

Harley Quinn, guys?

[@jasminkirkwood1927]

HEYYYYY

[@carstutorial]

yep

[@wolfy1164]

Ikr

[@kittyGirl-iu3wi]

gabounex this girl wrote this not HQ but I thought the same thing

[@nubs7013]

Yesssss

[@funkeediscotek]

Reminds me a lot of that Weird Al Song... "something tells me you don't love me anymore"

[@Blobnose10]

What a stunner she was ❤️

[@oudski]

Love her

[@growmance2191]

this is a good song

[@angelagokool9514]

Lol 😂! This is the exact same song that Harley Quinn used to sing on Batman: The Animated Series!

[@juliag.5114]

Am I the only person who has no idea who Harley Quinn is? I had to google it... came here because of the amazing Virginia O'brien

[@meggierussell952]

Jackson Hood Of course you would know that. Stop trying to hide under that hood already! We all know who you are! o.O

[@meggierussell952]

Jackson Hood ...Please tell me you actually get the reference I'm making.

[@meggierussell952]

Jackson Hood Says the one who has the Red Hood as his Google+ profile picture...

[@posey9573]

Harley is a very popular Batman, and overall DC, character and BTAS is one of the most well received cartoons ever. However it is not bad if you don't know Harley Quinn

[@lindsayheim-nugent2567]

Júlia Guerra Her name is Virginia O'Brien She was in several films in the 40s including Dubarry was a lady with Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball and Red Skelitn and The Big Store with the Marx Brothers

[@PoisonedTongue]

I did not know this was a real song

[@esmeephillips5888]

Funny and pretty, the combo Hollywood hunted for among actresses and seldom found. Unfortunately Virginia was never given extended acting opportunities in comedic films. She was treated like Ann Miller- a novelty to extend the appeal of musicals. Casting directors could not see beyond the pokerface gimmick. Inevitably she was a wisecracking support for the leading lady, an acidic confidante like Joan Blondell or Patsy Kelly. But she kept the schtick going long enough to pile up the $$$s.

[@aprilamendolare7442]

I sing this all the time!!!! And wen I do I always think of this guy that goes to my school

[@christinefilippelli7172]

Then off goes the apron!

[@unci_el]

Miss Quinn brought me here

[@sarysa]

Though it bombed at the time due to a certain world war, this gayest of musicals (actually what is written on the promo poster) lives on in our hearts thanks to Harley Quinn.

[@pal035s]

A great response to this song would be "The Ballad of the Shape of Things to Come".

[@delcambrem]

i think this is hilarious! She is awesome.

[@jimsmith9301]

Before my time but I really like her!! RIP Virginia

[@FB-lf4ue]

Love this song

[@michaelmythology]

Batman: The Animated Series is based on the Noir style of the 1940's so it's not coincidence that the writers had Harley Quinn sing this song.

[@wahbegan]

well this is....surreal and terrifying without context

[@allexx123]

A lark is a fun word a laugh

[@jokesonyoubatmanhhahahahah6230]

here because of harley quinn.

[@nubs7013]

Me too

[@matthewhernandez5339]

Bat May sent me

[@meipayan914]

Who here isn't here because they love Harley but is here because they actually like Virginia O'Brien's beautiful voice

[@holyhan3219]

I like both

[@pal035s]

Oops. I meant "The Ballad of the Shape of Things". Yup.

[@wanderjahren]

There's nowhere near enough of her on film. She was the best at snappy dialog.

[@asherdavss7819]

Let's play "Who sang it better?", Harley or Virginia?

[@nubs7013]

Harley

[@Kicksno1fan]

Asher Davss Virginia....Harley's voice was so shaky and out of tune lol

[@greenlee7smythe]

Asher Davss Virgina def! :)

[@bluediamond3860]

Asher Davss. of course its Harley she sung it like what?

[@mostlyghostie]

Virginia. Definitely..

[@bluediamond3860]

thank u for this

[@FlashHarry621]

@DetTigerFan p.s. Oh, it also contains a Spike Jones track - but that was already ON KZbin!

[@adisturbedpistachio223]

This is great

[@cocoloony8579]

how come she was screaming at the end? :( was her ex in the kitchen?

[@hard.g0re]

coco loony she says darling please put down that Hatchet as in speaking to him as he's coming at her with an hatchet

[@samanthabuckley7517]

The entire skit is her talking to her abusive ex and reminiscing so at the very end he's probably trying to kill her or something

[@harlow743]

tender love song

[@lamarionnette2159]

Every Harley's fans here !

[@johnycage5990]

Right here:)

[@stringmaster034]

here also

[@KsenyaV1307]

Blackie Pie Here!

[@cocoloony8579]

here

[@Bamblam69]

I wish I could go back in time and marry this woman.

[@katylake212]

What a beautiful girl!

[@stevedelchamps5113]

What is the word that rhymes with "pleasant"? "If you'd just put down that X"?

[@alydiaz6590]

Harley brought me here

[@cocoloony8579]

me 2

[@Topg1]

I’m here because Paul Dini said he had Harley Quinn sing this. This song is disturbing. I guess DV wasn’t frown upon in 1940. Maybe her husband is the Joker.

[@AIWboojum]

It's, um, supposed to be morbidly funny, it's not a portrait of what the 40's idea of a healthy relationship was.

[@Topg1]

@@AIWboojum ok thanks for the update.

[@TravellerFair]

Gosh!