JUST TO BELONG TO YOU


As sung by Betty Clooney (early 1950s)

Rereleased [Sisters] 2006


Once I dreamt of summers up in by Newport by the sea

Winters in Havana, mingling with society

But now I'd live in Coney Island, happy as can be

Just to belong to you.


Used to spend my money like there was no income tax

Had a charge account at Hattie Carnegie and Saks

But now I'd shop at Macy's and I'd walk around in slacks

Just to belong to you.


Rich or poor, with you I'm sure

I'd have everything

With each kiss, I find the bliss

That only love can bring.


I don't want a honeymoon in Paris or in Rome

Just to hold you in my arms, who needs St. Peter's dome

I'd settle for Niagara Falls, even stay at home

Just to belong to you.


Ran around exclusively with barons and with earls

All we used to talk about was horses, cars and pearls

But I gave back the bluebloods to the continental girls

Just to belong to you.


Rich or poor, with you I'm sure

I'd have everything

With each kiss, I find the bliss

That only love can bring.


Once I said that marriage ties would make my life a wreck

Ran away from wedding bells to walk on freedom's deck

But now I'd put old matrimony's noose around my neck

Just to belong to you.


Notes:


Betty Clooney was younger by 3 years than her famous sister, Rosemary

Clooney. Their brother Nick was the father of actor George Clooney. Both

girls were born in Kentucky USA, and started their careers singing

together. After a few years of travelling, Betty decided to return home

to do local jobs in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rosemary went on to stardom singing

for Columbia Records. Betty eventually had her own radio shows and

started appearing on TV. She made a number of recordings and finally in

the 1950s, decided to give up show life and raise a family. Her

recordings aren't as numerous as her renowned sister. She will always

live historically in the shadow of Rosemary but none the less, in her

own rite, she was a sterling songstress. One of the girls most popular

hits as a duo was SISTERS  from 1954. 


Interestingly, although this creatively clever song appeared in Irving

Berlin's White Christmas, Betty did not appear in the movie as

Rosemary's sister, nor was her voice dubbed in. The original 78/45 rpm

recordings with both the Clooney girls was cut with Paul Weston and His

Orchestra in 1954. From a handful of Betty's recordings, 

CHRISTMAS AND YOU is available in this ILP database.


(Transcribed by David Story July 2014)