Rosemary Clooney-Life's Lessons

Rosemary Clooney is my prototype of great singers, 1928-2002. Her voice had a full and smooth sound to every note she intoned, expressing the song's sentiment. Jo Stafford would be her competitor for she had even smoother yet distinctive sound.

Rosemary's life began as a beauty queen with a contagious voice and her life ended selling toilet paper on television with a wider girth. Through it all however, she continued to sing. Her song titles tell the story of her life and perhaps of ours.

"How Will I Remember You"
You feel as though you just can't go but you do. Those slowly developed habits are now a part of your life. But you go on. She teamed up with her sister but left for a solo career. There was more to give. Life builds and you build your life around it. Good? Bad? No one knows, it's happens and like the ocean's waves you find yourself in life's current.

"Yours Sincerely"
Rooted, loved, married and a burgeoning career. (Is there anything else?) The rocky marriage is what everyone experiences, after all you're married to big Hollywood star. The love surrounds you in music, among friends and; sometimes even at home.

"Something's Gotta Give"
Like a balloon, it can only expand so long before something needs to happens. What are you doing? Career, husband, children, admiration, adulation? What was missing. Bipolar and depression are talked about. Fancy words that really don't touch your soul and heart. Drugs lead to more drugs and you were not immune to it. The drugs got the best of you despite best intentions.

"Someone To Watch Over Me"
God must be the answer. Another husband must be the answer. Move to a new home, in a new city; that's the answer. "If only someone would..." "If only that person didn't..." "Had I stayed where..."

"I'm Beginning To See The Light"
Something is changing and I am a part of it. It is me. Sounds selfish but only if you count my marriage twice to the same abusive guy. "Let's talk selfish!" No easy answers, only today. No easy out, the music speaks for itself.

"I'm The Big Band Singer"
You've lived long enough to know that this is what really matters. Your voice. The way you share your feelings through simple, time-tested songs. You've done it. It was not easy. Why should it be easy? You did it. Your nephew can make it on his own, but you did it.

I love Rosemary Clooney.