Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0006158, Tue, 18 Sep 2001 11:26:07 -0700

Subject
Dmitri Nabokov on VN & Monroe's "Heart Belongs to Dadddy"
Date
Body
EDITOR's NOTE. DN responses to Oleg Dorman's item re Monroe's "Daddy." See
Dorman's orignal note following DN's comment.
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Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 18:11:22 +0200
To: chtodel@gss.ucsb.edu


Father liked Monroe, but do not think he ever carefully listened either to the
original lyrics of the song or the counterfeit cash-in. I do not know the
details, but am curious. Maybe movie expert Alfred Appel can fill us in. My
thanks to Oleg Dorman.



DN
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 12:12:28 -0700

To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Subject: Lolita's Heart belongs to Daddy

From Oleg Dorman, Moscow:

Perhaps this is the yesterday's news for full-grown Nabokovians, but
still....

I was listening to a Gershwin-Porter memorial CD, where Monroe sings this
popular MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY. It starts with: MY NAME IS LOLITA, AND I
AM NOT SUPPOSED TO...
I cannot check when the recording was done. Anyway no earlier then 1958 when
LOLITA was published in US and no later than 1962 when Monroe left. I didn't
find such an opening in the original text of the song (composed something in
the 30s) but feel that VN heard this many times:

I used to fall in love with all
Those boys who call on young cuties
But now I find I'm all inclined to keep my mind on my duties
Since I've begun to share in such a sweet love affair

Though I'm in love, I'm not above
A date with a duke or a caddie
It's just a pose, 'cause my baby knows
That my heart belongs to daddy
When some good scout, invites me out
To dine om some fine fin and haddie
My baby's sure, his love is secure


CHORUS
Cause my heart belongs to daddy
Yes my heart belongs to daddy
So I simply couldn't be bad
Yes I'm gonna marry daddy
Da-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ad
If you feel romantic laddy
Let me warn you right from the start
That my heart belongs to daddy
And my daddy belongs to my heart



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