Sugar
Billie Holiday & The Teddy Wilson Orchestra Lyrics

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Sugar, I call my baby my sugar
I never maybe my sugar
That sugar baby of mine
He's special ration
Funny, he never asks for my money
All I give him is honey
And that he can spend anytime

I'd make a million trips to lips
It I were a bee
Because he's sweeter than chocolate candy to me
He's confectionery

Sugar, I never cheat on my Sugar

Cause I'm too sweet on my Sugar
That sugar baby of mine

Overall Meaning

In Billie Holiday's song Sugar, she repeatedly refers to her lover as "sugar". The word "sugar" has connotations of sweetness, which she uses to describe her lover. It's a term of endearment for her lover, who she clearly adores. She says that she never calls him anything else, showing the intensity of their connection.

Holiday also mentions how special her lover is, referring to him as a "special ration". This shows that he's a limited and valuable resource that she cherishes. Despite this, her lover never asks for money from her. Instead, all he requests is her love ("All I give him is honey") - this implies that their love is enough for both of them.

Holiday mentions that she'd make a million trips to his lips if she were a bee, because her lover is sweeter than candy. This shows her adoration towards her lover and how much she values him. She refers to him as confectionery, which is used to describe confectionary products - sugary treats that are often associated with joy and happiness. She's essentially saying that he's a treat, a luxury that she loves consuming.

Overall, Sugar is a song that expresses intense love and admiration. Billie Holiday uses the term "sugar" to express the sweetness and value of her lover, and details how their love is enough for them both without the need for money. It's a beautiful and romantic song that is still enjoyed today.

Line by Line Meaning

Sugar, I call my baby my sugar
I affectionately refer to my significant other as my 'sugar'

I never maybe my sugar
I am always certain of my love for my 'sugar' and never have any doubts

That sugar baby of mine
My lover is sweet like sugar and belongs to me

He's special ration
My lover is one of a kind and uniquely valuable to me

Funny, he never asks for my money
My lover is not materialistic and does not expect me to spend money on him

All I give him is honey
The only thing I offer my lover is my love and affection

And that he can spend anytime
My love and affection are always available and accessible to my lover

I'd make a million trips to lips
I would kiss my lover over and over again if I could

It I were a bee
If I were a bee, I would collect nectar from my lover's lips, just like from flowers

Because he's sweeter than chocolate candy to me
My lover is even more delightful and pleasant to me than chocolate candy

He's confectionery
My lover is a sweet and delicious treat to me