… Read Full Bio ↴Blossom Dearie (1924-2009) was an American jazz singer and pianist.
Born on 28th April 1924 in East Durham, New York, of mixed Scottish and Norwegian ancestry, Dearie began her career in vocal groups in New York. In the early 1950s she moved to Paris, forming her own vocal group, The Blue Stars, later to become the Swingle Singers.
After signing to Verve, Dearie returned to the U.S. where, despite developing a successful career and achieving international fame, by 1974 the lack of interest from major labels led her to start her own label, Daffodil Records. She continued performing into her eighties.
Blossom Dearie died on 7th February 2009, at her apartment in Greenwich Village, New York City
Always True To You In My Fashion
Blossom Dearie Lyrics
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Why can't you behave
Why can't you behave?
How in hell can you be jealous
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
I'm just mad for you
And I'll always be
But naturally
If a custom-tailored vet
Asks me out for something wet
When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
I enjoy a tender pass
By the boss of Boston, Mass
Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's a madman known as Mack
Who is planning to attack
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
I've been asked to have a meal
By a big tycoon in steel
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin' in my way
I could never curl my lip
To a dazzlin' diamond clip
Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
But I'm always true to to you, darlin, in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Who is keen to give me checks
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Who's a wolf, to say the least
When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin'in my way
There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Who is rich but such a bore
When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin',in my way
Mister Harris, plutocrat
Wants to give my cheek a pat
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, ok. Oo-la-la!
Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way
From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Calls me up from night 'til morn
Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Often moves me to the Ritz
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Wants me on his boat to park
If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
The lyrics to “Always True To You In My Fashion” by Blossom Dearie are witty and playful, with the singer addressing her lover Bill and the many other men who show her attention. She questions why Bill can’t behave but assures him that she is his slave and always madly in love with him. She then goes on to detail several scenarios where other men have shown her affection, but she remains “always true to you, darlin’, in my fashion.” Whether it’s a custom-tailored vet or a boss from Boston, she flirts and enjoys the attention but ultimately remains faithful to Bill.
The lyrics, while seemingly light and humorous, are actually a commentary on the expectations and constraints placed on women in relationships. The singer is expressing her desire for freedom and the ability to express herself, even if it means flirting with other men. However, she remains committed to her lover and does not cheat on him. The lyrics also highlight the double standard that women often face in relationships, where men may flirt with other women but are expected to remain loyal themselves. The singer is subverting this standard and asserting her own agency.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Bill
Direct address to Bill, the subject being addressed throughout the song.
Why can't you behave
Questioning the subject's behavior and lack of control.
How in hell can you be jealous
Expressing disbelief at subject's jealousy.
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
Reminding the subject of their power dynamic in the relationship.
I'm just mad for you
Expressing strong affection for the subject.
And I'll always be
Promising the subject unwavering loyalty.
If a custom-tailored vet
Describing a potential love interest's profession.
Asks me out for something wet
Proposing a casual, alcoholic beverage date.
When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
Expressing excitement at physical affection.
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Reiterating loyalty to the subject despite potential romantic interests.
I enjoy a tender pass
Expressing interest in receiving physical affection from a different person.
By the boss of Boston, Mass
Describing a potential love interest's profession and location.
Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
Acknowledging that the interest's approach may not be as upscale as the subject's taste.
There's a madman known as Mack
Describing a potential love interest's dangerous tendencies.
Who is planning to attack
Describing Mack's violent intentions.
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
Expressing willingness to overlook dangerous behavior in exchange for material gain.
I've been asked to have a meal
Describing an invitation to dine with a wealthy individual.
By a big tycoon in steel
Describing the wealthy individual's profession.
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
Expressing willingness to engage in business negotiations during the meal.
I could never curl my lip
Expressing appreciation for expensive jewelry.
To a dazzlin' diamond clip
Describing an elegant diamond accessory.
Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
Expressing willingness to engage in risky behavior to please the subject.
There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Describing a potential love interest's profession and location.
Who is keen to give me checks
Hinting at financial incentives provided by the interest.
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
Expressing concern that monetary exchange may lead to a more sexually-based relationship with the individual.
There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Describing a potential love interest's religious and financial background.
Who's a wolf, to say the least
Implying that the priest has predatory intentions.
When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
Expressing willingness to explore spiritual and cultural differences outside of the subject's preference.
There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Describing a potential love interest's location and habits.
Who is rich but such a bore
Describing the interest's lack of personality or excitement.
When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
Expressing apathy towards the interest's wellbeing or attention.
Mister Harris, plutocrat
Describing a potential love interest's profession and financial background.
Wants to give my cheek a pat
Describing a physical gesture of affection from the interest.
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, ok. Oo-la-la!
Expressing excitement at the possibility of receiving luxurious gifts from the interest.
From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Describing a potential love interest's location and name.
Calls me up from night 'til morn
Describing persistent and frequent communication from the interest.
Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
Hinting at the interest's wealthy background and financial power.
From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Describing a potential love interest's location and name.
Often moves me to the Ritz
Describing lavish invitations or outings from the interest.
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
Describing the interest as possibly superficial or unserious in their pursuits.
Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Describing a potential love interest's popular name and profession.
Wants me on his boat to park
Describing an invitation for a romantic outing on a boat with the interest.
If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
Expressing excitement for financial gain in exchange for romantic involvement with the interest.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heather Collins
on Comment Allez Vous
(Parlez-vous Français?)
Mais oui, allons-y
(Parlez-vous chère madame?)
Comment allez vous? Fancy bumping into you
Comment allez vous? Tell me everything that's new
Are you happy are you sad?
Feeling good or feeling bad?
(and is there anything you're craving?)
(do you feel like misbehaving?)
Comment allez vous? Gee, it's nice to see you here
Comment allez vous? You look better every year
I was really on my way, but I had to stop and say:
Comment allez vous?
(Comment allez vous petit chou?)
Say it, it has 'savoir faire'
(Comment allez vous mon minou?)
Has a continental air
(once she heard it in the land, from a chinese laundry man)
Cloaks and suitors, by the oodles, say it to their cute french poodles
Comment allez vous?
Spaniards say it, so do Greeks
Comment allez vous?
In the desert, so do Sheiks
(show they know a thing or two)
(it's so easy, why can't you say?)
Comment?
Comment?
Comment allez vous?