… 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
Blossom's Blues
Blossom Dearie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was raised in a lions den
My name is Blossom
I was raised in a lions den
My nightly occupation
Stealing other womens men
I'm an evil evil woman
I'm an evil evil woman
But I want to do a man some good
I'm Gina Lola Bridgietta
I ain't red riding hood
If you don't like my peaches, baby, why do you shake my tree?
If you don't like my peaches, baby, why do you shake my tree?
Get out of my orchid, baby
Let my peach tree be
Now don't you ooh skoodla doo skoodli dee
And I won't ya ya doo doo
If you don't ooh skookdla doo
Then I won't ya ya doo doo
So don't you ooh skoodla doo skoodli dee
And I won't ya ya doo doo
Some men like me cause I'm happy
Some think I'm snappy
Some call me honey
And some think I've got
But Grey Brown told me that I was built for speed
You put them all together
Everything a good man needs
You put them all together
Everything a good man needs
The song "Blossom's Blues" by Blossom Dearie presents a sassy and self-assured character, Blossom, who introduces herself as someone who was raised in a lions' den. This could refer to a difficult upbringing, perhaps explaining why she sees herself as an "evil" woman. It is revealed that her nightly occupation is stealing other women's men, yet she still wants to do some good for a man. She mocks her listeners saying she is not Red Riding Hood but is instead an independent and confident woman. The chorus of the song is a metaphor, as Blossom questions why a man would play hard to get when he is supposedly not interested in her. She tells her suitor to leave her alone and stop wasting her time, comparing her attention to a tree that he is shaking, saying that she has her own "orchid" to tend to.
Blossom's character is complex, as she seems to challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. Instead of being passive or submissive, she boldly asserts herself as a woman who wants to be in control of her romantic relationships. The line "Grey Brown told me that I was built for speed" is particularly notable, as it suggests Blossom may not conform to or be bound by societal standards of beauty, but values her own strength and vitality. The song overall is a playful and humorous take on romantic pursuit and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Blossom
Introducing herself as Blossom
I was raised in a lions den
She was raised in a tough environment
My nightly occupation
Her occupation during the night
Stealing other womens men
She is stealing men from other women
I'm an evil evil woman
She sees herself as an evil woman
But I want to do a man some good
Despite that, she wants to do some good for a man
I'm Gina Lola Bridgietta
Gina Lola Bridgietta is her nickname or alter ego
I ain't red riding hood
She is not a simple and innocent woman like Red Riding Hood
If you don't like my peaches, baby, why do you shake my tree?
Asking a man why he bothers her if he doesn't like her
Get out of my orchid, baby
She wants the man to leave her alone
Let my peach tree be
She wants her life to be her own
Now don't you ooh skoodla doo skoodli dee
Telling the man not to sweet talk her
And I won't ya ya doo doo
She won't respond with sweet talk either
If you don't ooh skookdla doo
If the man doesn't sweet talk her
Then I won't ya ya doo doo
She won't respond with sweet talk either
Some men like me cause I'm happy
Some men like her because she is happy
Some think I'm snappy
Some think she is quick and smart
Some call me honey
Some call her honey
And some think I've got
Some think she has something valuable
But Grey Brown told me that I was built for speed
Someone named Grey Brown thinks she is built for speed
You put them all together
All of her qualities put together
Everything a good man needs
Her qualities make her everything a good man needs
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Hussli
Fantastic tune!
Kevin Knighton
I so love this woman ... damn another time place and space. Dearie knew how the deliver the goods with sass and class.
Yolanda Luz Castello
Huuyyy! Demasiado. Demasiado. Qué grande esta mujer!
PAUL BOOTH
Blossom's Blues. "Everything a good man needs" Like your style, Dearie.
C. Mayo
"But Ray Brown told me I was built for speed..." - nothing like a pithy Ray Brown homage!
Raul Richards
Fantastic Lady, WoW. Great backing Musicians, specially Ray Brown (Master Bassist).♪♬♫♪Thanks.
Corvus
This song is so badass
Charles Bannister
Patachou and Blossom Dearie are my top two!
C. Mayo
@Charles Bannister Thanks Charles! I listened to a couple of cuts and her voice really doesn't reach me (even in French!), but I'm always interested in hearing new stuff! Cheers!
Charles Bannister
@C. Mayo French singer. She is wonderful.