… 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
Peel Me a Grape
Blossom Dearie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Skin me a peach, save the fuzz for my pillow.
Talk to me nice, talk to me nice,
You've got to wine me and dine me!
Don't try to fool me, bejewel me!
Either amuse me or lose me,
I'm gettin' hungry, peel me a grape!
Pop me a cork, French me a fry,
Crack me a nut, bring me a bowl full of bon-bons!
Chill me some wine, keep standin' by,
I'm gettin' hungry, peel me!
Here's how to be an agreeable chap,
Love me and leave me in luxury's lap!
Hop when I holler, skip when I snap,
When I say "Do it!", jump to it!
Send out for scotch, boil me a crab,
Cut me a rose, make my tea with the petals!
Just hang around, pick up the tab,
Never out-think me, just mink me!
Polar bear rug me, don't bug me,
New Thunderbird me, you heard me!
I'm getting hungry, peel me a grape,
Slowly!
Here's how to be an agreeable chap,
Love me and leave me in luxury's lap!
Hop when I holler, skip when I snap,
When I say "Do it!", mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm!
Send out for scotch, boil me a crab,
Cut me a rose, make my tea with the petals!
Just hang around, pick up the tab,
Never out-think me, a-just mink me!
Polar bear rug me, don't bug me,
New Thunderbird me, you heard me!
I'm getting hungry, peel me a grape,
Peel me,
Peel me a grape!
The lyrics of Blossom Dearie’s “Peel Me a Grape” may seem superficial at first, as it depicts a woman who is demanding and expects to be taken care of. However, there is more to the song than just its surface level interpretation. The song is actually a satire, delivering a message about the objectification of women in society. It highlights the subjectivity of beauty and the way society views women as objects to be taken care of and consumed, instead of actual individuals.
Through the seemingly absurd demands of the woman in the song, the lyrics question the roles and expectations that have been assigned to women in romantic relationships. “Peel Me a Grape” suggests that society has created an image of women that is unattainable and unrealistic, and that it is time to shift our focus to genuine connections and mutual respect. The song uses humor to draw attention to this message - the idea of someone needing their grapes peeled for them is seen as ridiculous - but the message is quite serious under the surface.
Overall, “Peel Me A Grape” is a cleverly written song that conveys an important message about the way society views women. The lyrics are particularly noteworthy because of the way they use humor to make a serious statement, and the fact that they are still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Peel me a grape, crush me some ice,
Do me small and simple favors.
Skin me a peach, save the fuzz for my pillow.
Pay attention to the details and comfort.
Talk to me nice, talk to me nice,
Be polite and romantic.
You've got to wine me and dine me!
Treat me well and impress me!
Don't try to fool me, bejewel me!
Don't lie to me, buy me expensive things.
Either amuse me or lose me,
Entertain me or I'll leave.
I'm gettin' hungry, peel me a grape!
I want more attention, do something for me.
Pop me a cork, French me a fry,
Open a bottle, cook me dinner.
Crack me a nut, bring me a bowl full of bon-bons!
Put out a snack, indulge me.
Chill me some wine, keep standin' by,
Keep doing things for me when I ask.
Here's how to be an agreeable chap,
This is how to please me.
Love me and leave me in luxury's lap!
Treat me well and give me space.
Hop when I holler, skip when I snap,
Do what I ask, when I ask.
When I say 'Do it!', jump to it!
Be attentive to my requests.
Send out for scotch, boil me a crab,
Bring me alcohol and food.
Cut me a rose, make my tea with the petals!
Do sweet, romantic things for me.
Just hang around, pick up the tab,
Spend time with me and pay for things.
Never out-think me, just mink me!
Don't challenge me, just spoil me.
Polar bear rug me, don't bug me,
Provide luxurious things for me.
New Thunderbird me, you heard me!
Buy me a fancy car.
I'm getting hungry, peel me a grape,
I want more attention, do something for me.
Slowly!
Take your time doing things for me.
Peel me,
Do small and simple favors for me.
Peel me a grape!
Pay attention and take care of me in little ways.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Dave Frishberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arlene1934corwin
My dear friend Blossom! Ph boy, what chords, what voicings, what a touch, and of course, that voice - it never changed even as an older woman! Bless you Blossom, wherever in the universe you are now!
@laoisemurphy812
my jaw dropped when she started to sing, man she still had it all the way
@foodcommander
It was such a privilege to see her perform several times in this club. What a treasure she was. Extremely sophisticated, fun and eccentric, and a masterful pianist.
@1122redbird
Would have loved to see her perform. What a memory that must be. A treasure indeed, nicely said sir.
@maryclaremayo6157
Wasn't it! I saw her once here in Toronto and it was an absolute dream and so much fun.
@Painterwhite
Wonderful. A delight. We saw her here twice. TIME OUT Magazine at the time wrote a bad review of her performance. I wrote a letter to them in complaint and they actually printed it and an apology for the review.
@suzannabalabuch9611
Thank you for doing that! Blossom was such a gem and an inspired performer.
@lorrainesimon1108
Brent Pallas We also saw her ar Danny’s Skylight Room. Fabulous venue. Miss Dearie passed way too early. She was one of a kind. ❤️
@lovejazz42
My brain just fell into my mouth. I adore you, you are perfection and a true musician.
@pennysaffron2110
The perfect accompanist for her own perfect singing. A five star musician the likes of which we may never see again thanks to the overly cleaned up and contrived notions of the modern music industry. I say find them, in small smokey corners of bars and nightclubs because musicians of this calibrate are still out. Listen to them and be that small appreciative audience that Blossom lived for. Blossom... how you inspire!