… 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
Sophisticated Lady
Blossom Dearie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just because you're caught in your social maze
I think it's 'bout time that you realize
Your money and your power's got you mesmerized
Pretty lady, get back
Pretty lady, yea
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
Educated lady with your college degree
Amazes me why you just can't see
Learned everything from your books on the shelf
But no one ever taught you how to think for yourself
Pretty lady, get back
Pretty lady, yea, sweet thing
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
Sophisticated lady take a lesson from me
I can help you be what you want to be
Together we'll see many brighter days
If it takes forever, gonna change your ways
Pretty lady, get back
Pretty lady, yea, sweet thing
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
The song "Sophisticated Lady" by Blossom Dearie is a critique of the societal expectations placed on women to conform to a certain image of sophistication and refinement. The singer speaks directly to the sophisticated lady, urging her to break free from the constraints of her social status and to be her authentic self. The first verse accuses the woman of trying to change the singer's ways, simply because the woman herself is caught up in her social maze. The singer challenges the woman to realize that her money and power have blinded her to what really matters in life.
In the second verse, the singer directly addresses the woman's education, suggesting that despite her college degree, she has not learned how to think for herself. The singer implores the woman to take a lesson from her, to put on her blue jeans and to be anybody's baby when her mama's gone. This is an obvious reference to the woman's lack of freedom and the extent to which she is trapped by her social status.
The final verse offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer suggests that she can help the sophisticated lady be what she wants to be. The repeated refrain of "pretty lady" is both a term of endearment and a reminder that the woman's beauty and elegance should not be the only things that define her. The song is a call to action, encouraging women to break free from the expectations placed upon them and to live freely and authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
Sophisticated lady tryin' to change my ways
You think you can change me just because you're caught up in the social world?
Just because you're caught in your social maze
You're too focused on your power and money to see the bigger picture
I think it's 'bout time that you realize
You need to wake up and see what's really important in life
Your money and your power's got you mesmerized
You're so consumed with your status that you're missing out on true happiness
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
Don't be afraid to let go of your high society image and be yourself
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
Without the security of your family and social circle, you're just like anyone else
Educated lady with your college degree
You may be educated, but you're lacking in common sense
Amazes me why you just can't see
It's surprising that with all your education, you're unable to see the reality of the situation
Learned everything from your books on the shelf
You've gained knowledge but lack practical life experience
But no one ever taught you how to think for yourself
You've been taught to follow society's rules rather than think and act on your own
Sophisticated lady take a lesson from me
Let me teach you how to break free from societal constraints and be yourself
I can help you be what you want to be
You don't have to conform to society's expectations; you can be whoever you want to be
Together we'll see many brighter days
By breaking free of societal expectations, we can create a better future for ourselves
If it takes forever, gonna change your ways
We'll keep working towards creating a better future, even if it takes a long time
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
Don't be afraid to let go of your high society image and be yourself
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
Without the security of your family and social circle, you're just like anyone else
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
Don't be afraid to let go of your high society image and be yourself
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
Without the security of your family and social circle, you're just like anyone else
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Kennedy Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eliz Naomi
Blossom is a jazz treasure, a giant. I love her feeling, her phrasing, both vocally and with her tasteful, swinging piano playing. Thank you for posting!
Graham Wellard
This is a very complex melody and she does it so well and yet without any seeming effort. Exquisite voicings in her accompaniment too. Brava, as always for Blossom!
bobzubb
succinct well crafted comment!
George deMan
Can't be in a rush with this one. You are essentially growing an orchid in your hand. Blossom could take me in hers any time.
Phil Pryor
We talked with this amazingly talented lady in a T V show dressing room. My piano colleague was a real great, and told her in loving tribute that her own accompaniment to her singing was faultless, sweet, appropriate. She was such an open and honest darling of art, with a touch unique, a taste sublime, a sense of the ridiculously honest state of it.
Find That Music!
Her voice really takes you away....daydreaming...RIP.
MrPoetPoetPoet
Yes, an enormous talent and so understated and sophisticated. I, too, miss her greatly. Saw her many times in the back room of the Ballroom in NYC.
jsphotos
Wow! Style. Class. TALENT! Inventiveness. Unparalleled interpretation. A jazz diamond.
CN S
Oh, those piano voicing and nuances! Such talent.
TheCaptainT
And her piano playing is perfect.