Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Minnie the Moocher
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was a red hot hoochie coocher,
She was the roughest, toughest frail,
but Minnie had a heart as big as a whale.
Ho-dee ho-dee ho
Ho-dee ho-dee ho
Hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi
Hey-dee hey
Hey-dee hey
Whoah
Whoah
She messed around with a bloke named Smokey.
She loved him though was cokie,
he took her down to Chinatown
and he showed her how to kick the gong around.
Hey-dee hey-dee hey
Hey-dee hey-dee hey
Oy yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi
Oy yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi
Ay yi yi yi yi yi-oh
Ay yi yi yi yi yi-oh
Whoah
Whoah
She had a dream about the King of Sweden,
He gave her things that she was needin',
He gave her a home built of gold and steel,
a diamond car with the platinum wheel.
Hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi
Hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi
Hey-dee hey-dee hey-dee hey-dee hey
Hey-dee hey-dee hey-dee hey-dee hey
He gave her his townhouse and his racing horses,
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses,
She had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes,
She sat around and counted them all a million times.
Hi-dee hi-dee hi
Hi-dee hi-dee hi
Whoah
Whoah
Poor Min, poor Min, poor Min.
The song "Minnie the Moocher" by Bobby Darin is a tribute to a woman who was a red hot hoochie coocher and also the roughest and toughest woman around, but at the same time, had a heart as big as a whale. The song talks about Minnie being in love with a man named Smokey who took her to Chinatown and showed her how to "kick the gong around". Gong here refers to opium dens that were prevalent in Chinatown.
The song goes on to say that Minnie dreamt of the King of Sweden, who gave her everything she needed, including a home made of gold and steel and a car encrusted with diamonds. The chorus is made up of lively background singers who croon a catchy melody with the repeated phrases of "Hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi", "Hey-dee hey-dee hey-dee hey", and "Ho-dee ho-dee ho-dee ho".
The song, although seemingly about a fun-loving woman and her adventures, has a deep undercurrent of the struggles and hardships of women in the early 1900s. Women were often forced into prostitution due to lack of financial or social support, and the song implies that Minnie was no exception, given that she was a “hoochie coocher”. Also, the idea of "kickin' the gong around" is a reference to Minnie's addiction to opium, which was rampant in Chinatown.
Line by Line Meaning
Folks here's a story 'bout Minnie the Moocher,
Let me tell you a tale about Minnie the Moocher.
She was a red hot hoochie coocher,
She was quite the attractive, sensual woman.
She was the roughest, toughest frail,
Despite her toughness, she was still vulnerable.
but Minnie had a heart as big as a whale.
Minnie was still capable of great kindness and generosity.
Ho-dee ho-dee ho
An exclamation of joy and excitement.
Hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi
Another exclamation of excitement.
Hey-dee hey
Yet another exclamation of excitement.
Whoah
An expression of sudden surprise or realization.
She messed around with a bloke named Smokey.
She was involved with a guy named Smokey.
She loved him though was cokie,
Despite his faults, she still loved him.
he took her down to Chinatown
He took her to a seedy part of town.
and he showed her how to kick the gong around.
He introduced her to a life of vice and addiction.
Oy yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi
Another exclamation of excitement or surprise.
Ay yi yi yi yi yi-oh
Yet another exclamation of excitement or surprise.
She had a dream about the King of Sweden,
She had a fantasy about a wealthy and powerful man.
He gave her things that she was needin',
He provided for her every want and desire.
He gave her a home built of gold and steel,
He gave her an extravagant and luxurious residence.
a diamond car with the platinum wheel.
He gave her an expensive and unique mode of transportation.
He gave her his townhouse and his racing horses,
He gave her his lavish home and his prized horses.
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses,
She dined on extravagant and abundant meals.
She had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes,
She was wealthy beyond measure.
She sat around and counted them all a million times.
She was obsessed with her wealth.
Poor Min, poor Min, poor Min.
An expression of sympathy or pity for Minnie.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Cab Calloway, Clarence Gaskill, Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.