Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known as Chaka Khan, and… Read Full Bio ↴Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known as Chaka Khan, and frequently referred to as the "Queen of Funk", is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus.

In 1964, at the age of 11, Khan formed her first musical group, the Crystalettes. While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working on the Black Panthers' breakfast program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, the Babysitters — neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form Rufus.

Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled effort on the ABC label, Rufus was among the preeminent funk groups of the decade. Distinguished by Khan's dynamic vocals, the group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums.

While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and solo, include "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire".

Goldfinger
Chaka Khan Lyrics

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Goldfinger, he's the man, the man with the Midas touch
A spider's touch
Such a cold finger beckons you to enter his web of sin
But don't go in

Golden words he will pour in your ear
But his lies can't disguise what you fear
For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her

It's the kiss of death from Mister

Goldfinger, pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold
This heart is cold

Golden words he will pour in your ear
But his lies can't disguise what you fear
For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her
It's the kiss of death from Mister

Goldfinger, pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold
This heart is cold
He loves only gold
Only gold
He loves gold
He loves only gold

Only gold
He loves gold!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chaka Khan's song "Goldfinger" are an allusion to the iconic James Bond villain Auric Goldfinger, who is known for his obsession with gold and his penchant for exploiting others for his own gain. The song warns against the dangers of falling under Goldfinger's spell, as he lures people into his web of sin with his golden voice and promises of wealth and power. However, the golden girl mentioned in the song knows the truth: that the kiss of Goldfinger brings only death.

The lyrics play on the themes of greed, deception, and manipulation that are central to the character of Goldfinger. He is portrayed as a spider, weaving a web of lies and traps to ensnare his victims, who are powerless to resist his Midas touch. The contrast between the coldness of his heart and the warmth of his words further emphasizes his villainous nature, as he uses his charm to mask his true intentions. The repetition of the phrase "he loves only gold" reinforces his single-minded obsession with wealth and material possessions.

Overall, "Goldfinger" is a clever and catchy song that pays tribute to one of cinema's most memorable villains. Its lyrics serve as a cautionary tale against the dangers of blindly following those who offer false promises and empty words.

Line by Line Meaning

Goldfinger, he's the man, the man with the Midas touch
Goldfinger is a man who has the ability to turn everything he touches into gold.

A spider's touch
Goldfinger's touch is like that of a spider - cold and calculating, beckoning you into his web of sin.

Such a cold finger beckons you to enter his web of sin
Goldfinger's touch is cold and inviting, luring you into a trap of deceit and corruption.

But don't go in
The singer advises not to fall for Goldfinger's seduction and end up in his web of lies.

Golden words he will pour in your ear
Goldfinger will use smooth and flattering words to persuade you to his side.

But his lies can't disguise what you fear
Despite his smooth-talking, Goldfinger's lies cannot hide the feeling of danger that he gives off.

For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her
Women who have had intimate relationships with Goldfinger know that it's an omen of impending doom.

It's the kiss of death from Mister
Goldfinger's kiss symbolizes death, suggesting that his intentions are nefarious.

Goldfinger, pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold
Women should be wary of Goldfinger's seemingly good intentions, as his heart is made of gold but is also cold and treacherous.

This heart is cold
Goldfinger's heart may be made of gold, but it is also devoid of compassion, making him a dangerous person to be around.

He loves only gold
Goldfinger is obsessed with obtaining wealth and treasures, without caring about people or their feelings.

Only gold
The only thing that matters to Goldfinger is gold, as it symbolizes power, status and luxury in his eyes.

He loves gold
Goldfinger's love for gold is all-consuming and overpowering, making him a ruthless and unpredictable individual.

He loves only gold
Goldfinger's love for gold is the only thing that motivates him, driving him to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

Only gold
Gold is the sole focus of Goldfinger's life, dictating his actions and controlling his emotions.

He loves gold!
Goldfinger's obsession with gold is so strong that it is the only thing capable of bringing him any sort of happiness and fulfillment.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN BARRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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