Sophisticated Lady
Clark Terry & Red Mitchell Lyrics


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Sophisticated lady tryin' to change my ways
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
You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Sophisticated Lady" address a woman who is trapped by her social status, wealth, and education. The singer, likely a man, urges her to break free from her gilded cage and learn to think for herself. The lyrics suggest that the woman's wealth and education have made her conformist and limited her personal freedom. The singer urges her to put on her blue jeans and become more approachable, emphasizing that her fancy clothes and degree do not define her. In the final stanza, the singer offers to help her become what she wants to be and to see brighter days together.


The message of the lyrics is about breaking free from societal expectations and finding one's true identity. It suggests that it is possible to move beyond a materialistic and conformist perspective and learn to live a more authentic life. By urging the sophisticated lady to put on her blue jeans, the singer challenges her to let go of her status and embrace a more relaxed and open way of being. Overall, the song is a call for people to be true to themselves and to resist the pressures of society to conform.


Line by Line Meaning

Sophisticated lady tryin' to change my ways
This highly cultured woman is trying to change my behavior


Just because you're caught in your social maze
It's only because you're trapped in your upper-class circle


I think it's 'bout time that you realize
You need to understand that your wealth and power have you under their spell


Your money and your power's got you mesmerized
You're bewitched by your riches and influence


Pretty lady, get back
Attractive woman, retreat from your high standards


Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
Sophisticated lady, dress down and be accessible


You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
When you let your guard down, you become vulnerable


Educated lady with your college degree
You're well-educated with a college degree


Amazes me why you just can't see
It's surprising to me how you can't see what's really important


Learned everything from your books on the shelf
You've learned all your knowledge from formal education and not from life experience


But no one ever taught you how to think for yourself
You lack the ability to think independently


Sophisticated lady take a lesson from me
Listen to what I have to say, sophisticated lady


I can help you be what you want to be
I can assist you in becoming the person you want to be


Together we'll see many brighter days
We'll have a more optimistic future if we work together


If it takes forever, gonna change your ways
I'll do whatever it takes to help you change your behavior


Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
Sophisticated lady, dress down and be accessible


You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
When you let your guard down, you become vulnerable


Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on
Sophisticated lady, dress down and be accessible


You're anybody's baby when your mama's gone
When you let your guard down, you become vulnerable




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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