The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era. The band survived the late-forties decline in big band popularity and went on to produce notable collaborations with singers such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald in the fifties and sixties. The group continued to perform and record as a ‘ghost band’ after Count Basie’s death, and are currently under the leadership of Bill Hughes.
See also http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/Count+Basie+and+His+Orchestra
Satin Doll
Count Basie & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over her shoulder she digs me
Out cattin' that satin doll
Baby, shall we go out skippin'?
Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Speaks Latin that satin doll
She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be
Swich-e-rooney
Telephone numbers well you know
Doing my rhumbas with uno
And that's my satin doll
The lyrics to Count Basie's song Satin Doll describe a woman who holds a cigarette holder and is very attractive. The singer is interested in her and suggests that they go out "cattin'" or looking around, but is warned to be careful. The woman speaks Latin and is "nobody's fool," so the singer plays it cool. He's willing to give it a shot, but doesn't want to be caught by any girl.
The lyrics convey a sense of admiration and attraction to the woman, but also a careful approach to the potential relationship. The use of slang phrases like "cattin'" and "switch-e-rooney" give the song a lively, upbeat feel. The mention of rhumbas suggests a sense of dancing and movement, further adding to the playful tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Cigarette holder which wigs me
I feel sophisticated smoking a cigarette from a long holder when I'm with her
Over her shoulder she digs me
She likes me and gives me attention, as she looks back over her shoulder
Out cattin' that satin doll
Going out with her, having a good time to show off my cool 'satin doll' (attractive woman) companion
Baby, shall we go out skippin'?
Hey, do you want to go out dancing or skip around together?
Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Be careful, friend, you're acting too lively or crazy
Speaks Latin that satin doll
My satin doll speaks like an intelligent, educated person
She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be
She's smart and won't be tricked, so I'm keeping things cool and playing it safe not to show too much interest
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me
I'll try to win her over, but I'm not going to let myself fall too hard or be caught in love with her
Swich-e-rooney
I'm switching things up, doing something unexpected and exciting
Telephone numbers well you know
I'm getting lots of phone numbers from women, you know how it is
Doing my rhumbas with uno
I'm dancing my rhumbas (a Latin American dance) with just one girl
And that's my satin doll
She's the one I'm bragging about, showing off as my attractive companion
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@warrendoris9669
Jazz royalty! Great seeing the pics of these two greats hanging out. Great version of a great song. Trumpet solo was mellow to the max. Great post!👍😎
@farenh4816
Gracias por su comentario. Saludos. Thank you for your comment. Greetings.
@kellyanastasia2752
This is just outstanding. Wonderful sound quality and the photo montage is excellent. Thank you so much for posting!
@farenh4816
Gracias por su comentario. Thank you for your comment.
@vladimirkrasotkin8194
Нет такого драйва ни одного оркестра, это жизнь и супер мастерство.Такими нужно родиться, этому не научиться.
@drboogienobama4999
This music, this mood, this era will never be duplicated again. I thank God I was part of it.
@jazzcornertv
Don't speak so fast. We may be young but we sure going to make a very good copy. Note for Note, Yes, we have lost of good material to pick from. We are in good hands. (lol)
@sherrypeterson9025
Me too!
@johnk8174
And i'm part of it through YouTube :-). These times are also just amazing, musically, if only that there is such easy and plentiful access to music like this.
@3deeguy
@Jazz Corner Please hurry, the world needs big band music! I recently listened to songs like "Lush Life" written by Billy Strayhorn when he was only 16 years old. I listened to several great jazz singers sing it. My eyes got moist when I thought about what blares from cars today. I'm 68, Motown was big but swing was still played on the radio.