Satin Doll
Duke Ellington;Billy Strayhorn;John H. Mercer Lyrics

The lyrics to Duke Ellington & Alice Babs's song, Satin Doll, paint a vivid picture of a woman who exudes both sophistication and playfulness. The opening lines, "Cigarette holder- which wigs me, Over her shoulder - she digs me," suggest that the woman is confident and in control. She is able to captivate the singer simply by holding a cigarette.

As the lyrics continue, we learn that the woman enjoys going out and having a good time, but the singer must be careful not to get too carried away. He describes her as a "satin doll", suggesting that she may be a bit of a socialite with expensive tastes. The line "She speaks Latin - that satin doll" adds to this image, as the ability to speak a foreign language was often seen as a sign of wealth and education.

The singer acknowledges that the woman is intelligent and not easily fooled, so he tries to play it cool and not reveal too much about his feelings. The lines "I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me" suggest that he is not looking for anything serious, but is willing to have some fun.

Overall, the lyrics to Satin Doll celebrate the glamour and excitement of city life, where people come together for socializing and dancing.