Satin Doll
Duke Ellington / Sir Roland Hanna / Billy Strayhorn Lyrics
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Out cattin' my satin doll
Baby, shall we go out steppin'? Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Speaks Latin, my satin doll
He's nobody's fool and I'm playing it cool as can be
I'll give it a whirl, but I ain't for no girl catching me, swich-e-rooney
Telephone numbers well you know; I'm doing my rumbas with uno
Telephone numbers well you know; I'm doing my rumbas with uno
And that and my satin doll, and that and my satin doll
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And that and my satin doll; what a doll
She is my satin doll
I had the craziest dream
In Duke Ellington's classic song Satin Doll, the lyrics paint a picture of a suave and confident man being impressed by a beautiful woman, who he refers to as his "satin doll." He mentions her smoking a cigarette with a holder, which adds to her allure, and how she digs him when he goes out "cattin'". The man asks the woman if they should go out "steppin'", but warns himself to be "careful" because he's falling for her. He even mentions how she speaks Latin, cementing her sophistication and intellect.
Despite being interested in the woman, the man still retains his sense of playfulness, mentioning how he's doing his "rumbas with uno" and not letting any one girl catch him. The repeated line about "telephone numbers well you know" adds to the casual and carefree nature of the song, showcasing the man's ability to attract multiple women. However, at the end of the song, he concedes that the satin doll is his favorite and declares "what a doll," solidifying his admiration for her.
Overall, Satin Doll is a song about the attraction and admiration between two people, with hints of playfulness and flirtation throughout. The lyrics use vivid imagery to create a sense of sophistication and charm, making it a classic in the jazz canon.
Line by Line Meaning
Cigarette holder which wigs me over my shoulder, she digs me
She's impressed by my sophistication and style, indicated by my casually held cigarette and my nonchalant toss of my hair.
Out cattin' my satin doll
I'm out having a good time with my beautiful companion.
Baby, shall we go out steppin'? Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Hey, sweetheart, do you want to go dancing? But be careful, my friend, you're acting foolish.
Speaks Latin, my satin doll
My companion is well-educated and can speak Latin fluently.
He's nobody's fool and I'm playing it cool as can be
I'm aware of the situation and acting calmly and irrationally.
I'll give it a whirl, but I ain't for no girl catching me, swich-e-rooney
I'll try my best, but I won't be tied down by any woman.
Telephone numbers well you know; I'm doing my rumbas with uno
I'm a ladies man, and I have many phone numbers. Right now, I'm dancing with one woman.
And that's my satin doll
This beautiful woman dancing with me is my companion, and I'm proud to be with her.
Telephone numbers well you know; I'm doing my rumbas with uno
I'm a ladies man, and I have many phone numbers. Right now, I'm dancing with one woman.
And that and my satin doll, and that and my satin doll
This beautiful companion of mine is everything to me.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm very excited and happy about this moment.
And that and my satin doll; what a doll
My companion is amazing; she's beautiful and sophisticated, and she's everything I could want.
She is my satin doll
This woman is mine, and I'm proud of her.
I had the craziest dream
I had a very vivid and intense dream.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind