Satin Doll
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Lyrics


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Cigarette holder which wigs me
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
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me

Swich-e-rooney
Telephone numbers well you know




Doing my rhumbas with uno
And that's my satin doll

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Duke Ellington & His Orchestra's song Satin Doll speak of a man's interest in a woman who is beautiful and sophisticated. The cigarette holder and the way it is held over the woman's shoulder catches the man's attention, and he is instantly hooked. The woman speaks Latin and seems to be sharp-witted and intelligent, making the man feel the need to play it cool around her.


The lyrics suggest a playful and flirtatious interaction between the man and the woman. They discuss going out "skippin'" and "doing rhumbas." The man is aware that the woman has many suitors and is careful as not to fall victim to her charms. He sees her as a challenge but is willing to take the risk.


The lyrics of Satin Doll depict a light-hearted and upbeat atmosphere, punctuated by the catchy melody and Duke Ellington's iconic orchestra. The song is a classic for good reason and has stood the test of time, keeping audiences entertained for decades.


Line by Line Meaning

Cigarette holder which wigs me
She smokes in style by holding the cigarette in a holder, which fascinates me.


Over her shoulder she digs me
She looks back at me and shows mutual attraction.


Out cattin' that satin doll
She is out and about, enjoying herself like a free spirit.


Baby, shall we go out skippin'?
Can we go out dancing or have a good time together?


Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Hey, be careful, buddy, you're getting too excited.


Speaks Latin that satin doll
She has a certain charm and elegance, as if speaking in a romantic language like Latin.


She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be
She is smart and confident, so I'm trying to act calm and collected around her.


I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me
I'll try to pursue her, but I won't be easily caught or tamed by any woman.


Swich-e-rooney
Just an enthusiastic exclamation, as if a switch was flicked and excitement turned on.


Telephone numbers well you know
She's so popular with men that she has many phone numbers to give out.


Doing my rhumbas with uno
We're dancing our rhumbas together, just the two of us.


And that's my satin doll
She is the embodiment of beauty, style, and grace, the one and only satin doll.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Jabbarjohnson

For a video to be almost 60 years old the quality is amazing!

@wowanothercookie

Agreed!!

@jwguitar

You know I was thinking the exact same thing while I was watching this!

@wertj3977

If you read the descrption, it's because the film had been remastered.

@Jabbarjohnson

@Tee Well they did a pretty darn good job of remastering. Kudos to those who did it.

@caricatureparty

Wow. I thought it was 1980.

23 More Replies...

@bundolo48

“If it sounds good, it IS good.”

― Duke Ellington

@earlrobicheaux2632

Most people will never understand. It is what is behind the notes. RIP Duke.

@coolb1droid640

indeed indeed.

@lxuaes6915

@Cool B1 Droid can you explain the above comment to me? behind the notes?

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