Born in tiny North, South Carolina to Mamie Kitt, who was of Cherokee and African-American descent, and an American father (surname Kitt) of German and Dutch descent, she was raised by her maternal aunt Anna Mae Riley, whom she believed was her mother up until after Riley's death, when she was sent to live in New York City with her real mother.
Kitt began her career as a member of the Katherine Dunham Company and made her film debut with them in Casbah (1948). A talented singer with a distinctive voice, her hits include Let's Do It, C'est Si Bon (It's So Good), Just an Old Fashioned Girl, Monotonous, Love for Sale, I'd Rather Be Burned as a Witch, Uska Dara, Mink, Schmink, Under the Bridges of Paris, and arguably her most recognizable hit, the sexily sung Christmas song Santa Baby. She sang quite a few songs in French, a language she picked up during her years performing in Europe, but she never lost her American accent, which made her French songs sound rather amusing to native French speakers. She dabbled in other languages as well, which she demonstrated in many of the live recordings of her cabaret performances.
In 1950, Orson Welles gave her her first starring role, as Helen of Troy in his staging of Dr. Faustus. A few years later, she was cast in the revue New Faces of 1952, introducing "Monotonous", "C'est Si Bon" and "Santa Baby", three songs with which she continues to be identified. During her run, 20th Century Fox filmed a version of the play. Welles and Kitt allegedly had a torrid affair during her run in Shinbone Alley, which earned her the nickname by Welles as "the most exciting woman in the world". In 1958, Kitt made her feature film debut opposite Sidney Poitier in The Mark of the Hawk. Throughout the rest of the 1950s and early 1960s, Kitt would work on and off in film, television and on nightclub stages. In the late 1960s television series Batman, she played Catwoman after Julie Newmar left the role. This was the role for which she would best be remembered, owing to her purring feline drawl.
In 1968, however, Kitt encountered a substantial professional setback after she made anti-war statements during a White House luncheon that reportedly made First Lady Lady Bird Johnson weep uncontrollably. Professionally exiled from the U.S., she devoted her energies to overseas performances before returning to New York in a triumphant turn in the Broadway spectacle Timbuktu! (a version of the perennial Kismet set in Africa) in 1978. In the musical, one song gives a 'recipe' for mahoun, a preparation of cannabis, in which her sultry purring rendition of the refrain "constantly stirring with a long wooden spoon" was distinctive.
In 1984, she returned to hit music with a dance song, Where Is My Man; the first certified Gold record of her career. Kitt found new audiences in nightclubs across the country, including a whole new generation of gay male fans, and she responded by frequently giving benefit performances in support of HIV/AIDS organizations.
In 2000, Kitt again returned to Broadway in the short but notable run of the revival of the 1920s-themed, The Wild Party, opposite Mandy Patinkin and Toni Collette. In 2003, she replaced Chita Rivera in Nine. In recent years she had also appeared as the Wicked Witch in the North American national touring company of The Wizard of Oz.
One of her more unusual roles was as Kaa the python in a 1994 BBC Radio adaptation of The Jungle Book. Kitt lent her distinctive voice to the role of Yzma in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove and also did other voiceover work such as the voice of Queen Vexus on the animated TV series My Life as a Teenage Robot. She continued her role as Yzma on the spin-off TV series of The Emperor's New Groove, The Emperor's New School.
In recent years, Kitt's annual appearances in New York made her a fixture of the Manhattan cabaret scene. She took the stage at venues such as the Ballroom and, more recently, the Café Carlyle to explore and define her highly stylized image, alternating between signature songs (such as "Old Fashioned Millionaire"), which emphasized a witty, mercenary world-weariness, and less familiar repertoire, much of which she performed with an unexpected ferocity and bite that presented her as a survivor with a seemingly bottomless reservoir of resilience - her version of Here's to Life, frequently used as a closing number, was a sterling example of the latter. This side of her later performances is reflected in at least one of her recordings, Thinking Jazz, which preserves a series of performances with a small jazz combo that took place in the early 1990s in Germany, and which includes both standards (Smoke Gets in Your Eyes) and numbers (such as Something May Go Wrong) that seem more specifically tailored to her talents; one version of the CD includes as bonus performances a fierce, angry Yesterdays and a live take of "C'est Si Bon" that good-humoredly satirizes her sex-kitten persona.
Personal life
Kitt was married to John William McDonald, an associate of a real-estate investment company, from 1960 to 1965. They had one child, a daughter, Kitt (b. 1962, married Charles Lawrence Shapiro); and two grandchildren, Jason and Rachel Shapiro.
Eartha Kitt died of colon cancer on Christmas Day, December 25, 2008.
I Don't Care
Eartha Kitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't care they can gammor all day
If they dare try to get in my way
They're aware I don't care what they say
Either way I will do as I please
Come what may if they're down on their knees
Who can say if I'm doing it wrong
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the trendies may do
I don't care what they tell me is new
It's so square, monkey see monkey do
Let them stare I'm enjoying the view
Through the years I have paid them don't mind
Through the tears I have left them behind
By their fears do you think I'm afraid
No my dears not the slightest phase
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care…
Some are sad, they say my taste is extreme
Some get mad, because the Kitt gets the cream
I have had the eyes of all of the world
Not too bad for a material girl
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care…
Some are sad, they say my taste is extreme
Some get mad, because the Kitt gets the cream
I have had the eyes of all of the world
Not too bad for a material girl
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way...
The lyrics of Eartha Kitt's song "I Don't Care" convey a strong sense of self-confidence and defiance against societal expectations and criticism. The repeated statement "I don't care" signifies the artist's indifference to the opinions and judgments of others. The song addresses various groups: the gossips, the trendies, the people, and asserts that their opinions hold no sway over the artist's actions or choices.
The artist emphasizes their autonomy and agency, declaring that they will do as they please regardless of what others might think or say. They are unafraid to stand up against those who try to hinder their path. The line "Either way I will do as I please, come what may if they're down on their knees" suggests an unwavering determination to follow their own path, even if it goes against popular opinion or societal norms.
Kitt challenges the notion of conformity and the pressure to follow trends unquestioningly. She sees it as a dull and unoriginal approach to life, describing it as "monkey see monkey do." Instead, she chooses to march to the beat of her own drum, confidently declaring her enjoyment of life and the unique perspective that comes with it.
Throughout the song, Kitt reflects on her past experiences, alluding to the criticism and judgment she has faced. However, she dismisses it as irrelevant and insignificant. The line "Through the years I have paid them don't mind, through the tears I have left them behind" suggests that she has learned to let go of negative influences and move forward, undeterred by others' fears and insecurities.
The lyrics also touch on the artist's success and fame, acknowledging that some may be envious or resentful. However, Kitt remains unapologetic about her accomplishments, proudly stating that she has captured the attention of the world. She sarcastically refers to herself as a "material girl," shrugging off any criticisms that may arise from her perceived materialistic lifestyle.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Don't Care" celebrate individuality, resilience, and self-assurance. They champion the idea of staying true to oneself, unapologetically embracing personal choices, and disregarding the opinions of others. Eartha Kitt's confident delivery and unapologetic attitude in this song serve as an inspiring anthem for anyone facing criticism or trying to navigate their own path.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't care what the gossips may say
I am unaffected by the rumors and gossip that circulate about me
I don't care they can gammor all day
Their idle chatter and meaningless talk holds no significance to me
If they dare try to get in my way
Should they have the audacity to obstruct my path or goals
They're aware I don't care what they say
They already know that I am indifferent to their opinions
Either way I will do as I please
Regardless of the circumstances, I will continue to act according to my own desires
Come what may if they're down on their knees
No matter what happens, even if they beg or plead
Who can say if I'm doing it wrong
No one can truly judge whether my actions are misguided
For today I'm still here I am strong
Because I am still present and resilient in the face of adversity
I don't care what the people saying
I remain unconcerned about the opinions and judgments of others
I will still carry on this way
I will continue to live my life in the same manner
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
They can mock and criticize all they want
I'm still here if I misbehave
But I will persist even if I am seen as rebellious or defiant
I don't care what the trendies may do
I am uninterested in following the latest trends or fads
I don't care what they tell me is new
Their attempts to convince me that something is innovative or fresh hold no sway over me
It's so square, monkey see monkey do
Their imitation and conformity is dull and uninteresting
Let them stare I'm enjoying the view
They can gaze or be amazed while I take pleasure in my own perspective
Through the years I have paid them don't mind
Over time, I have endured their criticisms without allowing them to affect me
Through the tears I have left them behind
Through my emotional struggles, I have moved past their negativity
By their fears do you think I'm afraid
Do you believe that I would be frightened by their insecurities and anxieties?
No my dears not the slightest phase
No, my dear, they do not have even the smallest impact on me
Some are sad, they say my taste is extreme
There are some individuals who lament that my preferences are too unconventional
Some get mad, because the Kitt gets the cream
Some become angry out of envy or resentment because I find success
I have had the eyes of all of the world
The attention and admiration of people from all corners of the globe have been bestowed upon me
Not too bad for a material girl
This level of achievement is not too shabby for someone who is perceived as superficial or focused on material possessions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACQUES MORALI, BRUCE VILANCH, FREDERICK ZARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
frankielovemrears
I don't care what the gossips may say
I don't care they can gammor all day
If they dare try to get in my way
They're aware I don't care what they say
Either way I will do as I please
Come what may if they're down on their knees
Who can say if I'm doing it wrong
For today I'm still here I am strong
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the trendies may do
I don't care what they tell me is new
It's so square, monkey see monkey do
Let them stare I'm enjoying the view
Through the years I have paid them don't mind
Through the tears I have left them behind
By their fears do you think I'm afraid
No my dears not the slightest phase
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care,
Some are sad, they say my taste is extreme
Some get mad, because the Kitt gets the cream
I have had the eyes of all of the world
Not too bad for a material girl
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care,
Some are sad, they say my taste is extreme
Some get mad, because the Kitt gets the cream
I have had the eyes of all of the world
Not too bad for a material girl
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way
Let them jeer let them rant and rave
I'm still here if I misbehave
I don't care what the people saying
I will still carry on this way...
Amanda vegan for the animals
There's never been or ever going to be another woman like Eartha. She was awesome in every way. 👏 love her ❤
DGray78
I know I miss her on Batman LOL!
D C
So true!
Mark MA
well thank goodness!
Nick Pavia
I hope you have gone back to eating meat. Plants don't have over 15 nutrients essential for human life.
Alexis M
She was an under appreciated icon.
RIXRADvidz
again, another one with no sense of History. Eartha Kitt was a major player in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's to the point that it got her blackballed in America and she had to go to Europe to keep her career going, it wasn't until the 1980's that she returned to the World Stage from Europe and America suddenly rediscovered their darling sweet heart, Miss Eartha Kitt. she's not Under Appreciated, perhaps by the current herd of anthropoid hominids, but 'In The Day' she was a very well known and appreciated performer, humanitarian.
youparejo
@RIXRADvidz I agree. But I think she sould be more remembered now. Her talent, Charisma and personal convictions/activism makes her extra ordinary
Mario Caffari
@TemujinMSM Hi. her Spirit is still around
Rob Parker
Not under appreciated by me!