Satin Doll
Ella Fitzgerald / Count Basie Lyrics
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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 "Satin Doll" by Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie lay out a story of a man who is enamored by a woman who seems to be out of his league. He describes her in detail, noting how her cigarette holder and her posture as she looks over her shoulder both intrigue him. She is the "satin doll" of the song's title, a woman of grace and beauty that he would like to take out on the town, but he's careful not to come on too strong. He watches her from a distance, admiring the way she moves, and trying to decipher her Latin-influenced speech. He doesn't want to get caught up in anything too serious, but he can't help but be drawn to her.
The lyrics to this song are a masterful example of the romantic lyricism that was so popular in jazz during the mid-20th century. The careful phrasing and attention to detail in lines like "Switch-e-rooney / Telephone numbers well you know" are evidence of the craft of the songwriter. The song's melody is a classic example of the kind of upbeat jazz that was popular in the swing era, and it's easy to imagine couples dancing to it in ballrooms across the country.
Line by Line Meaning
Cigarette holder which wigs me
She holds her cigarette such that is visually appealing to me
Over her shoulder she digs me
She is giving me attention by looking back over her shoulder
Out cattin' that satin doll
She is out and about, enjoying the night life
Baby, shall we go out skippin'?
Would you like to go out and dance with me?
Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Be cautious, my friend, you are acting impulsively
Speaks Latin that satin doll
She has a mysterious allure about her
She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be
She is a smart woman, so I am being nonchalant and relaxed
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me
I will attempt to win her over, but I am not one to easily fall for a woman's charms
Swich-e-rooney
A playful expression of excitement
Telephone numbers well you know
I have many women's phone numbers, as you may imagine
Doing my rhumbas with uno
I am dancing the Rhumba, perhaps with just one partner
And that's my satin doll
That mysterious and alluring woman is the one I desire
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, JOHNNY MERCER, BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gwaithwyr
Brilliant.
@counciwillagray1797
Forever ""THE FIRST LADY OF SONG" and what can anyone say about the "COUNT BASIE?"
@deborahgeorgieva644
Cigarette holder which wigs me
Over her shoulder, he digs me.
Out cattin' that satin doll.
Baby, shall we go out skippin ?
Careful, amigo, you're flippin',
Speaks Latin that satin doll.
He'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 boy catching me,
Swich-e-rooney.
Telephone numbers well you know,
Doing my rhumbas with uno
And that'n my satin doll.