She is widely considered one of the supreme interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Over a recording career that lasted 59 years, she was the winner of 13 Grammy Awards and was awarded the National Medal of Art by Ronald Reagan and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H. W. Bush.
Satin Doll
Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, JOHNNY MERCER, BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abigail Davis
Cigarette holder- wich 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
Telephone numbers - well you know
Doing my rhumbas - with uno
And that'n my satin doll
재준
Cigarette holder which wigs me Over his 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 try but, I ain't for no guy catching me
Telephone numbers well, you know, Doing my rhumbas, with uno, And that my satin doll
Cigarette holder which wigs me Over his 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 try but, I ain't for no guy catching me
Telephone numbers well, you know, Doing my rhumbas, with uno, And that my satin doll
And that my satin doll
soup_rat :D
Oh my goodness, my jazz band instructor wants us to "mimic" the techniques she does with her voice and add some "spice" to our playing for our auditions. But I'm a little overwhelmed, can't you hear how much she is adding to her singing, growls, vibrato, and so much more. Wow
Veronica
Good luck
NHMO OYTIS
Ella the Queen! What talent!
Nellie K. Adaba
Yes
Hellen King-Denman
Queen Ella 👑🙏❤
Lu Kennedy
THE QUEEN.... NOTHING ELSE TO SAY!!!!!
Abigail Davis
Cigarette holder- wich 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
Telephone numbers - well you know
Doing my rhumbas - with uno
And that'n my satin doll
All That Jazz Don Kaart
That's some kind of slang.. Now can you translate it to English?
Lu Kennedy
THE QUEEN.... NOTHING ELSE TO SAY
Thaxton Waters
Richard Pryor gave me more insight into the meaning of this song.🎩