Satin Doll
Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington 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 Satin Doll by Ella Fitzgerald are about a man who is in love with a woman who he describes as a "satin doll." The woman is sophisticated, elegant, and glamorous, and the man is completely smitten with her. The first stanza of the song introduces the woman and her style. The man describes her as having a cigarette holder which wigs him and being someone who digs him over her shoulder. He is enchanted by her and loves to see her out on the town.


In the second stanza, the man asks the woman to go out with him, but she warns him to be careful. She speaks Latin and is nobody's fool, which suggests that she is intelligent and possibly hard to impress. The man is playing it cool, but he wants to win her over. He ends the stanza by saying that he will give it his best shot but that he is not willing to be caught by any girl.


Overall, the lyrics of Satin Doll are about a man who is captivated by a beautiful and sophisticated woman. He is willing to do whatever it takes to impress her, but he is also cautious and does not want to get his heart broken.


Line by Line Meaning

Cigarette holder which wigs me
The sight of her holding a cigarette holder is so captivating, it elevates my mood


Over her shoulder she digs me
She was aware of my presence behind her and showed interest towards me


Out cattin' that satin doll
She was out and about, enjoying herself in her finest attire


Baby, shall we go out skippin'?
Would you like to go out and have some fun?


Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Be cautious, my friend, you seem to be losing control


Speaks Latin that satin doll
She has clever and witty ways of communicating with others


She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be
She is smart and won't be taken advantage of, so I need to act composed around her


I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me
I will try my best to impress her, but I won't let myself be trapped in a relationship


Swich-e-rooney
A playful interjection with no real meaning


Telephone numbers well you know
I have many phone numbers from previous encounters with women


Doing my rhumbas with uno
I am dancing the rhumba with one woman in particular


And that's my satin doll
She is the woman I am referring to throughout the song, my special '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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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@kassandraaaj

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'n my satin doll.



@minakiriakos7081

Cigarette holder- which wigs me
Over my shoulder - he digs me
Out cattin' - that satin doll
Baby shall we go - out skippin'
Careful amigo - you're flippin'
Speaks Latin - my 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
Telephone numbers - well you know
Doing my rhumbas - with uno
And that'n my satin doll



@TOBI-sr1fq

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



@clarefee

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'n my satin doll.



All comments from YouTube:

@SmiggzYh

Such absolute control over her voice! She sings like Duke tinkles on his piano. No, she can do more than with a regular instrument. This is why the voice is so powerful, and underappreciated by those who use it. It's not just about being able to hit high notes or sing powerfully, there's a whole range of abilities which can be tapped into. If only we were brave enough to make ourselves vulnerable.

@lorawagers9283

Every time I hear this song, the memories of my grandfather come flooding back. He was a wonderful man, and fantastic musician.

@TheRealAliceSnow

Ella Fitzgerald was a singer improviser an all-around great person and performer she was very gracious to her audience and very humble I know no one is supposed to be perfect but musically in my honest opinion you cannot get any better than Ella Fitzgerald perfecto number one cannot be touched.......

@spark_6710

The Real Alice Snow INDEED!!!

@BrookeTalksToHerself

I've just learnt this part on trumpet, and I couldn't help falling in love with this song! ^w^

@pignatari48

A hundred years may come, but there is one Ella, one Duke and one Satin Doll.
Thanks to some God, we can hear them together in this time.

@rayinpau.s.a.6351

I cannot agree more ! , sounds like you have an ear for music and talent ! .

@pignatari48

RayinPa U.S.A. First I hear with my hearth, and after with mind and memory, using what I have learned  in 78 years listening music.

@freemanrabe4689

If I',m not mistaken, it's an awesome God you're saying?😂

@hiramyawicks1287

Certainly the best version of Satin doll!

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