Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as "Lady Ella"… Read Full Bio ↴Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as "Lady Ella", and the "First Lady of Song", was an American jazz vocalist.

Louis Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was a trumpet player, singer, and bandleader, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of jazz.

Don Cha Go 'Way Mad
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics

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I must confess what you say is true
I had a rendezvous with somebody new
That's the only one I ever had
Baby, baby, don'cha go away mad

Cheatin' shows and it never goes
You got a reason to be mad I suppose
But she only was a passin' fad

Baby, don't you be mad

Her kind's a dime a dozen
And that's not the kind I want
Who'd ever dream your cousin
Would wander into that restaurant?

I understand that you feel upset
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Come on and kiss me just to show you're glad
Baby, baby, don'cha go away mad

Now, her kind's a dime a dozen
I should've passed her by
Who'd ever dream your cousin
Would come along and give us the eye?

I understand that you feel upset
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Come on and kiss me just to show you're glad
Baby, don'cha go away mad

Understand that you're quite upset
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Come on and kiss me just to show you're glad
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby

Baby, baby, baby, don'cha go 'way mad
Now, don'cha go away mad

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald's song "Don'cha Go 'Way Mad" tell a story about a person who admits to their partner that they have cheated on them with someone new. The singer confesses that despite the wrongdoing, the other person was just a passing phase and that they do not want to lose their partner's affection. The singer attempts to pacify their betrayed lover by acknowledging that they have a right to be angry but also tries to convince them to forgive and forget.

The song's opening lines, "I must confess what you say is true, I had a rendezvous with somebody new," immediately establish the theme of the song. The singer admits to having an affair, but tries to contextualize it by characterizing it as a fleeting experience that does not hold any significance to their core relationship. Although the singer's tone is apologetic, there is also a sense of pleading and desperation as they beg their partner not to leave them, singing "baby, baby, don'cha go away mad".

The song acknowledges the hurt, embarrassment, and anger that the betrayed party feels, with the line, "Cheatin' shows and it never goes, You got a reason to be mad I suppose," but counters it with the assurance that the infidelity was nothing more than an insignificant dalliance. The singer tries to justify their actions by portraying the other person as unimportant: "Her kind's a dime a dozen, And that's not the kind I want."

Overall, "Don'cha Go 'Way Mad" is a song about apology, forgiveness, and the desire to hold on to someone you love. The singer is not trying to excuse their behavior but is trying to save the relationship they have with their partner.

Line by Line Meaning

I must confess what you say is true
I acknowledge that what you're saying is the truth

I had a rendezvous with somebody new
I had a meeting with someone new

That's the only one I ever had
That's the only one that happened

Baby, baby, don'cha go away mad
Please don't be angry, my love

Cheatin' shows and it never goes
Cheating is evident and it never ends well

You got a reason to be mad I suppose
I understand why you would be upset

But she only was a passin' fad
But she was only a temporary attraction

Baby, don't you be mad
Please don't be angry, my love

Her kind's a dime a dozen
People like her are very common

And that's not the kind I want
I don't want someone like her

Who'd ever dream your cousin
Who would have ever thought your relative