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.
the lady is a tramp
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad
But social circles spin too fast for me
My "hobohemia" is the place to be
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I never bother, with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's OK
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I follow Winchell, and read every line
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
That's why the lady is a tramp
The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald's song ‘The Lady is a Tramp’ present a picture of someone who is not interested in conforming to social expectations. The singer claims to have never wished for turkey despite having dined on mulligan stew, and seems to prefer to travel on foot and live the nomadic lifestyle of a ‘hobo’. Despite this, there is a sense of sadness when the singer claims to have missed the Beaux Arts Ball and never having attended a party honoring Noel Ca-ad. These events, although not specifically identified, represent the upper echelons of society which the singer has never been able to attain.
The chorus of the song highlights the singer's distaste for formality and social convention. She likes to eat when she is hungry, go to the theater, and have no time for people she does not like. The lady is a tramp because she rejects the expectations placed on her by society to conform to certain standards of behavior or dress. She does not play crap games with barons and earls or associate with other girls who dish dirt about people. She prefers a free and easy lifestyle, which includes going to Coney Island or following the news in Winchell's columns. This, in a sense, emancipates her from the restrictive social norms of the time, and it is as if the singer is saying that she is perfectly comfortable with who she is, whether it suits others or not.
Line by Line Meaning
I've wined and dined on Mulligan Stew, and never wished for Turkey
I have dined well, but I don't need more than that
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
I travel everywhere by foot to get the real life experience
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
I regret not being able to attend the Beaux Arts Ball
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad
I have never been to a party to honor Noel Coward
But social circles spin too fast for me
I can't keep up with the constantly changing social circles
My "hobohemia" is the place to be
I prefer the company of Hobos and their unique culture
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I always get hungry and don't want to wait for dinner to be served late
I like the theater, but never come late
I enjoy the theatre but prefer to arrive on time
I never bother, with people I hate
I don't waste my time with people I don't like
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is the reason I am considered a tramp
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
I don't enjoy playing games with high society people
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
I won't dress up and go to Harlem just to look glamorous
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
I won't gossip and talk badly about others like other women do
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why I am a tramp by society's standards
I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
I enjoy the feeling of fresh air blowing through my hair
Life without care
I live my life carefree without worry
I'm broke, it's OK
I am broke but it doesn't bother me
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
I dislike California because it is cold and damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why I am a tramp according to societal norms
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I like to visit Coney Island because the beach is beautiful
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I enjoy attending ball games and sitting in the bleachers
I follow Winchell, and read every line
I keep up with the tabloids and read every line written by Winchell
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why society calls me a tramp
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I enjoy watching real prize fights
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I love watching the boats rowing on Central Park lake
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
I enjoy operas and never fall asleep during them
That's why the lady is a tramp
This is why I am called a tramp by society
I like the green grass under my shoes
I like feeling the grass under my feet
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I have nothing to lose because I am broke
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
I am alone when I turn off the lamp to go to bed
That's why the lady is a tramp
The societal reasons for my trampdom remain applicable
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexandreseynaeve8251
Since I'm European. I've got to admit...honestly : America did provide the world with the best singers (ever).
@jackspry9736
RIP Frank Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998), aged 82
And
RIP Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), aged 79
You both will be remembered as legends.
@tomlaud
No crazy sets, no wind machines, no pyrotechnics, no back up dancers….just pure talent.
@MarCapa-ed5uv
No one half naked lol
@IgnoranceOfLife
hi, you are so right tbh, i completekt agree with your train of thought on this one tbh cvhoo choo thbe train has kleft thge station and it aint cvomingn bCK BABAY AND NO WAY ITS COINGBBA CJK OBA BY TBHJ
@paulmaes6054
Who could hold a candle to Ella...one of the few celebrities ..I asked for an autograph I was a star struck room service busboy. She snarled a little bit me her autograph. I gave the autograph to a man who was a dancer who reminded me of Fred Astaire ..... The Legendary Ella......
@daking589
Ella is sheer perfection. Every vocal choice she makes is always a stunning surprise.
@rosie8126
Ella was and still is the Queen of Jazz. The quality of sound, the pearls given to the mere mortals is a joy to behold that will last a lifetime. Glorious.
@ElizabethOpondo
“Ella Fitzgerald is the only performer with whom I’ve ever worked who made me nervous. Because I try to work up to what she does. You know, try to pull myself up to that height, because I believe she is the greatest popular singer in the world, barring none—male or female.” —Frank Sinatra
@nhatle4291
That's why she was such a tramp for him.