Baby Don't You Go Way Mad
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra Lyrics


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I must confess what you say is true
I had a rendezvous with somebody new
(But) that's the only one I ever had
Baby, baby, don'cha go 'way mad

Cheatin' shows and it never goes
You've got a reason to be mad I suppose
But she only was a passing fad
Baby, don'cha be mad

Her kind's a dime a dozen
And that's not the kind I want (I should have passed her by)
Who'd ever dream your cousin
Would wander in to that restaurant (would come along and give us the eye)?

I understand that you feel (you're quite) upset
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Come on and kiss me just to show your glad




Baby, baby (baby, baby) don'cha go 'way mad
(Now don'cha go 'way mad)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald's song "Baby Don't You Go 'way Mad" talk about the singer's admission of cheating on her partner, but also pleading with them not to be angry and to forgive and forget. In the first verse, she admits to having a rendezvous with someone new, but emphasizes that it was only a one-time thing. She acknowledges that cheating is not acceptable and recognizes that her partner has a reason to be mad.


In the second verse, the singer tries to downplay the significance of the person she cheated with, calling her a passing fad and saying that her kind is a dime a dozen. She expresses regret for getting involved with this person and acknowledges that she should have passed her by. The singer also talks about how their cousin unexpectedly showed up at the restaurant where they were having their rendezvous, giving them the eye and making the situation even more awkward.


The chorus of the song repeats the plea for her partner not to be mad and to forgive and forget. She asks for a kiss to show that they're glad and to move forward together. Overall, the lyrics portray a situation where one partner has betrayed the other, but is trying to make amends and salvage the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I must confess what you say is true
I must admit that what you are saying is correct


I had a rendezvous with somebody new
I met someone else in secret


(But) that's the only one I ever had
That was the only time I cheated


Baby, baby, don'cha go 'way mad
Please don't be angry with me, my love


Cheatin' shows and it never goes
Cheating is always revealed eventually


You've got a reason to be mad I suppose
I understand why you are upset


But she only was a passing fad
She was just a temporary fling


Baby, don'cha be mad
Please don't be angry with me, my love


Her kind's a dime a dozen
There are many other women like her


And that's not the kind I want (I should have passed her by)
I regret getting involved with her


Who'd ever dream your cousin
Who could have predicted that your cousin


Would wander in to that restaurant (would come along and give us the eye)?
Would happen to be at that restaurant and notice us?


I understand that you feel (you're quite) upset
I know that you are very upset


What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Can you forgive me and forget about this?


Come on and kiss me just to show your glad
Please show me that you are not still angry by kissing me


Baby, baby (baby, baby) don'cha go 'way mad (Now don'cha go 'way mad)
Please don't leave or stay mad at me, my love




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL STILLMAN, ILLINOIS JACQUET, JEAN BAPTISTE ILLINOIS JACQUET, JIMMY MUNDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@DJLEGION

My wife's father was a sax player for the house band at the Fairmont during this period under Ernie Heckscher during this period. A good chance he played on this track.

@papillon1094

Ella is awesome!!

@tabianamoto

that was SO FREEKING GOOD ( and had so much of the '68 flavor! YUM!)

@gdbrabenec

It's a great performance, I'd love to hear more from the same dates.

@hammyhanny

goooooooooooooooooooddddddddd

@chesterbutterfield

look at Dizz in the backround

@istvanszabo7930

Recorded at the Venetian Room, The Fairmont San Francisco, in October 1968. Not February - March!

@lastknowngood0

Check out Ray Brown giving Diz the bad eye as Diz is Digging Mrs. Brown!

@TheWrongCentury

photo is breathing !

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