Baby Doll
Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra Lyrics
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Let's go home and tell my mother
That I found a baby brother
I am taking you off the shelf
And showing you off myself
Can't you see it now?
Holding my hand
Oh honey, there's no use talkin'
You're a wonderful baby doll
I am taking you off the shelf
And showing you off myself
Can't you see it now?
You're taking me walkin'
Holding my hand
Oh honey, there's no use talkin'
You're a wonderful baby doll
A wonderful baby doll
The song "Baby Doll" by Ella Fitzgerald tells the story of a man who is proud and excited to have found a female companion who he sees as perfect and beautiful - like a baby doll. He wants to take her home and show her off to his mother, introducing her as a new family member, akin to a baby brother. The man feels proud walking with his companion, holding her hand and showing her off to the world. The lyrics suggest a child-like sense of wonder and happiness, as if the man is seeing the world through new eyes because of the companion he has found.
At the core of this song is a message about the joy that comes from love and companionship. The man is thrilled to have found someone who he considers to be a treasure, and he wants to share that joy with others who are important to him. The use of the term "baby doll" may seem infantilizing or sexist, but in this context it comes across as endearing and affectionate, emphasizing the man's admiration for his companion's beauty and charm.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby doll, you wonderful baby doll
Addressing a beloved partner with affection and admiration
Let's go home and tell my mother
Expressing excitement to share news of the relationship with family
That I found a baby brother
Metaphorically portraying the partner as a sibling, indicating acceptance and closeness
I am taking you off the shelf
Claiming the partner as one's own and taking them out into the world
And showing you off myself
Expressing pride and a desire to display the partner to others
Can't you see it now?
Asking for recognition and agreement regarding the partner's worth
You're taking me walkin'
Illustrating the partner's leadership and influence in the relationship
Holding my hand
Symbolic of the partner's love and commitment
Oh honey, there's no use talkin'
Acknowledgement that no words can express the depth of feeling for the partner
You're a wonderful baby doll
Reiteration of the partner's positive qualities and affectionate title
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HARRY WARREN, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pepps4390
Agreed, completely. If this is how you feel, you will appreciate Ella's live performance of "How High the Moon" in Berlin - I forget the year, but will edit to add. I have only heard and never seen the performance, but critics the world over still bow down before the mastery she demonstrated through that one song. Sarah Vaughn refers to the performance in her cover of the same song:
"Ella Fitzgerald sings this song,
Real, real, real crazy
Shabadoobadoobedobedobe
That's the way she sings it
So I'm gonna try to sing it that way for you,
So-o-o-o here goes, here goes
How High the Moon"
You will thank me.
@therealsWa
She painted with her voice.
@storyandsoulgardening
Best way to describe this...
@gloriachinea5069
Amen
@ThePiratemachine
Francois Bessing What a wonderful description. Thanks.
@JustMe-rl5ym
That's exactly what I just noticed
@shawnscott125
She was the best!!!!
@AndySaenz
Why is nobody talking about these excellent musicians? Their tempo was perfect, they were in sync with each other and with Ella, and that piano was just absolutely beautiful.
@Auntkekebaby
Just perfection all around
@aodhai
Why is noone talking about Ella Fitzgerald? What are you talking about haha
@nfpnone8248
No one is talking because they are too busy listening! All these musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, were very well known for their artistry at the time, but it’s 2023, and this was done in maybe c.1970, which is 50 years ago, and she performed it in probably the mid to late ‘50 and throughout the 60’s, so you are talking about 70 plus years of absolute perfection.