1: A Canadian emo/post-hardcor… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple bands named Ellington:
1: A Canadian emo/post-hardcore band active in the late 90's/early 2000's.
2: An Australian indie pop band active since 2007.
2. Ellington are an indie pop band hailing from the sun drenched town of Tannum Sands in Queensland, Australia. After funding a trip to America to record their EP "More Like A Movie, Less Like Real Life" which featured the likes of Matt Thiessen (Relient K), Jeff Turner (Say Anything) and Leighton Antelman (Lydia), the band have toured with the likes of Something With Numbers, Behind Crimson Eyes, Kenny Vasoli and The Sundance Kids.
Satin Doll
Ellington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Doing my rhumbas - with uno
And that'n my satin doll
The lyrics of Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll" describe the admiration of the singer for a woman who exudes class and elegance. The lyrics speak of a woman who holds a cigarette holder, which adds to her allure, and how she winks at the singer over her shoulder, making him feel desired. The singer speaks of the satin doll as a woman who is both sophisticated and fun-loving, someone who enjoys going out on the town and dancing the rhumba. The chorus speaks of how the satin doll is nobody's fool, and how the singer needs to play it cool to impress her.
The lyrics of "Satin Doll" are a classic example of Duke Ellington's signature sound, a blend of swing and jazz. The song, written in 1953, became a huge hit, and its popularity lasted for many years. Ellington wrote "Satin Doll" as an instrumental originally, but after the lyrics were added, the song became even more famous. The lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer, who is famous for writing lyrics for other jazz standards like “Moon River” and “Days of Wine and Roses." The song has been covered countless times by different vocalists and instrumentalists, making it a true jazz standard.
Line by Line Meaning
Cigarette holder- which wigs me
The woman has a cigarette holder and it fascinates me.
Over her shoulder - she digs me
She looks back and smiles at me, showing that she likes me.
Out cattin' - that satin doll
She is out socializing, living a vibrant life, like a satin doll.
Baby shall we go - out skippin'
Do you want to go out and have some fun together?
Careful amigo - you're flippin'
Don't get too carried away or you'll lose control.
Speaks Latin - that satin doll
She's well-educated and sophisticated, like someone who speaks Latin.
She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be
She's smart so I need to be careful not to act foolishly in front of her.
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me
I'll try to impress her, but I'm not interested in getting caught up in a serious relationship.
Telephone numbers - well you know
I'm getting lots of phone numbers from women, as you might expect.
Doing my rhumbas - with uno
I'm out there dancing the rhumba, just having fun with whoever.
And that'n my satin doll
And that's the one I'm interested in, the woman who's like a satin doll.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, JOHNNY MERCER, BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tuxguys
In terms of sheer familiarity, this piece has the same place in Jazz that the opening notes to Beethoven's 5th Symphony (dut dut dut duhhhh) has in Classical Music.
One of the advantages the Jazz Idiom enjoys often, and the Classical Idiom rarely does, is its ability to reinvent the familiar, over and over again:
Usually, when a Classical composition is finished, that's it; as evidenced here, a Jazz Composition can be rearranged and re-conceived in as many ways as the composer is inspired to do it.
This particular arrangement of "Satin Doll" has been turned into a showpiece for the rhythm section, especially the bass player...
...and as many times as I've heard (to say nothing of actually played) this tune, this was brand new to me.
(Was there ever a more elegant stage presence than Duke Ellington?)
Addendum, nine months later:
I just noticed this...
Such a tight ensemble, such flawless precision in phrasing, and what do you not see?
MUSIC.
These guys are playing this superlative arrangement FROM MEMORY.
ponderosatrail
The Duke played at my 21st birthday party on the 30th of Sept. 1969. The next day I was on duty At Cherry point Marine Corps air base Where he was playing. I stood back stage until he saw me stopped the music to play happy birthday to me. He sent cards to my father 2 to3 time a year . The last was 3 days before he died .. He was a great man.
Cole Bush
👍
Jake Svendsen
How did your father get to know Duke Ellington originally?
Batı
The bassist is incredible.
Swazerre Dean
Indeed!
Emile Zulu
not Blanton for sure
Ian Collins
If they really like it give em like two years
Thomas Leary
I think your info is incorrect. I'm pretty sure this performance is from the 1950's.
vova47
You're welcome, my friend!
dacatmaster83
Very well said! Nobody realizes that there is still great music being made today. Instead, everyone is just critical about the popular artists and musicians...