She is noted for her elegant interpretations of standards, ballads, and blues. Her characteristic inflections have sometimes prompted comparisons to stylistic devices employed by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Jones' recordings, particularly her debut record (Don't Go To Strangers, 1960), have earned wide admiration in a new generation of listeners.
She had three Grammy nominations, for the Don't Go to Strangers LP in 1960, Save Your Love for Me in 1981, and My Buddy in 1999.
Jones had a musical partnership of more than thirty years with tenor sax player Houston Person, who received equal billing with her. He also produced her albums and served as her manager.
Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in Harlem. She died at the age of 72 from cancer. She was survived by her husband, John Medlock, and a granddaughter.
Yes Sir That's My Baby
Etta Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now
Yes sir, we've decided
No sir, we won't hide it
Yes sir, you're invited now
By the way
When we reach the preacher
I'll say with feeling
"Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now"
Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now
Yes sir, we've decided
No sir, we won't hide it
Yes sir, you're invited now
By the way
By the way
When we reach the preacher
I'll say with feeling
"Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now"
By the way
By the way
When we reach the preacher
I'll say with feeling
"Yes sir, that's my baby
No sir, I don't mean maybe
Yes sir, that's my baby now
Yes sir, that's my baby now"
Etta Jones's song "Yes Sir That's My Baby" is a love song about a couple who have decided to get married and are excitedly sharing the news with others. The song opens with the repetition of "Yes sir, that's my baby" and "No sir, I don't mean maybe" which indicates the confidence the singer has in their love. They have come to a conclusion and are unapologetically sharing it with those around them. The singer goes on to say that they have decided to make their love public and they want everyone to know by saying "Yes sir, we won't hide it/ Yes sir, you're invited now." This line indicates that the couple is so proud of their love that they want to share it with everyone and have them witness their wedding.
In the second verse, the singer affirms their commitment to their partner and their love. When they reach the preacher, they will say with feeling, "Yes sir, that's my baby/ No sir, I don't mean maybe/ Yes sir, that's my baby now." This repetition reaffirms the singer's love and commitment to their partner. The song ends with the repetition of "Yes sir, that's my baby now" which stresses the fact that the couple is now together and devoted to each other.
Overall, "Yes Sir That's My Baby" is a joyful love song that celebrates the decision of a couple to get married and their deep love for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes sir, that's my baby
I am proudly in love with this person
No sir, I don't mean maybe
I am certain about my love for this person
Yes sir, that's my baby now
This person belongs to me now; we are a couple
Yes sir, we've decided
We have made a joint decision
No sir, we won't hide it
We will not keep our love a secret
Yes sir, you're invited now
You are welcome to join us in our happiness
By the way
As an aside
When we reach the preacher
When we are ready to get married
I'll say with feeling
I will express myself passionately
"Yes sir, that's my baby
I am extremely proud and happy to be marrying this person
No sir, I don't mean maybe
I am certain about my commitment to this person
Yes sir, that's my baby now"
I will continue to love and cherish this person for the rest of my life
By the way
As an aside
When we reach the preacher
When we are ready to get married
I'll say with feeling
I will express myself passionately
"Yes sir, that's my baby
My love for this person is unwavering and will last a lifetime
No sir, I don't mean maybe
I am certain and confident in my choice of partner
Yes sir, that's my baby now
This person is now my partner and we will face the world together
Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO
Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karen Holland
Back in the 70's I was in a jazz choir in college. My instructor gave me Etta Jones' version of 'Second Time Around' to sing for my solo performance. That was the first time I had heard of her. I fell in love with her voice and tried my best to imitate her style! She and Dinah Washington are my favorites (and Phyllis Hyman!)
iwantmodels
Etta jones Imobe parism
dggd
Quality, just plain ole QUALITY! Love you Etta! Beautiful human being.
2ndEndingVintage
Well, actually...she and Houston had a really good run of it in the '80's-'90's. Perhaps underappreciated in the heyday of the Jazz vocalist, but they got some of their overdue kudos in their later years, for sure....
Kym Lawrence
Miss U Etta!!! Love forever!
David Mehnert
My wish list would be for accurate close-captioning of everything sung on YouTube but ... how could you possibly convey the ... oh, what do you call it? there’s a word for it in Hindi, the connecting and the sliding of notes, the movement in between them... why, it’s almost like a sleight-of-hand, so very specific to the musical magicians who had the good fortune to be born into it...
I cud take you there myself, like a Indian sage, but.. ah, deus SUM slow an’ long long LANGSAM boats ...... goin’ dare ... so ....
silence instead
Miss Jones walked in grace
‘Av you met Miss Jomes?
eye nae’er did 👀
#sosad #dontspeak
David Mehnert
Have you met Miss Jones?
rac1938
¿Dónde está la melodía? LAMENTABLE versión del tema.
David Mehnert
rac1938 Ella siempre fue la cantante de jazz de una cantante de jazz... Si no está familiarizado con la melodía de este estándar de jazz, creo que la partitura está publicada.