Always In My Heart
Jimmy Dorsey Lyrics

Oh, Bill
Addressing someone named Bill.

Why can't you behave
Asking Bill why he can't be better behaved.

Why can't you behave?
Repeating the question to emphasize the desire for better behavior.

How in hell can you be jealous
Questioning how Bill can feel jealousy when the artist is so devoted to him.

When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
Reminding Bill of the artist's complete devotion to him.

I'm just mad for you
Expressing intense love for Bill.

And I'll always be
Promising to always love Bill.

But naturally
Casually reaffirming the artist's love for Bill.

If a custom-tailored vet
Describing a situation where a veterinarian asks the artist out for a drink.

Asks me out for something wet
Using a euphemism for an alcoholic drink.

When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
Celebrating the attention from the veterinarian.

But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Promising to remain faithful to Bill, but in the artist's own way.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Reiterating the promise to remain faithful in the singer's own unique way.

I enjoy a tender pass
Describing a situation where the singer enjoys a romantic encounter.

By the boss of Boston, Mass
Referring to the person who initiated the romantic encounter as someone important or powerful.

Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
Acknowledging that the person who initiated the romantic encounter may not be extremely wealthy or elegant.

There's a madman known as Mack
Introducing the character of Mack, who the artist is describing.

Who is planning to attack
Stating Mack's intention to harm someone or something.

If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
Suggesting that if Mack's violent actions result in a gain for the singer, the singer is okay with it.

I've been asked to have a meal
Describing a situation where someone has asked the artist to join them for a meal.

By a big tycoon in steel
Referring to the person who invited the artist to the meal as someone wealthy and powerful in the steel industry.

If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
Indicating that the artist may be willing to make a business deal while enjoying the meal.

I could never curl my lip
Stating that the singer would never express disdain.

To a dazzlin' diamond clip
Referring to a piece of jewelry, indicating that the artist would still appreciate it even though they would not express disdain.

Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
Even if the piece of jewelry came with the expectation of wild behavior, the singer would not reject it.

There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Introducing the character of Tex, who the singer is describing.

Who is keen to give me checks
Stating that Tex wants to give the singer money.

And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
Expressing concern that Tex's money comes with strings attached, and that he expects the artist to engage in sexual activity with him.

There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Introducing the character of the Hindu priest, who the artist is describing.

Who's a wolf, to say the least
Describing the Hindu priest as a predatory person.

When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
When the Hindu priest takes things too far, the singer will also look elsewhere for companionship.

There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Introducing the character of the lush, who the artist is describing.

Who is rich but such a bore
Describing the lush as uninteresting.

When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
If the lush becomes too drunk and falls down, the artist will not take care of them but will instead let them be.

Mister Harris, plutocrat
Introducing the character of Mister Harris, who the singer is describing.

Wants to give my cheek a pat
Stating that Mister Harris wants to touch the artist in a casual way.

If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, ok. Oo-la-la!
Indicating that if Mister Harris's touch results in a gift, the singer is okay with it, but with a hint of flirtation.

From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Introducing the character of Mister Thorne, who the singer is describing.

Calls me up from night 'til morn
Stating that Mister Thorne is constantly contacting the singer.

Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
Describing something impressive that Mister Thorne has accomplished.

From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Introducing the character of Mister Fritz, who the artist is describing.

Often moves me to the Ritz
Stating that Mister Fritz takes the singer to fancy and luxurious places.

Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
Describing Mister Fritz as someone who likes to party and drink beer.

Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Introducing the character of Mister Gable, who the artist is referring to by his real name, Clark.

Wants me on his boat to park
Stating that Clark wants the artist to spend time with him on his boat.

If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
If spending time with Clark results in a luxurious gift, the artist is okay with it and is playfully saying they will be ready to set sail on the boat.