Jo Stafford (born Jo Elizabeth Stafford, 12 November 1917, in Coalinga, Cal… Read Full Bio ↴Jo Stafford (born Jo Elizabeth Stafford, 12 November 1917, in Coalinga, California and died July 16, 2008 at Century City, California) was an American jazz and big band singer whose career spanned the late 1930s through the early 1960s. She was known especially as a fond favorite of name bandleaders during World War II and in the years immediately after. Stafford was greatly admired for the purity of her voice and was considered one of the most versatile vocalists of the era. Even now, hers are widely held as the supreme versions of jazz standards "It Could Happen to You" and "Blue Moon." She sang with male partners on occasion, including Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. She was also considered a pioneer of modern musical parody, having won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 1961 (with husband Paul Weston) for their album Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris.

Always True to You Darling in My Fashion
Jo Stafford Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, Bill
Why can't you behave
Why can't you behave?
How in hell can you be jealous
When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
I'm just mad for you
And I'll always be
But naturally

If a custom-tailored vet
Asks me out for something wet
When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way

I enjoy a tender pass
By the boss of Boston, Mass
Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way

There's a madman known as Mack
Who is planning to attack
If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way

I've been asked to have a meal
By a big tycoon in steel
If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin' in my way

I could never curl my lip
To a dazzlin' diamond clip
Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
But I'm always true to to you, darlin, in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way

There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Who is keen to give me checks
And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way

There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Who's a wolf, to say the least
When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin'in my way

There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Who is rich but such a bore
When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin',in my way

Mister Harris, plutocrat
Wants to give my cheek a pat
If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, oo-la-la!
Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way

From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Calls me up from night 'til morn
Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way

From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Often moves me to the Ritz
Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way

Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Wants me on his boat to park
If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!

But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way

Overall Meaning

Jo Stafford's "Always True to You Darling in My Fashion" is a playful and flirtatious song in which the singer, addressing a love interest named Bill, professes her undying devotion despite her many dalliances with other men. In the song, Stafford humorously riffs on her own loyalty, claiming that she is always true to Bill "in her fashion," even as she receives attention from a custom-tailored vet, the boss of Boston, an oil man from Texas, a wealthy Hindu priest, and other men from across the country. Despite her many temptations, Stafford insists that she will remain faithful to Bill, even as she indulges in "a tender pass," a "big meal," and even a "Paris hat" from various wealthy suitors.

The song's playful, tongue-in-cheek lyrics suggest that the singer is not entirely serious about her fidelity to Bill, but rather sees their relationship as a fun, flirty game. By presenting herself as a desirable and sought-after woman, Stafford's character both pokes fun at the expectations of traditional relationships and asserts her own independence and agency as a woman. Ultimately, Stafford's crooning voice and rollicking orchestration make "Always True to You Darling in My Fashion" a lighthearted and charming window into the romantic culture of mid-20th century America.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Bill
Directly addressing the person being sung to.

Why can't you behave
Asks why the person being sung to behaves in a certain way.

Why can't you behave?
Repeatedly asks why the person being sung to behaves in a certain way.

How in hell can you be jealous
Asking how it is even possible to be jealous.

When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
Reminding the person that she is dedicated to them.

I'm just mad for you
Explaining that she is crazy for the person she is singing to.

And I'll always be
Promise to always be there for the person being sung to.

If a custom-tailored vet
If an experienced person asks her out.

Asks me out for something wet
If they propose drinking together.

When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
If the experienced person starts to flirt, she will be happy.

But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
She is only interested in the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
She is always loyal even if she does it differently.

I enjoy a tender pass
She enjoys a sweet gesture.

By the boss of Boston, Mass
From a powerful person from the area.

Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
Even if the gesture is not grand or extravagant.

But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Again, she is only interested in the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
Loyalty is important in her own way.

There's a madman known as Mack
Another man who is interested in her.

Who is planning to attack
Who plans to make a move.

If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
If he can give her something valuable.

But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Her loyalty remains with the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
Stresses the uniqueness of her loyalty.

I've been asked to have a meal
Another person has offered her to dine together.

By a big tycoon in steel
A rich and powerful person in the steel industry.

If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
If there is a business opportunity included in the invitation, she will consider accepting it.

But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
Once again, her loyalty is with the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, Darlin' in my way
Emphasizes that she will always stay true in her own way.

I could never curl my lip
She would never have a negative reaction.

To a dazzlin' diamond clip
To a sparkling and expensive piece of jewelry.

Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
She would not turn the gift down, even if it meant she was agreeing to something risqué.

But I'm always true to to you, darlin, in my fashion
Still loyal to the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin' in my way
Her unique brand of loyalty persists.

There's an oil man known as "Tex"
Another man who is interested in her.

Who is keen to give me checks
Who will pay her well for her affection.

And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
She is hesitant, but if the man offers money for sex, she may accept it.

But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
She is still loyal to the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
The style of loyalty is consistent throughout the song.

There's a wealthy Hindu priest
Another man who pursues her.

Who's a wolf, to say the least
A predatory man.

When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
If things get too intense with this man, she may seek solace elsewhere.

But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Loyalty always lies with the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin'in my way
Loyalty always has a unique style.

There's a lush from Portland, Ore
Another man who is interested in her.

Who is rich but such a bore
A wealthy man who offers nothing but his money.

When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
If this man gets too drunk, she will leave him to sober up on his own.

But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Still loyal to the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin',in my way
Loyalty is at the forefront of her mind.

Mister Harris, plutocrat
Another wealthy man who is interested in her.

Wants to give my cheek a pat
Makes a playful move on her.

If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, oo-la-la!
If she can get a fancy gift out of the interaction, she may consider it.

Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
Translation: But I'm always faithful, darling, in my way.

Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way
Reiterating her commitment to loyalty.

From Ohio, Mister Thorne
Another man from a different place.

Calls me up from night 'til morn
Obsessed with her to the point of calling incessantly.

Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
A reference to how corn could be a valuable commodity, implying that this man may offer something of value to her.

But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Loyalty always belongs to the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Her commitment to loyalty is unique to the way she does things.

From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
Another man from yet another place.

Often moves me to the Ritz
Takes her to fancy places.

Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
The man is playful and enjoys drinking beer.

But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Still loyal to the person she is singing to.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Loyalty is grounded in her own personal values.

Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Clark Gable was a well-known actor, but the name is used here to describe another man.

Wants me on his boat to park
Wants to spend time with her on his boat.

If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
If she can get a fancy coat out of the interaction, she may consider it.

But I'm always true to to you, darlin', in my fashion
Loyalty is always paramount.

Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Her style of loyalty is unyielding.