Satin Doll
John Williams; The Boston Pops Lyrics


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Cigarette holder which wigs me
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

Swich-e-rooney
Telephone numbers well you know




Doing my rhumbas with uno
And that's my satin doll

Overall Meaning

The song "Satin Doll" by Duke Ellington tells the story of a man who is smitten with a woman who is confident and sophisticated with a satin-like style. In the first verse, we see the man being serenaded by a woman who is holding a cigarette holder and winking at him over her shoulder. He describes her as "satin-like" and feels a sense of attraction.


However, the man is also somewhat intimidated by the woman's sophistication, and he tries to keep his cool. He knows that she's nobody's fool, and he doesn't want to make himself vulnerable to being caught. He's playing it safe and letting the woman take the lead, but he's unsure if he's ready for commitment quite yet.


In the second verse, the man is at a party with the woman, and he's captivated by her again. This time, she's speaking in Latin, which further adds to her mystique. The man is dancing and socializing, but he's still cautious, knowing that the woman is a force to be reckoned with.


Overall, "Satin Doll" is a lovely tune that captures the essence of attraction and sophistication. The lyrics and melody work together to create a smooth, suave, and sophisticated tune that is romantic, playful, and fun.


Line by Line Meaning

Cigarette holder which wigs me
The way she holds her cigarette impresses me


Over her shoulder she digs me
She shows interest in me with a glance over her shoulder


Out cattin' that satin doll
She's out and about enjoying the nightlife


Baby, shall we go out skippin'?
Do you want to go out and have some fun?


Careful, amigo, you're flippin'
Be careful, friend, you're acting recklessly


Speaks Latin that satin doll
She has a way with words that's mesmerizing


She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be
She's smart, so I need to act calm and collected


I'll give it a whirl, but I ain't for no girl catching me
I'll try to win her over, but I won't be easily won over myself


Swich-e-rooney
A fun exclamation, maybe for dancing or having a good time


Telephone numbers well you know
I have lots of potential romantic prospects


Doing my rhumbas with uno
I'm dancing the rhumba with just one partner


And that's my satin doll
And that's the girl I'm interested in




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, JOHNNY MERCER, BILLY STRAYHORN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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