My Sugar Is So Refined
Johnny Mercer Lyrics
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SHe's one o' them high-class kind
she doesn't wear a hat, he wears a chapeau
she goes to see a cinema, but never a show
My sugar is so refined
she's got a real high-class mind
she never buys a dress, it's always a frock
she says "tomahto" instead of "tomayto"
she says "potahto" instead of "potayto"
Well, you should see how she holds a cup of tea
Just two fingers while she sticks out three
My sugar is so refined
she's one o' them high-class kind
she never shares a kiss, he lets our lips unite
But, oh, it feels like kissin' and each kiss is dynamite
I wonder what he thinks of each time I hold her tight
Oh, she's so refined
My sugar is so refined
She's one o' them high-class kind
she never shares a kiss, she lets our lips unite
But, oh, it feels like kissin' and each kiss is dynamite
I wonder what she thinks of each time I hold her tight
Oh, she's so refined
Oh, she's so refined
She says "banahna" instead of "bananna"
She says "piahno" instead of "pianna"
And you should see how she sits on her settee
With cake and coffee balanced on one knee
In this song, Johnny Mercer is singing about his sophisticated and classy lover. He praises her refinement and high-class demeanor, highlighting her quirks and how she differs from ordinary people. The lyrics talk about how she wears a chapeau, goes to the cinema and not shows, and buys frocks instead of dresses. He emphasizes how refined she is by pointing out how she pronounces words differently, like saying "tomahto" instead of "tomayto" and "potahto" instead of "potayto." He also describes how she holds her cup of tea with two fingers and sticks out three, demonstrating her elegance in even the smallest of gestures.
The chorus emphasizes her sophistication even more, as Mercer marvels at her ability to unite their lips without actually sharing a kiss. He describes each kiss as dynamite and wonders what she thinks when he holds her tight. The song also mentions how she says "banahna" instead of "bananna" and "piahno" instead of "pianna," and how she expertly balances cake and coffee on one knee while sitting on her settee. Throughout the song, Mercer is infatuated with his lover's refinement and the ways in which she stands out from the rest.
Line by Line Meaning
My sugar is so refined
The singer's partner is very sophisticated and elegant.
SHe's one o' them high-class kind
The partner is one of those classy and well-bred people.
she doesn't wear a hat, he wears a chapeau
The partner wears a hat that is stylish and extravagant.
she goes to see a cinema, but never a show
The partner prefers cinema to theater and has a refined taste in entertainment.
she's got a real high-class mind
The partner is intelligent and well-educated.
she never buys a dress, it's always a frock
The partner buys sophisticated and fashionable clothing.
she always winds his timepiece up, but never his clock
The partner takes good care of her belongings, including her timepiece.
she says "tomahto" instead of "tomayto"
The partner pronounces words in a refined manner.
she says "potahto" instead of "potayto"
The partner's pronunciation is proof of their sophistication.
Well, you should see how she holds a cup of tea
The partner holds a cup of tea in an elegant manner.
Just two fingers while she sticks out three
The partner holds a cup of tea properly, with the pinky finger slightly raised.
she never shares a kiss, he lets our lips unite
The partner is reserved and doesn't show physical affection in public.
But, oh, it feels like kissin' and each kiss is dynamite
Despite the lack of physical affection, the partner creates intense passion and excitement.
I wonder what he thinks of each time I hold her tight
The singer is curious about what their partner thinks when they are holding each other.
She says "banahna" instead of "bananna"
The partner maintains their refined pronunciation even with simple words.
She says "piahno" instead of "pianna"
The partner's refined pronunciation stands out even more with words of foreign origin.
And you should see how she sits on her settee
The partner sits elegantly and gracefully on her sofa.
With cake and coffee balanced on one knee
The partner is coordinated enough to balance food and drink on one leg without spilling.
Oh, she's so refined
The singer is in awe of their partner's sophistication and elegance.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIDNEY LIPPMAN, SYLVIA DEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thanhnhanphanle137
My sugar is so refined
She's one o' them high-class kind
She doesn't wear a hat, she wears a chapeau
She goes to see a cinema, but never a show
My sugar is so refined
She's got a real high-class mind
She never buys a dress, it's always a frock
She always winds her timepiece up, but never her clock
She says "tomahto" instead of "tomayto"
She says "potahto" instead of "potayto"
Well, you should see how she holds a cup of tea
Just two fingers while she sticks out three
My sugar is so refined
She's one o' them high-class kind
She never shares a kiss, she lets our lips unite
But, oh, it feels like kissin' and each kiss is dynamite
I wonder what she thinks of each time I hold her tight
Oh, she's so refined
My sugar is real refined
Got the finest kind of mind
She never eats a meal, she dines or sups
And dogs are little canine friends, they're never pups
She says "banahna" instead of "bananna"
She says "piahno" instead of "pianna"
And you should see how she sits on her settee
With cake and coffee balanced on one knee
My sugar is so refined
She's one o' them high-class kind
She acts just like her name is Mrs Vanderloo
And though I love her, and we'll be married soon
I wonder what she'll do when we're on our honeymoon
Oh, she's so refined
@Lheitz05
here because my 91 year old gma remembered this song today ❤️
@thevoiceoftheBBs
I had the honor of meeting Johnny Mercer in the Spring of 1974. He was one of the greatest lyirist of the 20th Century--and a co-founder of Capitol Records. "Glow Worm," "Moon River," "On The Acheston, Topeka and Santa Fee, "Fools Rush In," "Hooray For Hollywood," "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby," and "I Remember You," just to name a few. What an incredible talent. Oh, I forgot "One More For The Road" and "Ac-Centuate The Positive." The hits just keep a comin.' RIP, Johnny.
@Tonybc99
thevoiceoftheBBs how old are you sir?
@pgh45rpms
Don't forget That Old Black Magic, Days of Wine & Roses, Blues in the Night, Charade, Goody Goody, Too Marvelous for Words, .Glow Worm, et al..
@karennottle4725
So lucky. I saw the house where he grew up last month.
@imanim4844
One of my top favorite Johnny Mercer songs ♥️🎶 What a voice, what a songwriter!
@thanhnhanphanle137
My sugar is so refined
She's one o' them high-class kind
She doesn't wear a hat, she wears a chapeau
She goes to see a cinema, but never a show
My sugar is so refined
She's got a real high-class mind
She never buys a dress, it's always a frock
She always winds her timepiece up, but never her clock
She says "tomahto" instead of "tomayto"
She says "potahto" instead of "potayto"
Well, you should see how she holds a cup of tea
Just two fingers while she sticks out three
My sugar is so refined
She's one o' them high-class kind
She never shares a kiss, she lets our lips unite
But, oh, it feels like kissin' and each kiss is dynamite
I wonder what she thinks of each time I hold her tight
Oh, she's so refined
My sugar is real refined
Got the finest kind of mind
She never eats a meal, she dines or sups
And dogs are little canine friends, they're never pups
She says "banahna" instead of "bananna"
She says "piahno" instead of "pianna"
And you should see how she sits on her settee
With cake and coffee balanced on one knee
My sugar is so refined
She's one o' them high-class kind
She acts just like her name is Mrs Vanderloo
And though I love her, and we'll be married soon
I wonder what she'll do when we're on our honeymoon
Oh, she's so refined
@thevoiceoftheBBs
Johnny is truly one of the best lyricists of the 20th Century. Many of his songs--written over 50 years ago (and some go back to the late 30's, early 40's) are timeless classics. "Moon River," written with another late friend, Henry Mancini, is a prefect combination of lyric and melody. But Johnny wrote so many great songs...it's hard to pick out just one or two.
@Zensikyuno
Beautiful. just good vibes im getting from this song.
@Kris.G
Can't stop singing this song.