My Sugar Is So Refined
Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My sugar is so refined
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 always winds his timepiece up, but never his 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, 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

Overall Meaning

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 © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIDNEY LIPPMAN, SYLVIA DEE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Golden Dreams

The kinda song you play on the weekends or cruising along the coast in a big, beautiful Cadillac

M

Che spettacolo...

Luis Rodriguez

I have this record! It is a beautiful one! The flip side is Ugly Chile (You're Some Pretty Doll)!