Always True to You in My Fashion
Julie London Lyrics


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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

In Julie London's "Always True to You in My Fashion," she challenges the idea of fidelity in relationships. The lyrics consist of a series of scenarios where men of various occupations and backgrounds attempt to win her affection. Although she admits to enjoying the attention, she reassures her lover, Bill, that she will always be true to him in her own way. The verses explore the idea of being faithful in the sense that she always returns to Bill, but at the same time, she still indulges in the attention of various men. The song highlights the complexities of human emotions and relationships, and how people navigate them differently.


The lyrics were written by Cole Porter for the 1948 musical "Kiss Me Kate." Julie London's version was released in 1955 as part of her album "Julie Is Her Name." Other notable versions of the song include Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Bill
Addressing a man named Bill


Why can't you behave
Questioning why Bill can't behave


Why can't you behave?
Repeating the question as a plea for Bill to behave


How in hell can you be jealous
Expressing doubt that Bill should be feeling jealous


When you know, baby, I'm your slave?
Reminding Bill that the singer is devoted to him


I'm just mad for you
Admitting to being devoted to Bill


And I'll always be
Promising to always be devoted to Bill


But naturally
Conceding that the devotion comes naturally


If a custom-tailored vet
If a well-dressed man


Asks me out for something wet
Asks me to go for a drink


When the vet begins to pet, I cry "hooray!"
When the man tries to be affectionate, I welcome it


But I'm always true to you, darlin', in my fashion
But I stay loyal to you, dear, in my own way


Yes, I'm always true to you, darlin', in my way
Repeating the promise of loyalty


I enjoy a tender pass
I like romantic advances


By the boss of Boston, Mass
From a man in a position of power


Though his pass is middle-class and not Backa Bay
Although he's not from a high-class area


There's a madman known as Mack
Referring to a man named Mack who's a bit unpredictable


Who is planning to attack
Who may be up to mischief


If his mad attack means a Cadillac, okay!
If his antics result in a fancy car, that's acceptable


I've been asked to have a meal
I've been invited to a meal


By a big tycoon in steel
A wealthy man in the steel industry


If the meal includes a deal, accept I may
If there's potential for business, I might accept


I could never curl my lip
I would never show distaste


To a dazzlin' diamond clip
To a shiny diamond accessory


Though the clip meant "Let 'er rip", I'd not say "Nay!"
Even if the accessory is suggestively tempting, I won't reject it outright


There's an oil man known as "Tex"
A wealthy man from Texas


Who is keen to give me checks
Who wants to give me money


And his checks, I fear, mean that sex is here to stay!
I'm afraid that accepting his money would mean committing to a sexual relationship


There's a wealthy Hindu priest
A rich man who's a priest in the Hindu religion


Who's a wolf, to say the least
A bit of a ladies' man, to put it mildly


When the priest goes too far East, I also stray
When he goes out of his depth culturally, I also lose interest


There's a lush from Portland, Ore
A drunk man from Oregon


Who is rich but such a bore
Despite his wealth, he's dull


When the bore falls on the floor, I let him lay
When he passes out, I leave him there


Mister Harris, plutocrat
A man named Harris who's extremely wealthy


Wants to give my cheek a pat
He wants to flirt with me


If the Harris pat means a Paris hat, Oo-la-la!
If I get a fancy present out of it, that's exciting


From Ohio, Mister Thorne
A man named Thorne from Ohio


Calls me up from night 'til morn
He calls me incessantly


Mister Thorne once corner'd corn and that ain't hay
He's successful, having cornered the market on corn


From Milwaukee, Mister Fritz
A man named Fritz from Milwaukee


Often moves me to the Ritz
He takes me to fancy places


Mister Fritz is full of Schlitz and full of play
He's a drinker, and a bit of a joker


Mister Gable, I mean Clark
Referring to the famous actor Clark Gable


Wants me on his boat to park
He wants me to join him on his boat


If the Gable boat means a sable coat, anchors aweigh!
If I get a nice present out of it, let's go!


Mais je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my fashion
But I'm always faithful, darling, in my own way (in French)


Oui, je suis toujours fidele, darlin', in my way
Repeating the promise of faithfulness in French




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Garrettk41

I prefer slightly more up tempo versions myself, but at least Julie knew what beat to sing "darling" on, unlike some other artists who covered this classic.

Виктория Гусейнова

😊👍)

Ho Chi Minh was a mass-murderer

Slow but still ok!

james morgan stewart

yes !!!

Christa Robinson

CNN theme song

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