Kurt Elling (born November 2, 1967) is an American jazz vocalist.

El… Read Full Bio ↴Kurt Elling (born November 2, 1967) is an American jazz vocalist.

Elling graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1989. He then enrolled in The University of Chicago's Divinity School and remained a student there until January 1992, when he left school one credit short of graduation.

In the last decade, Elling has released seven albums for the Blue Note label. He has also performed and recorded with many musicians, including David Amram, Bob Belden, Joanne Brackeen, Oscar Brown, Jr., Billy Corgan, Orbert Davis, George Freeman, Buddy Guy, Jon Hendricks, Charlie Hunter and Rex Richardson.

As of late 2005, Elling's current band includes Rob Amster on bass, Laurence Hobgood on piano, and Kobe Watkins on drums. He is regularly featured at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge at 4802 N. Broadway in Chicago.

Elling has won the Down Beat and JazzTimes critics’ polls three years in a row in the Best Male Singer category. He is also Vice Chair of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the 17,000-member service organization that produces the annual Grammy Awards.

I'm Satisfied
Kurt Elling Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, here I am in my Sunday best
You may think that I look a match
But I do believe in get over dressed
As long as I′m needed here inside
I'm satisfied

Now I don′t want you to get me wrong
I've got no notion to come on strong

My big ambition is just to get along
I figure if I ain't died
I′m satisfied

Hit me honey

If you got mountains you wanna move
Babe that kinda act just ain′t my groove
There's nothing special that I′m trying to prove
If its not skin of my heart
I'm satisfied

Once more

Let′s get tied and laid on the line
You do your things baby and I do mine
Either any trip we take, we'll be just fine
Long as I can take a ride
I′m satisfied

I'm satisfied
So satisfied

Long as I can take a ride

Overall Meaning

The song “I’m Satisfied” by Kurt Elling is a light-hearted and playful tune which tells us about the singer’s contentment with life. The opening lyrics “Well, here I am in my Sunday best, You may think that I look a match, But I do believe in get over dressed” suggests that the singer is dressing up to make an impression, but not to necessarily outdo anyone else. He is satisfied with himself and doesn’t feel the need to compare himself to others.

The line “I’ve got no notion to come on strong” is a testament to the singer’s sense of contentment. He is not looking to impress or dominate anyone, instead he believes in getting along with others. In the final verse, he asserts his independence by singing “Let's get tied and laid on the line, You do your things baby and I do mine, Either any trip we take, we'll be just fine, Long as I can take a ride, I’m satisfied”. This verse is a celebration of individuality and self-assuredness. The song is a reminder to us all to take pleasure in the simple things in life, to be content with ourselves and to stay true to who we are.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, here I am in my Sunday best
I am dressed in my finest clothes.

You may think that I look a match
You might think I look good enough.

But I do believe in get over dressed
I do not mind dressing fancier than necessary.

As long as I′m needed here inside
As long as I have a purpose or am wanted.

I'm satisfied
I am content with my current situation.

Now I don′t want you to get me wrong
Please do not misunderstand me.

I've got no notion to come on strong
I do not intend to be forceful or aggressive.

My big ambition is just to get along
My main goal is to peacefully coexist.

I figure if I ain't died
As long as I am alive.

I′m satisfied
I am content with my current situation.

Hit me honey
Proceed with the music.