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.
Lil' Darlin'
Kurt Elling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't need more cash than banks can hold
When I get to feeling a feeling
For something there ain't too much of
My sweet li'l darling gives me her love
Won't catch me chasin' 'round at night
I'm not impressed with glamorous sights
As some other girls you may see
But my li'l darling only loves me
You know I love my baby and
She loves me
Something tells me constantly
So she was never chased around by lots of other guys
She never won no beauty prize
It's me and me all alone she can see
She's the kinda chick who likes to stay home in the evenin'
Most of my friends tell me she is rare
S'long as she loves me
I don't care
I meant what I said when I said
Won't catch me chasin' 'round at night
I'm not impressed with glamorous sights
Li'l darling may be as pretty
As some other girls you may see
But my li'l darling only loves me
Darling, she loves me
The lyrics to Kurt Elling's "Lil' Darlin'" express a sense of contentment and satisfaction with life that comes from being loved by someone special. The first verse of the song establishes that the singer isn't concerned with material wealth or riches. They don't need a palace paved with gold or more money than banks can hold. Instead, when they're feeling down and need something that's hard to come by, their "sweet li'l darlin'" gives them the love they need. The second verse is a declaration of the singer's fidelity and devotion to their partner. They won't be caught chasing after other women or impressed by glamorous sights. While their "li'l darling" may not be the prettiest girl around, that doesn't matter because she loves only them.
Overall, the song captures an appreciation for love that's simple and uncomplicated. The singer doesn't need extravagance or beauty contests to feel fulfilled. They are content with the love they have in their life and the person who provides it.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't want no palace paved with gold
I'm not looking for extravagant wealth or luxury
Don't need more cash than banks can hold
I don't need an excessive amount of money
When I get to feeling a feeling
There are times when I receive a certain emotion
For something there ain't too much of
When I desire something that is scarce or rare
My sweet li'l darling gives me her love
My beloved partner gives me her affection
Won't catch me chasin' 'round at night
I'm not interested in going out at night and pursuing things that don't matter
I'm not impressed with glamorous sights
I am not moved or impressed by extravagant displays
Li'l darling may be as pretty
My dear partner may be as physically attractive
As some other girls you may see
As other women that may catch your attention
But my li'l darling only loves me
However, my dear partner only has eyes for me
You know I love my baby and
My affection for my partner is undeniable and mutual
She loves me
My partner reciprocates my feelings
Something tells me constantly
I have a constant feeling or intuition that confirms this love
So she was never chased around by lots of other guys
My partner has never been pursued by many other men
She never won no beauty prize
My partner has not received any beauty pageant awards
It's me and me all alone she can see
My partner's attention and affection is solely directed towards me
She's the kinda chick who likes to stay home in the evenin'
My partner prefers to spend her evenings at home rather than be outside
Most of my friends tell me she is rare
My friends say that my partner is unique or one of a kind
S'long as she loves me
As long as my partner loves me
I don't care
I don't care about anything else
I meant what I said when I said
My words are genuine and truthful
Won't catch me chasin' 'round at night
I am not interested in wasting my time on frivolous pursuits at night
I'm not impressed with glamorous sights
I am not interested in superficial displays of wealth or glamour
Li'l darling may be as pretty
My partner may be as physically attractive
As some other girls you may see
As some other women who may seem attractive
But my li'l darling only loves me
However, my dear partner only has eyes for me
Darling, she loves me
My partner loves me dearly
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.