Caramba! It’s The Samba
Peggy Lee Lyrics


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Tonight is my night out for dancing
There's a guy that I'm romancing
I hope he falls for me before the night is through
I can't wait till we start swaying
What the heck is that they're playing
Caramba! It's the samba, it's the one dance I can't do

You better play a rumba for me
'Cause I know he will adore me
When I begin to do a rumba shake or two
I am waiting on the floor now
Just another minute more now
Caramba! It's the samba, it's the one dance I can't do

When they play something dreamy
You will see me waltz away from everyone
And when I tango
All the gang go
Off the floor to watch the fun

Aye! There must be a million
Of the tunes that aren't Brazilian
So I can't understand why they don't play a few
Ah! The band's about to start now
There'll be music in my heart now
Caramba! It's the samba, it's the one dance I can't do

When they play something dreamy
You will see me waltz away from everyone
And when I tango
All the gang go
Off the floor to watch the fun

Aye! There must be a million




Of the tunes that aren't Brazilian
So I can't understand why they don't play a few
Ah! The band's about to start now
There'll be music in my heart now
Caramba! It's the samba, it's the one dance I can't do

Ho-ba! Ho-ba!

Overall Meaning

In Peggy Lee's “Caramba! It's the Samba”, the singer is out for a night of dancing with her romantic interest, but is troubled by the fact that the dance playing is not one she knows how to do. She expresses her anxiety about not being able to samba, urging the band to play a rumba for her to show off her moves, implying that her partner will be impressed. Throughout the song, she comments on various dances, like the waltz and tango, highlighting her versatility, but expresses frustration that there aren't more options available. She ultimately comes to terms with her inability to samba, and simply looks forward to enjoying the music with her partner.


The song reflects a larger cultural narrative about the popularity of samba in American music during the mid-20th century. While other Latin dances like the rumba and tango were also popular, samba was seen as the quintessential Brazilian dance, with infectious rhythms and playful melodies. However, as Lee's lyrics suggest, many Americans didn't actually know how to dance the samba, which led to frustration and anxiety for many partygoers. Thus, the song speaks to a larger phenomenon of cultural exchange and appropriation, where cultural symbols can be commodified and mass-produced, but not necessarily understood or appreciated on a deeper level.


Overall, “Caramba! It's the Samba” is a classic example of the mid-century American fascination with Brazilian music and culture, while also pointing out the limitations of cultural exchange and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

Tonight is my night out for dancing
I am ready to go dancing tonight


There's a guy that I'm romancing
I am interested in a man and hope to dance with him


I hope he falls for me before the night is through
I hope to impress this man with my dancing and win his affection


I can't wait till we start swaying
I am eager to start dancing with this man


What the heck is that they're playing
I do not recognize the music they are playing


Caramba! It's the samba, it's the one dance I can't do
I am disappointed because I cannot dance the samba


You better play a rumba for me
I am requesting they play a rumba because I can dance it well


'Cause I know he will adore me
I believe that if they play a rumba, the man I am interested in will be impressed with my dancing


When I begin to do a rumba shake or two
If they play a rumba, I will start dancing and showing off my skills


I am waiting on the floor now
I am ready and eager to dance


Just another minute more now
I am impatient and cannot wait much longer to dance


Caramba! It's the samba, it's the one dance I can't do
I am disappointed because I cannot dance the samba


When they play something dreamy
If they play a slow, romantic song


You will see me waltz away from everyone
I will dance the waltz with someone, perhaps the man I am interested in


And when I tango
If they play a tango


All the gang go off the floor to watch the fun
Others will stop dancing to watch me and my dance partner perform the tango


Aye! There must be a million
There are so many songs they could play


Of the tunes that aren't Brazilian
There are many non-Brazilian songs they could play


So I can't understand why they don't play a few
I do not understand why they are only playing samba


Ah! The band's about to start now
The band is getting ready to play


There'll be music in my heart now
I am excited to dance to the music


Caramba! It's the samba, it's the one dance I can't do
I am disappointed because I cannot dance the samba


Ho-ba! Ho-ba!
Exclamation of excitement or encouragement




Writer(s): Irving Taylor, George Wyle, Eddie Pola

Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Anonymous


on Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)

Why Don't You Do Right - Casey Abrams - Lyrics
You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too?
You're sitting there wondering what it's all about
You ain't got no money, they will throw you out
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?

Musical Interlude

You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

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