I Like a Sleighride
Peggy Lee with Billy May and His Orchestra Lyrics

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Only last Saturday,
Or was it yesterday?
I was rehearsing a speech,
Really, I think it's a peach!
Hope you don't think it's a breach
Of recognized etiquette,
(I'm from Connecticut!)
You see the state I'm in,

I mean I'm in a mess!
What was that speech?
Oh yes, yes!

I like the likes of you,
I like the things you do,
I mean I like the likes of you!

I like you're eyes of blue,
I think they're blue, don't you?
I mean I like your eyes of blue!

Oh dear, if I could only say what I mean,
I mean if I could mean what I say,
That is, I mean to say that I mean to say that,

I like the likes of you,
You're looks are pure de-luxe,
Looks like I like the likes of you!

Oh dear, if I could only say what I mean,
I mean if I could mean what I say,
That is, I mean to say that I mean to say that,

I like the likes of you,

You're looks are pure de-luxe,
Looks like I like the likes of you!

Overall Meaning

In "I Like a Sleighride," Peggy Lee with Billy May and His Orchestra sings about her affection for someone, but her inability to express her feelings clearly. The song opens with her recalling a speech she recently rehearsed, which she believes to be excellent. However, she worries about breaking social norms by expressing her emotions. She admits that she is in a mess, indicating her internal turmoil. Peggy then tries to communicate her attraction, stumbling over her words and appearing uncertain. She admires the person's blue eyes and overall appearance, but struggles to articulate her feelings. Despite her anxiety and fumbling words, she concludes by repeating that she likes the object of her affection.

The lyrics of "I Like a Sleighride" reveal the complexity of expressing emotions for some, particularly in contexts where societal norms might prohibit such expressions. Peggy Lee sings about the difficulty of fully communicating her feelings for the person she likes, despite practicing what she wanted to say. She hints at the internal pressure she feels from living in a society that might ridicule her for expressing her feelings. The song highlights the importance of being able to articulate and communicate one's emotions clearly to the people we care about.

Line by Line Meaning

Only last Saturday,
Just a few days ago

Or was it yesterday?
Actually, it might have been yesterday

I was rehearsing a speech,
I had been practicing a speech

Really, I think it's a peach!
Honestly, I believe it's a great speech

Hope you don't think it's a breach
I hope you don't find it inappropriate

Of recognized etiquette,
Based on conventional rules of behavior

(I'm from Connecticut!)
(Just so you know where I'm from!)

You see the state I'm in,
You can tell I'm not doing well

I mean I'm in a mess!
I'm really struggling

What was that speech?
Which reminds me, what was that speech again?

Oh yes, yes!
Right, right!