Universally known as the King of the Mambo, Pérez Prado was the single most… Read Full Bio ↴Universally known as the King of the Mambo, Pérez Prado was the single most important musician involved in the hugely popular Latin dance craze. Whether he actually created the rhythm is somewhat disputed, but it's abundantly clear that Prado developed it into a bright, swinging style with massive appeal for dancers of all backgrounds and classes. Prado's mambo was filled with piercing high-register trumpets, undulating saxophone counterpoint, atmospheric organ (later on), and harmonic ideas borrowed from jazz. While his tight percussion arrangements allowed for little improvisation, they were dense and sharply focused, keeping the underlying syncopations easy for dancers to follow. Prado played the piano, but was often more in his element as the focal point of the audience's excitement; he leaped, kicked, danced, shouted, grunted, and exhorted his musicians with a dynamic stage presence that put many more sedate conductors and bandleaders to shame. With this blueprint, Prado brought mambo all the way into the pop mainstream, inspiring countless imitators and scoring two number one singles on the pop charts (albeit in a smoother vein than the fare that first made his name) as the fad snowballed. He was a star throughout most of the Western Hemisphere during the '50s, and even after his popularity waned in the United States, he remained a widely respected figure in many Latin countries, especially his adopted home of Mexico. Prado is often best remembered for his softer, more commercial work, which has an undeniable kitschiness that plays well with modern-day lounge-revival hipsters. Unfortunately, that has served to obscure his very real credentials in the realm of authentic, unadulterated Latin dance music, and to this day he remains somewhat underappreciated.

The Lady Is A Tramp
Perez Prado and His Orchestra Lyrics

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She gets too hungry for dinner at eight
She like the theatre and never comes late
She never bothers with people she hates
That's why the lady is a tramp

Doesn't like crapgames with barons or earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls

That's why the lady is a tramp

She like the free fresh wind in her hain, life without care
She's broke and it's OK
Hates California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp

She gets too hungry to wait for dinner at eight
She loves the theatre, but never comes late
She'd never bother with people she'd hate
That's why the lady is a tramp

She'll have no crapgames with sharpies and frogs
And she won't go to Harlem in Lincolns or Fords
And she won't dish the dirt with the rest of the broads
That's why the lady is a tramp

She loves the free fresh wind in her hair
Life without care, she's broke but it's oke
Hates California, it's so cold and so damp

That's why the lady. that's why the lady
That's why the lady is a tramp

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in "The Lady Is A Tramp" by Perez Prado and His Orchestra depict a woman who is fiercely independent and unapologetically herself. The song begins by highlighting her unconventional nature, as she is too hungry to wait for dinner at the traditional hour of eight and has a penchant for the theatre. She is uninterested in conforming to societal expectations, as she does not associate with people she dislikes, displaying a sense of self-assurance and boundary-setting that sets her apart as a nonconformist.

The lyrics further emphasize the lady's disdain for elitism and superficiality. She refuses to engage in "crapgames with barons or earls" and rejects the idea of going to Harlem in extravagant attire like ermine and pearls. Her aversion to gossip and shallow conversations with other women sets her apart as someone who values authenticity and substance over materialistic pursuits. This rejection of societal norms and expectations is what makes her a tramp in the eyes of conventional society.

The song also portrays the lady's love for freedom and simplicity. She enjoys the feeling of the free, fresh wind in her hair and embraces a carefree lifestyle despite her financial struggles. Her discontent with California's cold and damp climate may symbolize her distaste for superficial glamour and luxury, reflecting her preference for authenticity and genuine experiences over material comfort. Through these descriptions, the lyrics suggest that the lady's rebellious spirit and rejection of societal norms stem from a desire for genuine connection and personal freedom.

In summary, "The Lady Is A Tramp" celebrates a woman who defies societal expectations and embraces her individuality with pride. She values authenticity, independence, and freedom, rejecting superficiality and elitism in favor of a life true to herself. Through its portrayal of this unapologetically nonconformist woman, the song invites listeners to consider the beauty and power of staying true to oneself in a world that often pressures us to conform.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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