Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
Chicago
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
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I had to stop and stare
I saw a man dancing with his own wife
And you'll never guess where
Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town, that toddlin' town
Chicago, Chicago, I'll show you around, I love it
Betcha bottom dollar you'll lose your bluesIn Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down
On State Street, that great street
I just want to stay, I just want to stay
They do things they don't do on Broadway, say
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man who danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago, Chicago, Chicago
Free and easy town, brassy, breezy town
Chicago, Chicago
Let me cool my heels right down at Marshall Field
Come and walk with
Along the lake, to the drake
Hollar and hoot, all through the loop
Shout out now to Mrs. O'Leary's cow
No she-she, life is peachy
Chicago, we'll meet at the Pump Room Ambassador East
To say the least
On shishkabob and breast of squab we will feed and get free
Don't tell me sin is rampid and right
Think of that man who danced with his wife
I feel sympathy for that wonderful, windy town!
The song "Chicago" by Sammy Davis Jr. is an ode to the city of Chicago, celebrating its vibrance and liveliness. The opening lyrics describe the surprise of the singer upon seeing a man dancing with his own wife, a sight that apparently defies expectation. This sets the stage for the rest of the song, which highlights the energy and excitement of Chicago through a series of vignettes.
The chorus of "Chicago" repeats the phrase "that toddlin' town," referring to an old slang term for a lively and entertaining city. Throughout the song, Davis Jr. namechecks various landmarks and aspects of Chicago, such as State Street and Marshall Field. He also mentions Billy Sunday, a controversial evangelical preacher who attempted to shut down the city's saloons and gambling houses in the early 20th century.
Line by Line Meaning
I got the surprise, the surprise of my life
I was pleasantly surprised beyond my expectations
I had to stop and stare
I couldn't help but pause and admire what I was seeing
I saw a man dancing with his own wife
I witnessed a lovely sight of a husband and wife dancing together
And you'll never guess where
It's in the unique city of Chicago where I least expected it
Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town, that toddlin' town
Chicago is a one-of-a-kind city known for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment
Chicago, Chicago, I'll show you around, I love it
I have great affection for Chicago and would be happy to introduce it to others
Betcha bottom dollar you'll lose your blues
Chicago is so exciting that you'll forget all your troubles
In Chicago, Chicago / The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down
Chicago is a city with a rich history; for instance, during the prohibition era, even with the efforts of Billy Sunday, prohibited items were readily available
On State Street, that great street / I just want to stay, I just want to stay
State Street is such a fantastic location that I never want to leave
They do things they don't do on Broadway, say / They have the time, the time of their life
The entertainment and fun experiences in Chicago surpass that of Broadway shows
I saw a man who danced with his wife
I saw another example of marital bliss in Chicago
In Chicago, Chicago, Chicago, Chicago / Free and easy town, brassy, breezy town / Chicago, Chicago
Chicago is a lively metropolis that fosters a carefree and fun atmosphere
Let me cool my heels right down at Marshall Field / Come and walk with / Along the lake, to the drake
I want to relax and take a stroll with someone at Marshall Field, then walk near Lake Michigan to see the Drake Hotel
Hollar and hoot, all through the loop
The energy and enthusiasm in the downtown area called The Loop is something different
Shout out now to Mrs. O'Leary's cow / No she-she, life is peachy / Chicago, we'll meet at the Pump Room Ambassador East / To say the least
Even with the infamous fire caused by Mrs. O'Leary's cow in 1871, Chicago is still thriving, and we can celebrate it by meeting up at the Pump Room cocktail lounge in the Ambassador East Hotel
On shishkabob and breast of squab we will feed and get free / Don't tell me sin is rampid and right / Think of that man who danced with his wife / In Chicago, Chicago
We'll have a wonderful meal and get a hearty laugh in Chicago, where the joy of life is more prominent than any wickedness
I feel sympathy for that wonderful, windy town!
I feel great compassion and admiration for Chicago, a city that is marvelous despite its recurrent bouts of windiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CEVIN N FISHER, PETER GRIFFITHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind