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.
Fabulous Places
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such as Mexico, Sweden, Hawaii, Japan and Capri!
There are so many exciting & wonderful places!
Mountains and jungles, deserts and oases!
Pleasant as home is,
It isn't what Rome is!
So why stay there?
When there are so many fabulous faraway places to see!Why should Spain and Tahiti and Rio
Just be only names to you and me?
I feel certain there are people
We'd be glad to know there!
So tell me why don't we get up and go there?
Go to those fabulous places we're longing to be?
Go to Bangkok & Hong Kong & Paris & Venice!
Tokyo & Cairo & Lisbon & London!
Wonderful fabulous places we're longing to see!
I'd give anything just to have one single day there!
And once we get there,
I know that we'll stay there!
Stay in those fabulous places
We're longing to be!
Such as Siam! Sienna! Vienna! Verona!
Java! Jamaica! Bombay! Barcelona!
Show me those fabulous places
We're longing to see!
Longing to see!
Longing to see!
Just you and me
The song "Fabulous Places" by Sammy Davis Jr. is a beautiful and energetic composition about the yearning to travel and explore the world. The lyrics depict the numerous and diverse places that the character wishes to visit, including popular tourist destinations such as Mexico, Sweden, Hawaii, Japan, and Capri. The song celebrates the excitement and wonder of venturing into unknown territories, discovering new cultures, and meeting interesting people.
The driving force behind the song is the desire to break free from the monotony of daily life and the mundane surroundings of home. The singer believes that as pleasant as home is, it cannot compare to the adventure and thrill of traveling abroad. Visiting countries like Spain, Tahiti, and Rio is not enough, as the mere mention of their names is not sufficient without the experience of immersing oneself in their culture and beauty. The song suggests that there are people out there that we are meant to meet and connections that we are meant to make, and that the only way to do so is by taking a chance and exploring the world.
Overall, "Fabulous Places" is a joyful and upbeat song that inspires listeners to take risks, step out of their comfort zones, and explore the world around them. It emphasizes the importance of experiencing different cultures, pushing boundaries, and seizing opportunities that come our way. The song speaks to anyone who has a passion for travel and the desire to see all the incredible sights that the world has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
There are so many fabulous faraway places to see!
There are countless breathtaking and exotic destinations all over the world that one can visit, experience and enjoy!
Such as Mexico, Sweden, Hawaii, Japan and Capri!
Examples of some of those exciting, wonderful places to visit includes Mexico, Sweden, Hawaii, Japan and Capri amongst others!
There are so many exciting & wonderful places!
A vast array of fascinating, fun and interesting places that exists all over the world, for one to explore and discover!
Mountains and jungles, deserts and oases!
From climbing up rugged mountains and exploring lush jungles, to discovering the beauty of vast deserts and serene oases are remarkable experiences one can have!
Pleasant as home is,
While home may be a comfortable and pleasant place to be,
It isn't what Rome is!
It is not the same thing as visiting the city of Rome, with all its history and culture waiting to be absorbed!
So why stay there?
Why limit ourselves to just staying within the comfort of our homes, when there is so much more to see and explore out in the world?
When there are so many fabulous faraway places to see!
Why not go out there and explore all the fabulous, enchanting places that are out there waiting to be discovered?
Why should Spain and Tahiti and Rio
Why should destinations like Spain, Tahiti and Rio be unknown strangers to us,
Just be only names to you and me?
When we can change that by going to these places and getting to experience and appreciate their unique culture, people and locations in person?
I feel certain there are people
I am convinced that out there are people
We'd be glad to know there!
Whom we would be thrilled to meet and make acquaintances with!
So tell me why don't we get up and go there?
Why not take the initiative to go out there and explore all these fantastic destinations?
Go to those fabulous places we're longing to be?
Lets go to all those stunning destinations we've been dreaming of visiting!
Go to Bangkok & Hong Kong & Paris & Venice!
Let's go to these fantastic places such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Paris and Venice amongst other breathtaking destinations!
Tokyo & Cairo & Lisbon & London!
Lets visit places such as Tokyo, Cairo, Lisbon and London too!
Wonderful fabulous places we're longing to see!
All these remarkable and adventuresome places that we have been dreaming of appreciating and enjoying for ourselves!
I'd give anything just to have one single day there!
These destinations sound so incredible that I would be willing to pay any price or cost just to have even one single day there to experience it all!
And once we get there,
Once we finally get to these amazing locations,
I know that we'll stay there!
I believe that we will have such an unforgettable and mind-blowing experience that we will not want to leave!
Stay in those fabulous places
We will want to remain in these dazzling and delightful locations
We're longing to be!
That we have been yearning to visit for so long!
Such as Siam! Sienna! Vienna! Verona!
These spellbinding locations like Siam, Sienna, Vienna, and Verona, are just a few of the spectacular destinations we should strive to visit.
Java! Jamaica! Bombay! Barcelona!
We should also endeavour to explore other awe-inspiring destinations such as Java, Jamaica, Bombay and Barcelona!
Show me those fabulous places
Let's go to these breathtaking and fascinating places
We're longing to see!
We have been longing and dreaming of visiting these stunning places, so let's make that a reality for ourselves!
Longing to see!
We have an intense desire to witness and experience the beauty and adventure that these destinations have to offer
Longing to see!
A heartfelt desire and urge to see and experience all these captivating and awe-inspiring destinations that the world has to offer!
Just you and me
Let's go to all these magnificent destinations together and experience them as a team!
Contributed by Ryan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@comeflywithtanyaontwa958
I Worked for TWA Trans World Airlines in St. Louis. MO. for 38 years. I have been to 98% of the places that he sings in this song. IT gives me goosepimples..& makes me teary eyed..thank you Sammy. Gratefully , Tanya.M. Tesone
@chiptenor
Great fun and care-free song, Sammy. Thanks, for that wonderful rendition.
@dennislee4868
Awesome tune
@t.p.mckenna
Recorded by SDJ at the Olympic Studios in London in 1967 when he laid down all the hit songs from Doctor Dolittle in brilliant arrangements by the great Marty Paich.
@jjwassa44
One my favourite songs done by the great Sammy Davis jnr.
@thelmad9757
Love this!
@therealitalianstallion
My favorites are,The candy man..And Mr Bojangles..
@nazarenalusana0691
❤❤❤❤❤