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.
The Goin's Great
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Answer: Yes, the going's great
Question: Is the livin' fine?
Answer: Yes, the living's fine
I've got someone, it's such fun to cling to
If I could I would describe that face Someone that I mean everything to
And I'm in Heaven as it were
Every time I'm in her embrace
So, question: Is the goin' great?
Here's my answer: Yes, the going's great
The milk and honey's flowing
And my love for her keeps growin'
Which makes the lovin' goin' great
Great!
Question: Is the goin' great?
Here's my answer: Yeah, the going's great
That milk and honey's flowing
And my love for her keeps growin'
Which makes the lovin' goin' great
Great!
The lyrics to Sammy Davis Jr.'s The Goin's Great are a reflection of a happy and contented life the singer is enjoying. Through a question and answer format, the singer confirms that everything in his life is great. He talks about his special someone and how he cherishes every moment spent with them. He uses phrases such as "it's such fun to cling to" and "someone that I mean everything to" to show how much he values his loved one. The lyrics also use imagery to describe the feeling of being in love, "And I'm in Heaven as it were, every time I'm in her embrace".
The song then goes back to the question and answer format to confirm that everything is great, and the singer talks about how love and affection are flowing between him and his partner. The use of the phrase 'milk and honey' is a significant one, as it refers to a metaphorical representation of abundance and prosperity. The final line repeats the answer, "the going's great great!", reinforcing the positive and happy nature of the lyrics.
Overall, The Goin's Great is a cheerful and joyful song about the happiness that love can bring. Sammy Davis Jr.'s lyrics are full of exuberance, and the bright and upbeat tone of the song perfectly captures the joyful mood of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got someone, it's such fun to cling to
I have a special someone in my life that brings me joy and happiness
If I could I would describe that face
If I had the words to express how beautiful and amazing they are, I would
Someone that I mean everything to
Someone who I hold in the highest regard and have deep affection for
And I'm in Heaven as it were
Being with this person makes me feel like I'm in paradise
Every time I'm in her embrace
When I am held in the arms of my significant other, I feel complete and content
So, question: Is the goin' great?
Are things going well for me?
Here's my answer: Yes, the going's great
Yes, things are going very well for me
The milk and honey's flowing
Everything is plentiful and enjoyable
And my love for her keeps growin'
My feelings of love toward my significant other are continually increasing
Which makes the lovin' goin' great
Because of my love for this person, our relationship is thriving
Great!
Things are great and I am happy
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Goler
This is absolutely great. Thanks for posting.
tvfats
Yeppers, this was indeed the theme used by Pan Am in all their ads back in the 60's...And Sammy nails it...I played this cut from his new album back in the mid-60's when I was a high pitched teen DJ on KVFM in Panorama City in the San Fernando Valley...Oh, I still get chills when the band gets cookin! So cool...
esca7902
Sammy you and Pan Am were both a class act. I truly miss your art and the pleasure of getting on a Yankee Clipper and going anywhere with a beautiful and classy flight attendant. Sammy you and Pan Am are no longer around but both of you will always be remember with love .
ElCid48
As I recollect this was the theme chosen by Pan American Airways for their advertising in the early 70's.
hudshsoft
Great indeed
hydropolite
good song - much better than the psychedelic crap i was listening back then ...