If My Friends Could See Me Now
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics


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Super, if they could see me now
That little gang of mine
I'm eatin' fancy chow and drinkin' fancy wine
I'd like those stumble bums to see for a fact
The kind of top-drawer, first-rate chums I attract
All I can say is "Wow-ee, look-a where I am"
Tonight I landed, pow!
Right in a pot of jam
What a setup, holy cow!
They'd never believe me
If my friends could see me now!

If they could see me now
My little dusty group
Traipsin' round this million dollar chicken coop
I'd hear those thrift shop cats say, "Brother get him!
Draped on a bedspread made from three kinds of skin!"
All I can say is "Wow!"
Wait till the riff and raff
See just exactly how she signed her autograph
What a build up, holy cow!
They'd never believe me
If my friends could see me now!

If they could see me now alone with Mrs. V
Who's waitin' on me like she was a maitre'd
I hear my buddies sayin', "Wow, what gives?
Tonight he's living just like the other half lives!"
To think the highest brow which I must say is she
Should pick the lowest brow which there's no doubt is me
What a step up, wow, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me, if my friends could see me





If my friends could see me now!
Take a look at me now, take a look at me now

Overall Meaning

Sammy Davis Jr.'s song "If My Friends Could See Me Now" is a declaration of triumph and self-satisfaction. The singer is reveling in his newfound success and luxury, reflecting on how far he has come from his previous humble beginnings. He imagines the reactions of his old friends and acquaintances to his current lifestyle, perhaps expecting jealousy, disbelief, or admiration. The lyrics glow with excitement and enthusiasm, as if the singer can't believe his good fortune and wants to share his happiness with the world.


The first stanza paints a picture of extravagance, with the singer enjoying "fancy chow and drinkin' fancy wine." He contrasts his current companions with his "little gang" from before, implying that he has traded up in social status. The second stanza takes this theme further, with the singer being envied by "thrift shop cats" who can't believe he's ended up in a "million dollar chicken coop." He mentions a bedspread made from "three kinds of skin," a clear symbol of luxury and excess. The final stanza introduces a female character, Mrs. V, who is treating the singer like a "maitre'd." Once again, the singer plays up the contrast between his low status and Mrs. V's high status, imagining his buddies exclaiming over the unexpected pairing.


Throughout the song, we get a sense that the singer is almost in disbelief at how his life has turned out. He keeps repeating "Wow" and "Holy cow," as if he can barely believe his own eyes. There's an infectious joy and exuberance to the lyrics that makes it impossible not to feel happy for the singer, even if we don't necessarily envy him.


Line by Line Meaning

Super, if they could see me now
I am so happy with where I am right now that it would be amazing if my friends could see me and join me here.


That little gang of mine
My group of friends from my past that would not understand the level of luxury that I am experiencing now.


I'm eatin' fancy chow and drinkin' fancy wine
I am enjoying high-end and expensive food and drinks.


I'd like those stumble bums to see for a fact
I really want those who have doubted or underestimated me to witness my success.


The kind of top-drawer, first-rate chums I attract
I have been able to associate myself with high-caliber and prominent individuals.


All I can say is "Wow-ee, look-a where I am"
I am so impressed and amazed by my current situation.


Tonight I landed, pow!
I am experiencing a significant and remarkable turn of events that I did not anticipate.


Right in a pot of jam
I have found myself in an extremely favorable situation.


What a setup, holy cow!
This situation is beyond amazing and surprising.


They'd never believe me
My friends from the past would never believe that I am experiencing such a high level of success and luxury.


My little dusty group
The same group of friends from my past that would not understand my current success and luxury.


Traipsin' round this million dollar chicken coop
I am enjoying the high-end and luxurious environment that I am currently surrounded by.


I'd hear those thrift shop cats say, "Brother get him!
My friends from the past would be surprised and amazed that I am associated with such an affluent crowd.


Draped on a bedspread made from three kinds of skin!"
I am experiencing high-end and luxurious amenities that I never thought possible.


Wait till the riff and raff
I cannot wait until my friends from my past see my current situation.


See just exactly how she signed her autograph
They will be so impressed when they witness the level of success and luxury that I am now experiencing.


What a build up, holy cow!
This situation is beyond what I imagined or expected.


They'd never believe me
My friends from the past would be in disbelief that I am experiencing such a high level of success and luxury.


If they could see me now alone with Mrs. V
If my past friends witnessed me spending time with such a high-end individual as Mrs. V they would be amazed.


Who's waitin' on me like she was a maitre'd
Mrs. V treats me with a level of respect typically reserved for a high-end restaurant maître d'.


I hear my buddies sayin', "Wow, what gives?
My past friends would be questioning how I am living such a luxurious life.


Tonight he's living just like the other half lives!"
My current situation is beyond what my past friends would have thought possible for me.


To think the highest brow which I must say is she
It is surprising to think that someone of Mrs. V's high societal standing would associate with me.


Should pick the lowest brow which there's no doubt is me
It is even more surprising that Mrs. V has chosen to associate with someone like me who comes from a lower social class.


What a step up, wow, holy cow!
The level of success and luxury that I am experiencing is beyond my wildest dreams.


They'd never believe it
My friends from the past would never believe that I am experiencing such a high level of success and luxury.


If my friends could see me, if my friends could see me
If only my friends from the past could witness my current success and luxury.


If my friends could see me now!
I wish that my friends from the past could see where I am now in my life.




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Cy Coleman, D. Fields

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Tey Chhorn

If they could see me now
That little gang of mine
I'm eatin' fancy chow and drinkin' fancy wine
I'd like those stumble bums
To see for a fact
The kind of top-drawer, first-rate chums I attract
All I can say is "Wow-ee!"
Look-a where I am
Tonight I landed, POW!
Right in a pot of jam
What a setup, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!

If they could see me now
My little dusty group
Traipsin' round this million dollar chicken coop
I'd hear those thrift shop cats say, "Brother get her!
Draped on a bedspread made from three kinds of fur!"
All I can say is "Wow!"
Wait till the riff and raff
See just exactly how
He signed his autograph
What a build up, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!


If they could see me now
Alone with Mr. V
Who's waitin' on me like he was a maitre'd
I hear my buddies sayin', "Crazy, what gives?
Tonight she's living like the other half lives!"
To think the highest brow
Which I must say is he
Should pick the lowest brow
Which there's no doubt is me
What a step up, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!

They'd never believe it!
They'd never believe it!
If my friends could see me now!
Hi girls, it's me! Charity!



All comments from YouTube:

Brian C

Timeless song performed to perfection

Vegonia Lozano

if only if only they could bring music like this back

Steven Williams

Maxine Barry stars in th

Kole Berdinoch

They don't need to. It's right here.

sovaine

This style of music will last forever:-):-):-):-)

glammer

I've got a playlist of stuff from the same sessions. My dad had a couple of albums on Reprise, which were his best work. A lot of them have the same style of starting quietly and just building until he's rocking out at the end. This is on The Most Beautiful Songs of Sammy Davis. The other album is a Treasury of Golden Hits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qRgzQNq4Ps&list=PLGOiJw43mmeEk2ra1oPH4I6dVPgHdoMtH

Tey Chhorn

If they could see me now
That little gang of mine
I'm eatin' fancy chow and drinkin' fancy wine
I'd like those stumble bums
To see for a fact
The kind of top-drawer, first-rate chums I attract
All I can say is "Wow-ee!"
Look-a where I am
Tonight I landed, POW!
Right in a pot of jam
What a setup, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!

If they could see me now
My little dusty group
Traipsin' round this million dollar chicken coop
I'd hear those thrift shop cats say, "Brother get her!
Draped on a bedspread made from three kinds of fur!"
All I can say is "Wow!"
Wait till the riff and raff
See just exactly how
He signed his autograph
What a build up, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!


If they could see me now
Alone with Mr. V
Who's waitin' on me like he was a maitre'd
I hear my buddies sayin', "Crazy, what gives?
Tonight she's living like the other half lives!"
To think the highest brow
Which I must say is he
Should pick the lowest brow
Which there's no doubt is me
What a step up, holy cow!
They'd never believe it
If my friends could see me now!

They'd never believe it!
They'd never believe it!
If my friends could see me now!
Hi girls, it's me! Charity!

QueenKiki

SHE SHE SHE SHE SHE

Stephen Whiteman

The Greatest Entertainer Ever Thank You so Much Sammy

Stanbily 🐑

You are joking, right? Haha! Michael Jackson is.

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