The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active… Read Full Bio ↴The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active from 1958 until 1983, whose repertoire included doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B.

The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.

Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.

Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)

Discography

Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire

Satin Doll
The Impressions Lyrics

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Cigarette holder, which a wigs me
And over her shoulder, she digs me
Out cattin', my satin doll, wee-ooh

Baby shall we go, out skippin'
And careful amigo, you're flipping
She speaks Latin, my Satin Doll

Well she's nobody's fool
So I'm playing it cool as can be be-e-e-ee
Well I'll give it a whirl
But I ain't for no girl catching me
Hear what I say
Switch-a-rooney

And it's telephone numbers, well a you know
Doing our rhumbas with uno
And that is, my Satin Doll

Well she's nobody's fool
So I'm playing it cool as can be be-ee-eee
Well I'll give it a whirl
But I ain't for no girl, catching me
Hear what I say
Switch-a-rooney

And it's telephone numbers, well you know
Doing our rhumbas with uno
And that is, my Satin Doll

Say one more time now
That is it, my Satin Doll
One more time now
I love her, my Satin Doll

Be doo - be doo - be doo - be doo
Doo wah

Overall Meaning

The Impressions' song Satin Doll is a groovy, jazz-influenced tune that tells the story of a man who is completely infatuated with his "satin doll," an attractive woman who catches his eye. The song is full of playful, flirtatious language that showcases the man's desire for her. He talks of her cigarette holder and how she wears her wig, noting that she has the ability to entrance him with just a glance over her shoulder. He invites her to go out with him and notes that he needs to be careful not to trip over himself around her because she "speaks Latin."

Throughout the song, it is clear that the man is enamored with this woman but also knows that she is not someone to take lightly. He recognizes that she is "nobody's fool," and he is determined to be cool around her. He talks of the telephone numbers they exchange and the rhumbas they do together, all the while emphasizing that she is "his" Satin Doll.

Overall, the song is a catchy, upbeat tune that emphasizes the playful ups and downs of infatuation. It showcases the man's desire for this woman while also acknowledging her strength and intelligence. The use of playful and flirtatious language adds to the overall feel of the song and makes it an enjoyable listen.

Line by Line Meaning

Cigarette holder, which a wigs me
She's smoking a cigarette and holding it in a holder, and it intrigues me.

And over her shoulder, she digs me
She looks back at me over her shoulder, and I sense she's interested in me.

Out cattin', my satin doll, wee-ooh
We're out and about having a good time, she's my beautiful companion.

Baby shall we go, out skippin'
Do you want to go out dancing?

And careful amigo, you're flipping
Be careful, my friend, you're acting foolish.

She speaks Latin, my Satin Doll
She's fluent in Latin, my lovely companion.

Well she's nobody's fool
She's smart and can't be easily fooled.

So I'm playing it cool as can be be-e-e-ee
I'm trying to act cool around her.

Well I'll give it a whirl
I'll take a shot at trying to win her over.

But I ain't for no girl catching me
I won't get caught up with any girl too easily.

Hear what I say
Listen to what I'm telling you.