Tangerine
Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey Lyrics
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She is all they claim
With her eyes of night and lips as bright as flame
Tangerine
When she dances by
Senoritas stare and caballeros sigh
And I've seen
Toasts to Tangerine
Yes, she has them all on the run
But her heart belongs to just one
Her heart belongs to Tangerine
Tangerine
She is all they say
With mascara'd eye and chapeaux by Dache
Tangerine
With her lips of flame
If the colour keeps, Louis Philippe's to blame
And I've seen
Clothes on Tangerine
Where the label says "From Macy's Mezzanine"
Yes, she's got the guys in a whirl
But she's only fooling one girl
She's only fooling Tangerine!
The lyrics to Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey's song "Tangerine" describe the enchanting character of a woman named Tangerine, who has everyone captivated with her beauty and charm. With "her eyes of night" and "lips as bright as flame," Tangerine commands the attention of senoritas and caballeros alike when she dances by. The song speaks to the infatuation that Tangerine inspires in others as everybody raises toasts in her honor and trembles in her presence. Yet, despite her widespread appeal, Tangerine's heart belongs to just one person.
Throughout the song, the lyrics present a contrast between Tangerine's alluring, flirtatious persona and her true self. The second verse makes it clear that Tangerine puts on a show for the men around her, making sure her makeup and fashion are always on point to keep them chasing after her. However, the chorus reveals that deep down, Tangerine is "only fooling one girl" - herself. The song seems to suggest that Tangerine's power over others ultimately cannot fulfill her, as she remains alone with her own unfulfilled desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Tangerine, she is all they claim
People say that Tangerine is perfect in every way
With her eyes of night and lips as bright as flame
Tangerine has beautiful dark eyes and full red lips
Tangerine, when she dances by, senoritas stare and caballeros sigh
When Tangerine dances, women are envious and men are smitten
And I've seen toasts to Tangerine raised in every bar across the Argentine
Tangerine is so famous that people all over Argentina raise a toast to her when she is mentioned
Yes, she has them all on the run, but her heart belongs to just one
Although Tangerine is desired by many, she is committed to one person
Tangerine, she is all they say, with mascara'd eye and chapeaux by Dache
People talk about Tangerine's beauty, mentioning her dark mascaraed eyes and stylish hats made by Dache
Tangerine, with her lips of flame, if the color keeps, Louis Philippe's to blame
Tangerine has bright red lips, and if the color stays for a long time, it's because of the lipstick brand Louis Philippe
And I've seen clothes on Tangerine where the label says 'from Macy's Mezzanine'
Tangerine wears clothes from Macy's Mezzanine store
Yes, she's got the guys in a whirl, but she's only fooling one girl
Although many guys are after Tangerine, she is only interested in one girl
She's only fooling Tangerine!
Tangerine is pretending to be something she is not, as if she is deceiving herself
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@renatonunes2550
It amazes me how the younger American generations are so ignorant of such beautiful music like this and all the Big Band Era's great melodies and songs. They have no idea what they are missing. SUCH BEAUTY ! 🥲
@moonglows1
Good morning: I never reply to any comments but I am compelled to do so with yours: I was a high school history teacher for 35 years and I used all kinds of music to "teach" my students depending on the era, etc...yes, it is certainly sad that our youth has no appreciation for this wonderful music, but in my classes and when I played this music, the response was amazing. Over the years I accumulated thousands of original songs, artists, etc...and now I go around and entertain seniors with what I accumulated. I could go on, but you are totally "right -on" (expression from my time). Besides, Helen O'Connell...what a "dish!" I've had a crush on her since I discovered her. I spend hours on YouTube searching for clips, songs, etc... you'd be surprised if you saw how many of our young people love this music if it is exposed to them in the correct context. Music is the poetry of our souls.
@thenevadadesertrat2713
This cuts two ways. The younger generation thinks the same of us (I am 900.
@davidbrown7546
Oh my. Older than Methuselah. Congrats. You got me beat by 818 years!
@Postumeartist
Actually, you can thank video games for getting the younger generation back into this music. While satellite radio got me started into it, a couple of very popular video games got even more kids into it.
If this were on the radio more where I live, I’d listen to it consistently.
@user-uy2vj5xe8l
Archie Bunker sings this song when meathead offers him money
@powers1079
Bob Eberly grew up in Hoosick Falls, NY and my grandparents loved his music and were good friends with his brother Al Eberly and his wife Anne. Bob's niece Joanne is a friend of my mother and went to school together at Hoosick Fall Central School. Bob returned to Hoosick Falls in 1977 for a homecoming concert at St. Mary's school. My grandparents sat with the Eberly family and Bob came over to where they were sitting and talked with them at the end of the concert. It was very memorable for my grandparents.
@michelleleeschaeffer3482
That’s awesome! My grandpa Bob took me to hoo sick falls that years. I had a blast running through the corn fields!!
@mikeappignani4383
I'm 60 years 🧓 old MY Dad And His Buddies Would Listen 👂 to All These wonderful songs. I'm From East Boston. They would All Sing Along IN A social club In Maverick Square. Most of Them Were ww2 Veterans. And Long shore Men. AND MERCHANTS MARINES. GOD I LOVED EVERYONE OF THEM GUYS .THEY WERE THE GREATEST GENERATION. BY FAR.THANKYOU GOD FOR LETTING ME GET TO KNOW THEM.
@christinemiller1735
I was born in 59 and love this song 🎵❤
Such a beautiful classic song 🎵