Tangerine
Tommy and 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 song "Tangerine" by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey is a romantic ballad that revolves around a woman who is incredibly beautiful and captivating. The lyrics draw attention to her shimmering eyes, and lips that are bright as flames. She is a great dancer who enchants all who behold her, making senoritas stare and caballeros sigh. Tangerine seems to be leading many men on with her beauty, but she is only fooling herself, as her heart belongs to just one person. The song romanticizes the woman and her effect on people, as it highlights her charm and the attention she draws.
The song's lyrics are full of vivid imagery that evokes the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The toasts raised to Tangerine by everyone across the Argentine, the clothes she wears with "From Macy's Mezzanine" label, and her lipstick, possibly attributed to the colour referred to as "Louis Philippe" creates an image of luxury and exoticism. The song also hints at the allure of the city's nightlife, and how it facilitates Tangerine's ability to mesmerize and ensnare.
Line by Line Meaning
Tangerine
This song is about a woman named Tangerine
She is all they claim
Tangerine is as wonderful as people say she is
With her eyes of night and lips as bright as flame
Tangerine has beautiful and captivating eyes and lips
When she dances by
Senoritas stare and caballeros sigh
When Tangerine dances, women and men can't help but admire her beauty
And I've seen
Toasts to Tangerine
Raised in every bar across the Argentine
People in Argentina love Tangerine so much that they raise toasts to her in every bar
Yes, she has them all on the run
But her heart belongs to just one
Her heart belongs to Tangerine
Tangerine has many admirers, but she only loves one person and that person is herself
She is all they say
Tangerine really lives up to her reputation
With mascara'd eye and chapeaux by Dache
Tangerine wears fancy make-up and hats made by the famous designer Dache
With her lips of flame
If the colour keeps, Louis Philippe's to blame
Tangerine's lipstick is so bright that it could only be the fault of the famous cosmetic brand Louis Philippe
And I've seen
Clothes on Tangerine
Where the label says "From Macy's Mezzanine"
Even though Tangerine is wealthy and famous, she still finds affordable and stylish clothing at Macy's Mezzanine
Yes, she's got the guys in a whirl
But she's only fooling one girl
She's only fooling Tangerine!
Tangerine may have many admirers, but she's only fooling herself about her true worth and importance
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 🎵