Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Washington Dinah Lyrics
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Any time we have a date
But I love him
Yes I love him
I'm gonna walk up to his gate
See if we can't get this thing straight
Cause I want him
Say is you is, or is you ain't my baby
The way you're acting lately, it makes me doubt
You is still my baby, baby
But it seems like my flame in your heart, done gone out
A man is a creature
That has always been strange
Just when you're sure of one
You'll find that he's gone and made a change
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Well, maybe baby's found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true
Now is you is or is you ain't my baby
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Is my baby still my baby true
I guess my baby's found somebody new
And I'd better get right up and go out and find me somebody too
I said I'd go out and find me somebody too
The song "Is you is or is you ain't my baby" is a famous jazz and blues song by Louis Jordan, performed also by Dinah Washington, and it talks about a woman's concern of whether or not her man is still interested in her. The lyrics begin with the lead character expressing her frustration with her man, who is often late whenever they have a date, but despite his lateness, the woman claims that she still loves him. She takes initiative by visiting his gate, hoping to reconcile and clear up their misunderstandings so that their relationship can continue. The chorus, "Is you is or is you ain't my baby?", is the question that appears throughout the song, which suggests that the woman is trying to figure out whether her man still feels the same way as he did before. Additionally, the song discusses how challenging it can be to understand a man because their behaviors can be unpredictable, and they are prone to changing their minds often.
The singer realizes that a man is a "strange creature," that can do things differently compared to what one expects. This implies that even someone close to a man can struggle to understand his mysterious ways, and it can be frustrating to know that one moment he seems interested, and next minute he seems disengaged. The lines "You is still my baby, baby, But it seems like my flame in your heart, done gone out" reflect the woman's worry that her partner has lost interest in her, and she is having doubts about the sustainability of their relationship. The lyrics recognize a woman's need for an answer and reassurance, as she says, "I want him, and I'm going to have him." Overall, the song portrays the complexity of a romantic relationship and the importance of effective communication.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a man that's always late
My significant other is never punctual
Any time we have a date
Whenever we make plans together
But I love him
Despite his lack of punctuality, I possess deep affection for him
Yes I love him
I genuinely love him
I'm gonna walk up to his gate
I will reach out to him
See if we can't get this thing straight
I will try to fix our problems
Cause I want him
Because I still love him
And I'm gonna have him
I will make things right and win him back
Say is you is, or is you ain't my baby
Please confirm if you still consider me your partner
The way you're acting lately, it makes me doubt
Your recent behavior makes me question your commitment to our relationship
You is still my baby, baby
I hope you still love me too
But it seems like my flame in your heart, done gone out
I fear that your love for me may have faded away
A man is a creature
Males are complex beings
That has always been strange
And their behavior isn't always predictable
Just when you're sure of one
Just when you think you understand them
You'll find that he's gone and made a change
They go ahead and change their behavior unexpectedly
Well, maybe baby's found somebody new
Perhaps you have met someone else
Or is my baby still my baby true
Or are you still dedicated to our relationship
Now is you is or is you ain't my baby
Once again, I ask if I am still your partner
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Perhaps you have moved on
Is my baby still my baby true
Or are you staying committed to us
I guess my baby's found somebody new
It seems as though you have replaced me with another partner
And I'd better get right up and go out and find me somebody too
Therefore, I will also move on and find someone else
I said I'd go out and find me somebody too
I had indeed mentioned my intention to look for another partner earlier
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Austin, Louis Jordan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind