Satin Doll
Wilson Nancy Lyrics
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Over her shoulder, she digs me.
Out cattin' that satin doll.
Baby, shall we go out skippin?
Careful, amigo, you're flippin',
Speaks Latin that satin doll.
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me,
Switch-a-rooney!
Telephone numbers well you know,
Doin' my rhumbas with uno
And that 'in my Satin Doll.
The opening lines of "Satin Doll" by Wilson Nancy exemplify an idiosyncratic approach to courtship. The singer notes that the woman in question wigs him with her cigarette holder, indicating that she possesses a je ne sais quoi that captures his attention. Furthermore, he admires her enough to be willing to go out cattin'. However, she does not accept any nonsense, so the singer claims to be playing it cool. He is willing to give it a whirl just to get close to her, but he would not allow himself to be caught. Meanwhile, the woman is enigmatic, speaking Latin, and possessing a satin-doll-like allure.
The chorus consists of the singer rhapsodizing about his time spent doing the rhumba with her. The number of telephone numbers he has acquired (as he suggests in the second verse) shows his swagger and confidence in his ability to win women's hearts. By the end of the song, it is clear that the singer sees himself as someone who can play the field and has an eye for the ladies, but he is also drawn to the mystery that this particular woman presents.
Line by Line Meaning
Cigarette holder which wigs me
She uses a cigarette holder, which makes me think she's sophisticated and elegant.
Over her shoulder, she digs me.
She's looking over her shoulder at me, which makes me feel desirable and wanted.
Out cattin' that satin doll.
She's out on the town, being seen and admired, like a beautiful satin doll.
Baby, shall we go out skippin?
Do you want to go out and have fun together?
Careful, amigo, you're flippin',
Be careful, my friend, you're getting too excited.
Speaks Latin that satin doll.
She's elegant and sophisticated, like a woman who speaks Latin.
She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be.
She's smart and savvy, so I need to act cool and composed around her.
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me, Switch-a-rooney!
I'll try to impress her, but I'm not going to fall for any woman's tricks.
Telephone numbers well you know,
She has many admirers and potential suitors.
Doin' my rhumbas with uno
I'm dancing with her, enjoying ourselves.
And that 'in my Satin Doll.
We're having a great time together, like she's my beautiful Satin Doll.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, JOHNNY MERCER, BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind