Cugat was born Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Bru y Deulofeo in Girona, Spain. His family immigrated to Cuba when he was five. He trained as a classical violinist and played with the Orchestra of the Teatro Nacional in Havana.
Sometime between 1915 and 1918, Cugat moved to New York, where he played with a band called "The Gigolos" during the tango craze. Later, he went to work for the Los Angeles Times as a cartoonist (Cugat's caricatures were later nationally syndicated).
In the late 1920s, when sound began to be used in films, Cugat put together a tango band that had some success in early short musical films. By the early 1930s, he began appearing with his group in feature films. Cugat took his band to New York to open the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel and it became the hotel's resident group.
He shuttled between New York and Los Angeles for most of the next thirty years, alternating hotel and radio dates with movie appearances.
In 1940, he recorded the song Perfidia with singer Miguelito Valdés which became a big hit. Cugat followed trends closely, making records for the conga, the mambo, the cha-cha-cha, and the twist when each were in fashion.
His first marriage in 1952 was to singer, Abbe Lane, they performed together until they divorced in 1964. He married salsa dancer Charo on August 7, 1966; the two were the first couple to marry in the newly opened Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Cugat did not lose sleep over artistic compromises: "I would rather play
Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve."
Cugat died of heart failure at age 90 in Barcelona, in his native province of Catalonia, Spain.
Lady in Red
Xavier Cugat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's the toast of the town?
A work of art without a question
You'd better write her number down
Oh! the lady in red, the fellows are crazy
For the lady in red
She's a bit gaudy, but laudy
What a personality
When the town is in bed
Dancing and dining and shining
With originally
She is very proper
She's nothing more than a pal
But oh me! and oh my! you'd never stop her
She'd be a dangerous gal
If she should ever meet the right guy
Oh! the lady in red, the fellows are crazy
For the lady in red
Is she a study, oh! buddy
What a personality
She's got vitality
Xavier Cugat's classic song "Lady in Red" is about a striking and fashionable woman who catches the attention of everyone in town. The song is meant to express admiration for this beautiful and well-liked lady, who is the center of attention no matter where she goes. The opening lines of the song ask the listener if they have ever met someone like her, someone who is deemed the toast of the town. Her impressive appearance and demeanor are further emphasized in lines like "a work of art without a question."
Cugat's lyrics go on to describe “the lady in red” as a bit of an attention-grabbing show-off, who loves to dance and shine. Yet despite her somewhat flashy exterior, she remains surprisingly proper and well-mannered. The lyrics suggest that she is a friend to many but could be a dangerous catch if she ever found the right man. All throughout, the tune’s dramatic sound, and catchy melody make it a memorable composition that has endured the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Say! Have you ever met the girl
Have you had the chance to cross paths with a woman
Who's the toast of the town?
Who is the most popular and adored in the community?
A work of art without a question
An individual who is extremely beautiful and breathtaking
You'd better write her number down
It would be wise to take note of her contact information
Oh! the lady in red, the fellows are crazy
The woman dressed in red drives men wild
For the lady in red
She is the center of attention
She's a bit gaudy, but laudy
Although her outfit may be flashy, she is still quite charming and attractive
What a personality
Her character and individuality is impressive and captivating
Oh! the lady in red, is fresh as a daisy
She looks and feels refreshed and full of energy
When the town is in bed
During the nighttime when the community is asleep
Dancing and dining and shining
She is out and about, enjoying social activities and glowing
With originally
Being herself, unique and genuine
She is very proper
Her behavior and manners are appropriate and respectable
She's nothing more than a pal
She is only a friend who is not romantically involved
But oh me! and oh my! you'd never stop her
She is unstoppable and determined in her pursuits
She'd be a dangerous gal
If she finds the right partner, she could become quite the heartbreaker
If she should ever meet the right guy
Assuming she crosses paths with the ideal man
Oh! the lady in red, the fellows are crazy
Once again, the men are mad about her
For the lady in red
They cannot get enough of her
Is she a study, oh! buddy
Is she not the most fascinating and intriguing person?
What a personality
She truly stands out and is remarkable
She's got vitality
She radiates life and joy
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chris De Burgh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brucejones8047
Totally digging it, my friend!
@mstropicaldreams2007
I remember this on 8 track
@mrpsychodeliasmith
As played in the Twilight Zone episode "Young Man's Fancy".
@scotnick59
Expecting a vocal by Ricky Ricardo!
@askovarjorinne9074
Good old X C!!!! 👉👉🎙🎙🎶🎶
@sophieoconnor1764
He was married to Charo, right?
@CooterWiggly
I have this, and 100+ more 78s and need to get them appraised (near Seattle) for sale. Any suggestions?
@evalex71
Blood Simple brought me here