Composer

:

Duke Ellington

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Popular

Compose Date

:

1953

Average_duration

:

3:12

"Satin Doll" is a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington in 1953. It was written with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and Billy Strayhorn. The song was first recorded by Ellington and his orchestra in 1953 and was released as a single in the same year. The song has since become a jazz standard and has been covered by numerous artists. The song is a medium-tempo swing tune with a 32-bar AABA form. The melody is simple and catchy, with a memorable opening riff played by the horns. The A section of the tune features a descending chord progression, while the B section has a more static harmony. The song is in the key of C major, with a bridge in the key of F major. The lyrics of "Satin Doll" are about a woman who is elegant and sophisticated, but also down-to-earth and approachable. The song's title refers to the woman's dress, which is made of satin. The lyrics are playful and witty, with Mercer and Strayhorn using clever wordplay and rhymes. The song's premiere was on the radio program "The Ellington Bandwagon" in 1953. It was later recorded by Ellington and his orchestra for the album "Ellington '55" in 1955. The song has since been recorded by numerous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Wilson. "Satin Doll" has three distinct sections, each with its own melody and chord progression. The first section features the memorable opening riff played by the horns. The second section is the bridge, which has a more relaxed and lyrical melody. The third section is a variation of the first section, with a slightly different melody and chord progression. The song's characteristics include its catchy melody, memorable opening riff, and playful lyrics. The song is also notable for its use of swing rhythm and its simple, yet effective harmonic structure. The song has become a jazz standard and is often played at jam sessions and gigs. Its popularity is a testament to Ellington's skill as a composer and arranger, as well as his ability to create timeless music that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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