"Satin Doll" is a jazz standard written by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Written in 1953, the song has been recorded countless times, by such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, 101 Strings, Terry Callier, and Nancy Wilson. Its chord progression is well known for its unusual use of chords and opening with a ii-V-I turnaround.
Johnny Mercer was often asked to write lyrics to already popular songs. The lyrics to "Satin Doll" were written after the song was already a hit in its instrumental version. Ellington used "Satin Doll" as the closing number at most of his concerts.
It is possible that the music was not co-composed by Ellington but solely by pianist-arranger Billy Strayhorn, who worked closely with Ellington.
The Coasters released a version of the song on their 1960 album, One by One.
The popular 1950s group, The Gaylords recorded a version of "Satin Doll" in 1958.
The American vocal group The Stylistics recorded a cover version for their 1976 album, Once Upon a Juke Box.
Famous quotes containing the words satin and/or doll:
“Gossip is news running ahead of itself in a red satin dress.”
—Liz Smith (b. 1923)
“Some men are all right in their place—if they only knew the right places.”
—Raoul Walsh, U.S. screenwriter. Frisco Doll (Mae West)