Flamingo
Duke Ellington
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Flamingo, like a flame in the sky Flying over the island To my lover nearby Flamingo, with your tropical hue For it's you I rely on And the love that is true The wind sings a song to you as you go The song that I hear below The murmuring heart Flamingo, when the sun meets the sea Say farewell to my lover And hasten to me Ah, oh, ah, oh, oh, oh Flamingo Flamingo Flamingo, when the sun meets the sea Say farewell to my lover And hasten to me Ah, oh, oh, oh, oh, ah
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Written by: EDMUND ANDERSON, TED GROUYA
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Composition"Flamingo" was written by Ted Grouya and Edmund Anderson. Even though it was made famous by Duke Ellington's orchestra and Herb Jeffries, neither of them was involved in the composition of the song.
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PerformanceHerb Jeffries, an African-American singer and actor, performed "Flamingo" as the lead vocalist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. His version of the song was particularly known for its distinctive deep, resonant voice.
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Release Date"Flamingo" was released in 1941.
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Commercial SuccessThe song became a major hit and sold over a million copies. It was instrumental in raising Herb Jeffries' profile as a singer.
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Legacy and Influence"Flamingo" is considered a jazz and pop standard. Numerous artists have covered it over the decades, including artists outside of the jazz genre.
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Significance in Ellington's CareerThe success of "Flamingo" helped to strengthen Duke Ellington's reputation as one of the leading figures in jazz music.
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Personal MeaningFor Herb Jeffries, the song was more than a career-making hit. He later noted that the flamingo, which stands on one foot and survives in both land and water, symbolized his own identity as a biracial person.
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Cultural SignificanceThe song went on to become a part of popular culture and has been featured in numerous films, including "The Shape of Water" and "The Help".
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InstrumentationDuke Ellington was known for his innovative arrangements and "Flamingo" was no exception. It features a rich, sophisticated orchestration, showcasing the Duke's detailed, impressionistic compositional style.
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Performance StyleEllington's version of "Flamingo" is notable for its subtle, restrained performance style, emphasizing mood and atmosphere rather than flashy solos. The performance was groundbreaking at the time and helped to pave the way for the cool jazz movement of the 1950s.
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Citation
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"Flamingo Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/15825302/Duke+Ellington/Flamingo>.
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