The 1950’s Songs of Eartha Kitt

by Avis Yarbrough

Born in 1927, Eartha Kitt - songtress, actress, activist, and probably best known for playing catwoman in the 1960’s television series Batman, had a string of fun, witty, and clever hit songs in the 1950’s. Eartha Kitt’s, seductive voice brought life and sophistication to old standards and new songs alike.

In 1952, Eartha Kitt appeared in a Broadway show called, ‘New Faces,’ The show featured songs like "Cest Si Bon and Santa Baby,’ later recorded by Ms. Kitt. Also, in the 1950’s she recorded "Lets do It, Just an Old Fashioned Girl, Love For Sale, I want to Be Evil and Uska Dara." 

Ms. Kitt sings ‘Old Fashioned Girl,’ irony and sweetness. It is about a young woman whose old fashion quality is her materialistic and predatory nature. "I am just an old-fashioned girl with an old-fashioned mind. Not sophisticated, I’m a sweet and simply girl. I want an old-fashioned house, with an old-fashioned fence and an old-fashioned millionaire."

Ms. Kitt seductively sings ‘Love For Sale’ written by the great Cole Porter. She draws out the lyrics, and Ms. Kitt’s biting tone plays up to the song’s cynicism. "Appetizing young love for sale. Love that’s still fresh and unspoked. Love that is only slightly soiled. Love for sale, who will buy? Who would like to sample my supply. Who is prepared to pay the price for A trip to paradise. Love for Sale."

Ms. Kitt sings ‘Uska Dara’ in Turkish, which is a playful love song.
"They take a trip from Uska Dara in the rain. And on the way they fall in love. He’s wearing a stiff collar in a full dress suit. She looks at him lovingly through Her veal. And casually feeds him candy. Oh, those turks.

‘I want To Be Evil’ is about a young woman who wants to shed her good girl image. However, the evil behavior she longs to do is really quite tame. The song has a fast upbeat tempo that is catchy and fun.

"I wanna be evil, I wanna spit tacks. I wanna be evil and cheat at jacks. I wanna be wicked, I wanna tell lies. I wanna be mean and throw mud pies. I wanna wake in the morning with the dark brown taste. I want to see some Dissipation in my face. I wanna be evil, I wanna be mad. But more than that I wanna be bad.

Ms. Kitt sings, ‘Cest Si Bon’ means, It’s so Good, in French. Here are the words in English, although ‘Cest Si Bon’ sounds more seductive in French. "Cest Si Bon. Lover say that in France When they thrill to romance. It means that it is so good. Cest Si Bon. Si, I say it to you, like the French people do. Because It’s oh, so good. Every word, every sigh. Every kiss, dear?"

In 1953, Eartha Kitt recorded ‘Santa Baby’, probably the song she is best known for. The woman in the song is trying to seduce Santa into bringing her certain gifts. A wise choice since Ms. Kitt sings ’Santa Baby,’ sounding more naughty than nice. "Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree for me. Been an awful good girl, Santa Baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight. Santa Baby, a 54 convertible Too light blue, I’ll wait for you dear, Santa Baby, hurry down the chimney tonight."

Eartha Kitt continued to record songs all through the 1950’s, and 60’s.