Thursday, September 20, 2007

Eartha Kitt

I keep seeing mentions of Eartha Kitt lately, in the NY Times Arts section and various other places. She is 80 years old and still going strong, with a series of performances at the Cafe Carlyle here in New York this fall. You may remember her more for her role as Catwoman in the old Batman TV show, but I always associate her with her wacky foray into disco with a song called Where Is My Man, which I remember hearing on the radio when I was a kid:

Where Is My Man?

I don’t wanna be alone where is my man?
I don’t wanna be alone where is my man?
I spend hours by the phone where is my baby?
I chew my fingers to the bone where is my man?

My list of needs is really quite brief, I need a man who can bring my relief,
From all the stress and strains of the day with just a tiny stroll thru Cartier
I need a man who can take me then taunt me and make me
Buy the things I so richly deserve, a man who knows what I require
Is the thing that I desire, is there anyone out there who has the nerve?

Where is my baby? He can’t be far, look for an ascot, a big cigar, tell him to find me, just send his car to this address I have to stress, I need him now
Where is my baby when will he start? To use his Visa right to my heart
I’ll give him Carte Blanche baby be smart, baby, drop your amount in my account
But do it now.

The kind of man that I adore is the kind of man that gives me more of all the better things in life that aren't free.
Such as summer by the sea, The Hamptons, Malibu, Capri
The kind of man who comes alive when he comes near Rodeo Drive
Is the kind of man who wins my heart with style and class
You know I've tried some other men, the kind with zeros less than ten.
But every time I grab the ring it's always brass

Now there's another musical classic for a personal finance playlist! I wasn't familiar enough with Eartha Kitt's entire repertoire to have realized it, but apparently songs about money are her stock in trade! From the NY Times review:

During a show that found her prowling the stage in a dark red velvet dress, she was unable to contain her amusement at her gold-digger routine. Or as she said, widening her cat’s eyes into a ravenous stare and scouring a room filled with well-heeled patrons before breaking into a grin, “Je cherche un billionaire.”

I'm not a big fan of cabaret shows-- it's not usually my kind of music, and it's expensive! At the Carlyle, general seating is $95 per person on a Friday or Saturday night, and you have to buy dinner on top of that. But having the chance to hear Eartha Kitt growl "I want a man with a big, big, big... yacht" might be worth it!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ms. Kitt is fabulous! I was happy to see her guest star in an episode of Living Single.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else remember Eartha Kitt singing Santa Baby? Or Daddy? Both are about desiring creature comforts from a male.

Anonymous said...

please go see Eartha. she is not going to be around forever.

i have seen her 3 times in the last 8 years.

worth every penny. sure it is a lot for 1 night of fun, but she is a rare treat and 95 plus 40 in drinks or so and a snack equals priceless.

it is like traveling to a New York that does not exist anymore. go with a friend.

Anonymous said...

ps dinner is required for lots of $ except for the late night shows on fri and sat nights

so go to fri or sat night late show and save a few $ but still see one of the Great Performers