Dark Lady
by Cher

Album: Dark Lady (1974)
Charted: 36 1
Play Video
  • The fortune queen of New Orleans
    Was brushing her cat in her black limousine
    On the backseat were scratches from
    The marks of men her fortune she had won
    Couldn't see through the tinted glass
    She said, "Home James" and he hit the gas
    I followed her to some darkened room
    She took my money, she said "I'll be with you soon"

    Dark lady laughed and danced and lit the candles one by one
    Danced to her gypsy music till her brew was done
    Dark lady played back magic till the clock struck on the twelve
    She told me more about me than I knew myself

    She dealt two cards, a queen and a three
    And mumbled some words that were so strange to me
    Then she turned up a two-eyed jack
    My eyes saw red but the card still stayed black
    She said the man you love is secretly true
    To someone else who is very close to you
    My advice is that you leave this place
    Never come back and forget you ever saw my face

    Dark lady laughed and danced and lit the candles one by one
    Danced to her gypsy music till her brew was done
    Dark lady played back magic till the clock struck on the twelve
    She told me more about me than I knew myself

    So I ran home and crawled in my bed
    I couldn't sleep because of all the things she said
    Then I remembered her strange perfume
    And how I smelled it was in my own room
    So I sneaked back and caught her with my man
    Laughing and kissing till they saw the gun in my hand
    The next thing I knew they were dead on the floor
    Dark lady would never turn a card up anymore

    Dark lady laughed and danced and lit the candles one by one
    Danced to her gypsy music till her brew was done
    Dark lady played back magic till the clock struck on the twelve Writer/s: JOHN ROBERT DURRILL
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Tim from Florida"She dealt two cards, a queen and a three
    And mumbled some words that were so strange to me
    Then she turned up a two-eyed jack"
    According to https://bit.ly/3AOhFjT, the cards have the following meaning:
    The queen of spades represents a manipulative woman.
    The three of spades represents tears from bad news.
    The jack of clubs represents someone who may be your friend.
    So the cards dealt in the song can be roughly translated accurately to the situation.
  • Jennifur SunI wonder considering who produced it if that is members of the Wrecking Crew playing on this song ? Cara Yes she kills both of them and Greg try google or maybe a local music store
  • Jennifur SunI wonder considering who produced it if that is members of the Wrecking Crew playing on this song
  • Ricky from Ohsweken, Ontario CanadaKristin - Bessemer, Al; according to a 70s CD I have Sonny turned it down for (& I quote from the CD liner notes) "fearing it would offend people down south only to release songs like Half Breed & Dark Lady which would go on to offend other people everywhere."
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxGo on YouTube and query for the animated video that was created for this song's use on the Sonny and Cher Show. It makes the song more fun to hear.
  • Paul from Detroit, MiHmmm .... Gypsies, Tramps and Theives, Half Breed and then Dark Lady. She loved singing about odd women in the 70's. All reached #1.
  • Breanna from Henderson, NvThis is a great song, I love that she kills them in the end, great ending isn't it.
  • Kristin from Bessemer, AlI find it very suprising that she would record this song, but Sonny Bono (at the time), was very reluctant for her to record "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia"
  • Greg from New York, NyI have been looking every for a Chord Progression Chart for Dark Lady. Does anyone know where I can get one?

    Thanks
  • Cara from Santa Barbara, CaShe does kill her boyfriend and "the dark lady"
    in the song.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI rhought the protagonist killed both her boyfriend and the fortune teller in the song.
  • Jeffri from San Diego, CaHi John, Long time. I just heard Dark Lady and remembered when we were living on Cherokee in Hollywood next to Mary when you wrote it.

    What are you up to?

    Love,
    Jeffri
see more comments

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