Born Andres Rabaj… Read Full Bio ↴Andy Russell (September 16, 1919 - April 16, 1992)
Born Andres Rabajos in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant parents, Andy Russell (who took his professional name from one of his idols, Russ Columbo,) acheived his greatest U.S. popularity in the 1940s. As with Columbo and Bing Crosby before him, he started out singing with Gus Arnheim's orchestra at the Cocoanut Grove, but, at only 13, he was so young that Arnheim had to become his legal guardian to permit him to travel out of state.
Possessed of a romantic baritone voice, he sang songs in English and Spanish, his biggest hits being Amor and Besame Mucho (Capitol: 1945). In 1946, he was asked to take the place of Frank Sinatra on the pop music radio program "Your Hit Parade" ( for which Sinatra returned in 1947) which led to increased popularity for the singer. In the early 1950's, Russell appeared on early television with "Your Show Of Shows" with Sid Caesar for NBC, but recorded less frequently. By the early 50's, however, his hits had stopped and Capitol Records began to lose interest in him. Realizing that he commanded more popularity in Mexico than the U.S. he began performing there more frequently.
In the late 1950s, he re-located to Mexico City, and then to Argentina where he had a successful variety show that ran for seven years. He remained a U.S. citizen, however, and still made appearences in the U.S. from time to time. Capitol's Latin American affiliated labels released new material by Andy in the 1960s, after his stint with RCA Victor. He also recorded for Orfeon.
Andy returned to the United States in the late 60s and released two more albums for the parent Capitol label, one of which featured a Billboard Easy Listening Chart hit in 1968. It was a "cover" of label-mate Wynn Stewart's Country hit, It's Such a Pretty World Today, and served as the title song for the LP. Andy also appeared on public television fundraising specials well into the 1980s.
Andy was especially proud of receiving an award from "Nosotros" magazine, acknowledging his special achievements as the first bilingual singer to reach the top of the charts with an Anglo audience and to popularize Latin American songs. He surely paved the way for many other Latino singers, including Vikki Carr and even Ricky Martin!
Andy passed away in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 72.
Why Don't You Do Right
Andy Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right
Like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
You're sitting down wondering what it's all about
Why don't you do right
Like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
If you had prepared twenty years ago
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door
Why don't you do right
Like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
I fell for you jiving and I took you in
Now all you've got to offer me is a drink of gin
Why don't you do right
Like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
Why don't you do right
Like some other men do?
Like some other men do?
The lyrics of Andy Russell's "Why Don't You Do Right?" tells a story of a woman who confronts her lover and blames him for his poor financial situation. The song begins with her criticizing him for having plenty of money in 1922 and letting other women take advantage of him. She then urges him to "do right" and get her some money too. The woman is angry and frustrated, as she has been taken in by his deceptive behavior. She reminds him that if he had prepared and saved up twenty years ago, he wouldn't be in this situation now. She is tired of being with someone who can offer her nothing but a drink of gin.
The song is a commentary on the financial struggles of the time, the Great Depression, which saw many people struggling to make ends meet. The lyrics are a portrayal of the stark reality of women who were dependent on men for their survival. The woman in the song is taking charge of the situation and demanding that her man gets his act together and provides for her.
Line by Line Meaning
You had a plenty money 1922
You were financially stable in the past.
You let other women make a fool of you
You allowed other women to take advantage of you.
Why don't you do right
Why don't you act responsibly?
Like some other men do?
Like other men who act responsibly?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
Leave and bring back money for me as well.
You're sitting down wondering what it's all about
You're confused about your current situation.
You ain't got no money they will put you out
You'll be kicked out if you can't pay.
If you had prepared twenty years ago
If you had planned ahead in the past.
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door
You wouldn't be searching for money now.
I fell for you jiving and I took you in
I was deceived by your lies and took you in.
Now all you've got to offer me is a drink of gin
Now all you can provide me with is a drink of low value.
Why don't you do right
Why don't you start behaving better?
Like some other men do?
Like other men who behave better?
Like some other men do?
Like other men who behave better?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe McCoy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Sientz
What a gorgeous ballad, co-written by Glenn Osser's wife, Edna. Andy deserves to be remembered for his talent and for being a trailblazer for other Latinx artists. He was truly the first to become a mainstream vocalist and he was fabulous.
Eustace
Did you just say Latinx!? Oh no... just say Latino.
PAUL VIARDOT
Brillante version Mr Russell !
Swingman 56
I'm a big fan of Andy,and this pretty tune. Great side.
PAUL VIARDOT
Bonne version par Andy Russell !