Why Don't You Do Right
Beth Hart / Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
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You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right (do right), like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
You're sitting down and wondering what it's all about
You ain't got no money, they will put you out
Why don't you do right (do right), like some other men do?
If you had prepared twenty years ago
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door
Why don't you do right (do right), like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
I fell for your jivin' and I took you in
Now all you gots to offer me's a drink of gin
Why don't you do right (do right), like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
Why don't you do right (do right), like some other men do?
Like some other men do (do right)
Like some other men do
Ooh
Why don't you do right (do right)
Why, why, why don't you do right (do right)
Like some other men do? (do right)
Like some other men do?
The song "Why Don't You Do Right" by Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa is a cover of Peggy Lee's original 1941 hit. The lyrics are about a woman who is expressing her frustration and disappointment with her man's lack of responsibility and financial stability. She sings about how he had plenty of money in 1922 but allowed other women to take advantage of him. She then urges him to do the right thing and get himself together by making money like other men do so that he can provide for her.
The woman in the song is tired of her man taking advantage of her and not being able to take care of her. She accuses him of being a wanderer and not being able to settle down anywhere because of his financial instability. She seems to blame him for his current struggles and tells him that if he had prepared twenty years ago, he wouldn't be in his current situation.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the importance of financial responsibility and the consequences of not being able to take care of yourself and the people around you. The woman in the song is fed up with her man's lack of responsibility and is urging him to do better before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
You had plenty money, 1922
In the year 1922, you were wealthy and had ample money.
You let other women make a fool of you
You allowed other women to take advantage of you and make a mockery of you.
Why don't you do right (do right), like some other men do?
Why can't you act right and be responsible like other men?
Get out of here and get me some money too
Leave and earn some money for me as well.
You're sitting down and wondering what it's all about
You're sitting and pondering about the meaning of life.
You ain't got no money, they will put you out
If you don't have money, you'll be thrown out of your current situation.
If you had prepared twenty years ago
If you had made arrangements twenty years ago,
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door
You wouldn't be wandering aimlessly from place to place presently.
I fell for your jivin' and I took you in
I was smitten by your charm and accepted you into my life.
Now all you gots to offer me's a drink of gin
Now all you can give me is a drink of gin.
Why don't you do right (do right), like some other men do?
Why can't you act right and be responsible like other men?
Like some other men do (do right)
Like how other men are responsible.
Ooh
An exclamation of passion, surprise, or excitement.
Why don't you do right (do right)
Why can't you act right and be responsible?
Why, why, why don't you do right (do right)
Why is it that you are unable to act right and be responsible?
Like some other men do? (do right)
Why can't you be responsible like other men?
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe McCoy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind