'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
Billie Holiday Lyrics


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There ain't nothing I can do
Or nothing I can say
That folks don't criticize me

But I'm going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don't care just what people say
If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain't nobody's business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
Ain't nobody's business if I do

If my man ain't got no money
And I say "Take all of mine, honey"
Ain't nobody's business if I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
Ain't nobody's business if I do

Well, I'd rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Ain't nobody's business if I do

I swear, I won't call no copper
If I'm beat up by my papa
Ain't nobody's business if I do

Nobody's business




Ain't nobody's business
Nobody's business if I do

Overall Meaning

In Billie Holiday's famous song 'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do, the singer expresses her defiance against societal expectations and judgments. The lyrics emphasize the importance of living life on one's own terms, without worrying about the opinions of others. Holiday specifically references actions that would typically attract criticism or disapproval, such as jumping into the ocean, going to church on Sunday followed by a cabaret the next day, giving all her money to a man who has none, or choosing to stay with a man who may be abusive. Holiday acknowledges that her decisions may lead her into trouble or difficult situations, but ultimately asserts that it's nobody's business but her own.


Through her lyrics, Holiday provides an anthem for those who feel oppressed or judged by society's expectations. She encourages individuals to stand up for themselves, regardless of the criticism or negative reactions they may receive. Overall, the song highlights themes of self-determination, independence, and the inherent value of personal autonomy.


Line by Line Meaning

There ain't nothing I can do
There is nothing I can do


Or nothing I can say
Or nothing I can say


That folks don't criticize me
That people won't criticize me


But I'm going to do
But I will do


Just as I want to anyway
Just as I please anyway


And don't care just what people say
And I don't care what people say


If I should take a notion
If I feel like


To jump into the ocean
Jump into the ocean


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's no one's business if I do it


If I go to church on Sunday
If I attend church on Sunday


Then cabaret all day Monday
Then go to the cabaret all day Monday


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's no one's business if I do it


If my man ain't got no money
If my man is broke


And I say "Take all of mine, honey"
And I tell him to take my money


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's no one's business if I do it


If I give him my last nickel
If I give him my last nickel


And it leaves me in a pickle
And it puts me in a difficult situation


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's no one's business if I do it


Well, I'd rather my man would hit me
I prefer my man to hit me


Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Rather than leaving him


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's no one's business if I do it


I swear, I won't call no copper
I promise I won't call the police


If I'm beat up by my papa
If my dad beats me


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's no one's business if I do it


Nobody's business
It's nobody's business


Ain't nobody's business
It's no one's business


Nobody's business if I do
It's nobody's business if I do it




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EVERETT ROBBINS, PORTER GRAINGER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@mao7615

There ain't nothing I can do
Or nothing I can say
That folks don't criticize me
But I'm going to do just as I want to anyway
And don't care just what people say

If I should take the notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain't nobody's business if I do

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
Ain't nobody's business if I do

If my man ain't got no money
And I say, "Take all of mine, honey"
Ain't nobody's business if I do

If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
Ain't nobody's business if I do

Well, I'd rather my man would hit me
Than for him to jump up and quit me
Ain't nobody's business if I do

I swear I won't call no copper
If I'm beat up by my papa
Ain't nobody's business if I do

Nobody's business
Ain't nobody's business
Nobody's business if I do



@josephcarter5101

Fantastic as the lady always was...

One line got me...

"I would rather my man hit me, than up and quit me"....?

Am no member of the political correctness police but in the words of the legend,

Fats Waller, (with Ada Brown),

THAT AIN'T RIGHT!!!

Always wonderful to hear such classic music.

Thank you!



@spillteatv9417

There ain't nothin' I can do, or nothin' I can say
That folks don't criticise me,
But I'm going to do just as I want to anyway,
And don't care if you all despise me!
If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean,
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do!
If I go to church on Sunday,
Then just shimmy down on Monday,
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
If my friend ain't got no money,
And I say, "Take all mine, honey",
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do do!
If I give him my lasy nickel,
And it leaves me in a pickle,
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
There, I'd rather my man was hittin' me,
Than to jump right up and quittin' me,
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do do!
I swear I won't call no copper
If I'm beat up by my papa,
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!



All comments from YouTube:

@stefanellasizzarettia8417

My best childhood memories are of this song. My grandmother would teach me to cook in the kitchen with every Billie holiday song playing in the background. I always replayed this one most.

@taralees995

Such a beautiful groove w strength then in true Billie style actual truth...abuse, confusion. Always one to make a statement. BA

@daniellebain4294

Not her original tune.

@richpaul8132

Each time "Lady Sings the Blues" airs on TV, I watch it,
and if I have something to get to, I drop it,
and ain't nobody's business if I do!

The woman's talent was rated high and yet I still feel like it wasn't rated high enough. "God Bless the Child" was one of my favorite and she had a very unique sense of timing & rhythm. Her addiction was a tragedy but she died of liver disease 3 years after Carnegie Hall.

I went through that myself for over 20 years and my liver didn't take any punches. I must surmise that Billie's liver disease was alcohol related. There was a lot of 'bad booze' in the clubs back then and the Feds didn't have it regulated as closely, (if they regulated it at all), as they do today.

@vekktro8619

Got my ears destroyed from leaving it on 100% volume at the beginning their lol.

@shanikaish

Me too!!😅

@thatsworrisomeyoubetterrun2541

Personally that initial volume thang hurt all the way to my toes!

@erikaurbankova4539

Same 😂😂😂😂😂

@ichdieLivi

same hahaha

@RoboLobster3000

There...

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