Ain't Nobody's Business 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 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
But 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

The song "Ain't Nobody's Business" by Billie Holiday is about personal autonomy and the rejection of societal judgment. The lyrics acknowledge that no matter what one does or says, there will always be people who criticize and judge them. The singer defiantly states that despite this scrutiny, she will do as she pleases anyway and doesn't care about others' opinions. The chorus repeats the central idea that whatever choices she makes, ultimately, it's nobody's business but hers.


The song is written in a conversational style, which is a hallmark of blues music. The lyrics express a deep emotion that comes from personal experience but is relatable to others. The verses feature different scenarios that demonstrate the singer's independence, such as going to church on Sunday and to the cabaret on Monday or giving away her last penny to her man. Interestingly, in the last verse, she mentions the possibility of domestic violence, saying that she won't call the police if her father beats her up, further emphasizing the theme of autonomy and the right to make one's own choices.


Line by Line Meaning

There ain't nothing I can do
I'm unable to change how others view me


Or nothing I can say
Regardless of how I approach it or try to communicate, people will still be critical of me


That folks don't criticize me
It's inevitable that people will criticize me, no matter what I do


But I'm going to do
Despite the criticism, I'm going to live my life the way that I want to


Just as I want to anyway
Choosing to live life on my own terms, regardless of other's opinions


And don't care just what people say
I'm not concerned with other people's opinions, as it's not their business how I choose to live my life


If I should take a notion
If I have the sudden urge or idea


To jump into the ocean
To do something potentially dangerous or impulsive


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's no one else's concern if I take risks or behave erratically


If I go to church on Sunday
If I choose to seek spiritual guidance on a particular day


Then cabaret all day Monday
And decide to enjoy myself frivolously on another day


Ain't nobody's business if I do
It's not for anyone else to judge or scrutinize how I choose to spend my time


If my man ain't got no money
If my partner is experiencing financial difficulties


And I say "take all mine, honey"
And I offer up my own resources to support them


Ain't nobody's business if I do
Others shouldn't be concerned with my decisions in regards to my relationship


If I give him my last nickel
If I give all that I have without regard for my own needs


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


Ain't nobody's business if I do
Others shouldn't worry over my financial or relationship decisions


But I'd rather my man would hit me
I'd rather endure physical harm from my partner


Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Than dealing with the emotional turmoil of a relationship ending


Ain't nobody's business if I do
The intricacies and complexities of my relationships should not concern others


I swear I won't call no copper
I promise not to involve law enforcement


If I'm beat up by my papa
If I'm a victim of domestic violence at the hands of my father


Ain't nobody's business if I do
The abuse and violence I experience should not be the concern of others


Nobody's business
My life is private, and no one else's concern


Ain't nobody's business
Others are not involved in my decisions or experiences


Nobody's business if I do
My autonomy and freedom to choose how I live is not for others to judge or question




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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