Why Don't You Do Right
Charles Fleischer Lyrics
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You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right like some other men do?
Get out of here, get me some money too
You're sittin' down wonderin' what it's all about
You ain't got no money that will put you out
Why don't you do right like some other men do?
If you had prepared twenty years ago
You wouldn't be wanderin' now from door to door
Why don't you do right like some other men do?
Get out of here, get me some money too
Why don't you do right like some other men do?
The lyrics of Charles Fleischer's "Why Don't You Do Right?" tell the story of a woman who has grown tired of her partner's lack of financial stability. She recalls to him a time when he had "plenty money" but was made a "fool" by other women. Now that he is broke and without any means to provide for himself, she urges him to start doing right and get some money. She tells him that he should follow the example of other men who are able to make it, instead of sitting around wondering about his situation. She reminds him that if he had prepared himself earlier in life, he would not be in the financial crisis he is facing now.
The song's lyrics are a commentary on the social and gender roles prevalent during the time it was written, which was during the 1930s. It highlights the idea that a woman's worth and happiness can be tied to the financial stability of her partner. The song is also notable for its use in the 1988 film, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" where it was performed by Jessica Rabbit, voiced by Kathleen Turner.
Line by Line Meaning
You had plenty money in nineteen twenty-two
You were financially stable and living the good life back in nineteen twenty-two
You let other women make a fool of you
You allowed other women to take advantage of you and played with your emotions
Why don't you do right like some other men do?
Why can't you get your act together and behave like any other sensible man for once?
Get out of here, get me some money too
Leave and bring back some money for me as well
You're sittin' down wonderin' what it's all about
You're perplexed and pondering what's happening around you
You ain't got no money that will put you out
You have no money to spare that can resolve your financial issue
If you had prepared twenty years ago
If you had made arrangements twenty years ago
You wouldn't be wanderin' now from door to door
You wouldn't be roaming from one place to another looking for a way to make ends meet
Why don't you do right like some other men do?
Why don't you act sensibly and be like the other men who are doing the right thing?
Get out of here, get me some money too
Leave and bring back some money for me as well
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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