Step Right Up
Clark Terry and Bobby Brookmeyer Lyrics
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The monkey thought that ev'rything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now, listen, Jack
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin'. What's the use of jivin'?
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top"
Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
"Your story's touching, but is sounds like a lie"
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
The lyrics to "Step Right Up" by Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer follow a story of a buzzard taking a monkey on a ride in the air. At first, the monkey thinks everything is fine until the buzzard tries to throw him off. The monkey, using his quick thinking, grabs onto the buzzard's neck and tells him to straighten up and fly right while warning him not to blow his top. They continue flying until the buzzard tells the monkey to release his hold, but the monkey calls out the buzzard's story, saying that it sounds like a lie. The song ends with the monkey telling the buzzard to straighten up and stay right, before reiterating the chorus to straighten up and fly right.
The lyrics contain a message about staying calm and composed even in difficult situations, warning against getting carried away and diving into danger. With the buzzard being symbolic of the dangerous, reckless path, the monkey serves as a reminder to stay level-headed and avoid trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air
The bird took the primate up in the sky
The monkey thought that ev'rything was on the square
The chimp believed that everything was fair
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The bird attempted to make the mammal fall off its back
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now, listen, Jack
The monkey seized the bird's neck and spoke to him
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin'. What's the use of jivin'?
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top"
Get your act together, stay on track, and don't get too excited
The buzzard told the monkey, "You're choking me
Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The bird said, 'You're suffocating me, let me go and you'll be released'
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
"Your story's touching, but is sounds like a lie"
The chimp stared into the bird's eyes and said, 'Your tale is moving, but it feels untrue'
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
Keep it together and stay focused, don't let your emotions get the best of you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Mills, Nat King Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind