Diana Krall was born into a musical family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Ca… Read Full Bio ↴Diana Krall was born into a musical family in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (on November 16, 1964). She began learning the piano at the age of four. In high school, she started playing in a small jazz group. At the age of fifteen, she started playing regularly in several Nanaimo restaurants. She also spent some time in Toronto studying with Canadian Jazz great, Don Thompson (Bass/Piano) and with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts she moved to the U.S to continue studies and develop her career.

Her playing attracted the attention of bass player Ray Brown, who brought her into touch with influential teachers and producers. At the age of seventeen, she won a scholarship from the Vancouver Jazz Festival to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After three terms she moved to Los Angeles to study with Jimmy Rowles, with whom she also began to sing. In 1990, Krall relocated to New York. She is married to British musician Elvis Costello.

Straighten Up and Fly Right
Diana Krall Lyrics

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The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air
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"

The buzzard told the monkey, "You're choking me
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

Overall Meaning

The song Straighten Up and Fly Right is a classic jazz and swing tune originally recorded by Nat King Cole in 1943. Diana Krall's interpretation of the song keeps the playful and upbeat spirit of the original while infusing it with her own distinctive style.

The lyrics tell a story of a buzzard that takes a monkey for a ride with the intention of throwing him off his back. The monkey, realizing what is happening, grabs the buzzard's neck and tells him to "straighten up and fly right," reminding him to stay on the right path and not get sidetracked by mischief. The buzzard tries to convince the monkey to let go, but the monkey doesn't believe his story and insists that he stick to the straight and narrow. The chorus repeats the phrase "straighten up and fly right" as a reminder to stay focused and avoid unnecessary risks.

The song can be interpreted as a metaphor for staying true to oneself and resisting temptation. The monkey represents the voice of reason and wisdom, while the buzzard represents the lure of temptation and mischief. The message to "straighten up and fly right" is a call to resist the easy way out and stay committed to one's goals.

Line by Line Meaning

The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air
The buzzard took the monkey for a flight in the air

The monkey thought that ev'rything was on the square
The monkey thought everything was fair and just

The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The buzzard attempted to throw the monkey off his back

The monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now, listen, Jack"
The monkey grabbed the buzzard's neck and spoke out

Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and fly right
The monkey advised the buzzard to improve himself and fly properly

Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
The monkey reminded the buzzard to avoid getting angry while improving his flying

Ain't no use in divin'. What's the use of jivin'?
The monkey questioned the buzzard's actions and suggested there was no point in diving or messing around

The buzzard told the monkey, "You're choking me"
The buzzard informed the monkey that he was choking him

Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The buzzard offered to free the monkey if he let go

The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said "Your story's touching, but it sounds like a lie"
The monkey thought the buzzard's story was emotional but not truthful

Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and stay right
The monkey reiterated his advice for the buzzard to fly better and stay on course

Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
The monkey reminded the buzzard to remain calm and focused while improving his flying

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Mills, Nat King Cole

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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