Lady Be Good
Earl Bostic Lyrics


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Listen to my tale of woe,
It's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.

I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
With somebody just like you. So

Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So lady, be good to me
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all-alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.

Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,




So lady be good to me.
Oh lady be good to me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Earl Bostic's Lady Be Good tells the story of a sad, lonely person who is looking for love and someone to lift them out of their mundane life. The singer is all dressed up but has nowhere to go and is constantly feeling blue. They long for a handsome person to come into their life and help them turn their life around. The plea for love and attention is amplified by the repeated refrain "lady be good to me". The singer is hoping that someone kind-hearted and empathetic comes into their life and brings them the love and care that they so desperately need.


The mood of the song is both melancholic and hopeful, capturing the feeling of longing for something better. It speaks to the universal human desire for love, connection, and companionship. The song was written by George and Ira Gershwin, and originally performed on Broadway in 1924. Through Earl Bostic’s jazzy interpretation, this song has become a much-loved classic.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen to my tale of woe,
Please hear my story of sadness and despair.


It's terribly sad but true,
Unfortunately, it is a heartbreaking reality.


All dressed up, no place to go
Despite being stylishly dressed, I have nowhere to be.


Each evening I'm awfully blue.
Every night, I am deeply melancholic.


I must win some handsome guy
I need to find a charming gentleman.


Can't go on like this,
I cannot continue to feel this way.


I could blossom out I know,
I believe I could flourish.


With somebody just like you. So
That can happen if I had somebody as wonderful as you.


Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Dear lady, please be kind and compassionate.


Oh, lady, be good to me
Kindly treat me with affection.


I am so awfully misunderstood
People do not seem to understand me.


So lady, be good to me
That's why I need your kindness.


Oh, please have some pity
I plead with you to empathize with my situation.


I'm all-alone in this big city
I am lonely and isolated in this urban area.


I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
I confess, I am a helpless and vulnerable girl.


So lady be good to me.
I implore you to be good to me.


Oh lady be good to me.
Once again, I request your kindness.




Writer(s): Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin

Contributed by Grayson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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