McShann was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and began working as a professional musician in 1931, performing around Tulsa, Oklahoma and neighboring Arkansas. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1936, and set up his own big band, which featured Charlie Parker (from 1937 to 1942), Bernard Anderson, Ben Webster and Walter Brown. Although its book included both swing and blues numbers, the band played blues on most of its records; its most popular recording was "Confessin' the Blues." The group disbanded when McShann was drafted into the Army in 1944, and he was unable to successfully restart it when he got out.
After the war McShann began to lead small groups featuring blues shouter Jimmy Witherspoon. Witherspoon started recording with McShann in 1945, and fronting McShann's band, had a hit in 1949 with "Ain't Nobody's Business." McShann then played in obscurity until 1969, when he became popular as a singer as well as a pianist, often performing with Claude Williams. He continued recording and touring through the 1990s. Well into his 80s McShann still performed occasionally, particularly in the Kansas City area and Toronto Ontario.
Crime-fiction writer Elmore Leonard featured McShann as a character in his 2005 novel, The Hot Kid.
On December 7, 2006, McShann died at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City.
Ain't Nobody's Business
Jay McShann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That folks don't criticize 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 last 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!
The lyrics of "Ain't Nobody's Business" by Jay McShann (with Duke Robillard and Maria Muldaur) convey a strong message of personal agency and freedom in spite of societal scrutiny and criticism. The singer acknowledges that regardless of what they do or say, people will always find something to criticize them for. However, the singer resolves to live their life on their own terms and not be swayed by the opinions of others. The refrain, "T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do!" emphasizes this sentiment.
The verses give examples of various scenarios where the singer exercises their freedom, such as jumping into the ocean on a whim or attending church one day and dancing the next. The singer also asserts their moral choice to give their friend money and not report abuse they suffered out of a desire to maintain their independence. Even in situations where the singer is in difficult circumstances as a result of their choices, such as giving away their last bit of money, they stand by their choices and assert their right to make decisions for themselves.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ain't Nobody's Business" convey a strong message of individualism and the value of personal autonomy. The singer chooses to live their life according to their own desires and values, despite potential criticism or consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't nothin' I can do, or nothin' I can say
No matter what I do, people will always find something to criticize and judge me for.
But I'm going to do just as I want to anyway,
Despite what others might think or say, I will do what I want to do.
And don't care if you all despise me!
I am indifferent to the disapproval and dislike of others.
If I should take a notion
If I feel an impulse or desire to do something...
To jump into the ocean,
...such as jumping into the ocean...
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do!
...it is no one else's concern but mine.
If I go to church on Sunday,
Whether I attend church on Sundays...
Then just shimmy down on Monday,
...or dance and let loose the very next day...
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
...it is my choice and mine alone and does not involve anyone else.
If my friend ain't got no money,
If my friend is financially struggling...
And I say, 'Take all mine, honey',
...and I offer to give them all the money I have...
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do do!
...it is not anyone else's business but ours and how we choose to handle the situation.
If I give him my lasy nickel,
Even if I give my last bit of money...
And it leaves me in a pickle,
...and it puts me in a difficult situation...
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
...it is still nobody else's business but mine and I will deal with it as I choose.
There, I'd rather my man was hittin' me,
I would prefer if my partner hit me...
Than to jump right up and quittin' me,
...than if they left me without warning...
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do do!
...because it is a personal choice and no one else's concern.
I swear I won't call no copper
I will not involve any authorities...
If I'm beat up by my papa,
...even if my father physically hurts me...
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
...because it is not anyone else's business but mine and I will handle it in my own way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EVERETT ROBBINS, PORTER GRAINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind