Ain't Nobody's Business
Jimmy Witherspoon Lyrics
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That folks don't criticise 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 lasy 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 song "Ain't Nobody's Business" by Jimmy Witherspoon is a classic blues song that celebrates personal freedom and individual autonomy despite societal criticism or judgment. The lyrics are a defiant and unapologetic response to those who try to control or dictate someone else's life. The singer of the song is essentially saying, "I'll do what I want, and I don't care if you don't like it."
The first verse sets the tone of the song, with the singer acknowledging that no matter what they do or say, someone will always criticize them. However, they assert that they will do what they want anyway. The following verses give specific examples of situations in which the singer asserts their independence. They sing about jumping into the ocean, attending church on Sunday and "shimmying down" on Monday, and giving their money to a friend in need. They also state that they would rather have their lover hit them than leave them, and that they won't call the police if their father beats them.
The overall message of the song is that each person has the right to live their life as they see fit, and that no one else has the right to judge or control them. It is a powerful expression of personal freedom and autonomy, and a testament to the enduring power of the blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't nothin' I can do, or nothin' I can say
I cannot control what people say about me, no matter what I do or say
That folks don't criticise me,
It is common for people to criticize me
But I'm going to do just as I want to anyway,
Despite people's opinions, I will do what I want
And don't care if you all despise me!
I am not concerned if people hate me because of my actions
If I should take a notion
If I suddenly feel like doing something
To jump into the ocean,
To just go for a swim in the ocean
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do!
No one has the right to judge me for my actions
If I go to church on Sunday,
If I attend church on a Sunday
Then just shimmy down on Monday,
If I dance or have fun the day after
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
No one has any right to question the choices I make
If my friend ain't got no money,
If my friend is broke
And I say, "Take all mine, honey",
And I offer them my own money
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do do!
It is my decision to help my friend, no one else's
If I give him my lasy nickel,
If I give away my last bit of money
And it leaves me in a pickle,
And I end up in a difficult situation
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
No one else has any right to judge my actions
There, I'd rather my man was hittin' me,
I would prefer if my partner were physically abusive towards me
Than to jump right up and quittin' me,
Rather than leaving me outright
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, do, do do!
My personal choices are no one else's concern
I swear I won't call no copper
I will not call the police
If I'm beat up by my papa,
If my father physically harms me
'T'aint nobody's business if I do, if I do!
My decisions are mine alone, and no one can criticize me for them
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EVERETT ROBBINS, PORTER GRAINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joncithisen6507
Isn't, the blues genre, in a holistic harmonic noteful musical way alongside lyrics that touch one like poetry, cool?
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Certainly, had it been the case someone is in the frame of mind to actually hear this type of music appreciation to say, calm down in truth which has always been. Of course, goodness has always been. Aesthetics as opposed to harmfulness has always been when healthy well-formed beneficial beautiful.
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Humanity as from Above creation arriving as Children as we each have, has so many expressions. These would include harmonic alliteration syllabic pronunciation in art & science poetic literature for many Godly Impartially Just purposes. The meaning in semantics should never be a harmful influence for children, youth, impressionable, or anyone else, what so ever, to adhere to goodness, for example. This is just simply true. Beautiful music is as old as time immemorial.
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So, the more than only human, from Above God's Creation Peace is offered and hopefully received by each of us.
I personally, of course, do not have the power already described, BTW, to actually go beyond testimony.
Have a wonderful morning, noon, or night as the case may be.
@cadilacslim
Jimmy Witherspoon was the guy who turned me on to the Blues, back in 1972 he had a Sunday night Blues radio show on KMET in Los Angeles.
I was 17 and thought, this music has so much feeling and soul.
Next day I bought a harmonica and have been playing and listening to the Blues ever since that night.
@mikeholmes5824
+cadilacslim I remember that show well. JImmy played a lot of old treasures. KMET really had it going on back then.
@jazz_addict7079
Yeah-- on Sunday nights, after Dr. Demento ! I was in HS in the mid 70's, and just getting into the Blues. KMET was a great station, back then.
@markbridwell8972
What a terrific response _ _ God bless you _ _ and your harmonics
@markbridwell8972
Oh Yes , LA's "Mighty MET"
@thebrazilianatlantis165
This topped the R&B charts in 1949 and was on the black-owned label Supreme. Other black-owned labels of the '40s included Exclusive (Joe Liggins' R&B chart-topper "The Honeydripper," Charles Brown, etc.), Excelsior (Nat "King" Cole, Charles Mingus, etc.), Peacock (Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, etc.), Down Town (Lowell Fulson, etc.), Southern (Tab Smith, etc.), and Swing Beat (Ray Charles, etc.).
@arthurthroovest558
A blues classic... by the master. To my ear, perfectly executed and recorded. Wunnerful!
@mattschmierer2394
Arthur Throovest Otis Spann!
@Kathy0851
Jimmy Witherspoon was a genius! I still think his version of "Handbags and Gladrags" was absolutely the BEST ever!
@Mjollnir1234
Real deal here, kids.
You can hear him in thousands who came after him.
Respect.