Miki Howard (born Alicia Michelle Howard on September 30, 1961 in Chicago, … Read Full Bio ↴Miki Howard (born Alicia Michelle Howard on September 30, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois) is an African-American singer and actress who had a string of top ten hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The daughter of gospel singer Josephine Howard of the legendary group The Caravans,and Clay Graham of Pilgrim Jubilees, Howard was discovered by R & B group Side Effect at age 16. About 1985, Howard decided she was ready to begin a solo career. A demo in the right hands landed a recording contract at Atlantic Records.

Her first hit for Atlantic was the Billboard R&B top ten single "Come Share My Love". She followed that with a remake of Glenn Miller's 1940 tune "Imagination". Her success continued with two more top ten singles, "Baby Be Mine" and "That's What Love Is". The latter was a duet with hit-making R&B crooner Gerald Levert, and was the result of the creative union Howard formed with Levert. The pair later became romantically involved, and that romance spawned one of Howard's biggest hits, "Love Under New Management". The song was written during their brief love affair, but was released after their romance had dissolved.

In 1992 Howard portrayed Billie Holiday in Spike Lee's Malcolm X , followed by a featured role in John Singleton's Poetic Justice with pop icon Janet Jackson. Howard recorded two more albums during the 1990s "Miki Sings Billie" (1993) and "Can't Count Me Out" (1996) In 2001, the album "Three Wishes" was released on the Peak label. The album peake dat #60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #25 on the Independent Albums chart. The song "Nobody" received radio airplay. The album received a Grammy nomination for "Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album" at the 2002 Grammy Awards. In 2006, Miki's album "Pillow Talk - Miki Sings the R&B Classics" was issued on the Shanachie label. The "Pillow Talk" album peaked at # 60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Howard is currently working on regenerating her career after taking some time out to raise her children. She undertook a world tour with Roy Ayers and the Jazz Allstars. In June 2008, she released her ninth studio album, Private Collection. The album was released on her own her legally owned new independent label, Branicka Records. On November 1, 2010, "Unsung: Miki Howard" was televised on TV One. In February 2011. Miki Howard continues to tour and record.

'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
Miki Howard Lyrics

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There ain't nothing I can do
Or nothing I can say
Just what I want to anyway
And I don't care just what people may say
And if I, if I take a notion
The jump-off into the ocean
Ain't nobody's bizness if I do
And if I go to church on Sunday

Then cabaret all day Monday
It ain't nobody's bizness if I do

If my baby ain't got no money
And I say take all of mine honey
Ain't nobody's bizness if I do
If I give my baby my last nickle, O
And it leaves me, leaves me in a pickle
It ain't nobody's bizness if I do
I'd rather from my baby to hit me
Then to jump off and quit me

Ain't nobody's bizness if I do
Nobody's bizness if I do

Overall Meaning

Miki Howard's cover of the classic 1920s blues song "T'aint Nobody's Business if I Do" is a powerful declaration of independence and self-determination. In the lyrics, she asserts that she can do and say whatever she wants, regardless of what anyone else thinks or says. This includes everything from jumping into the ocean to going to church one day and the cabaret the next.

The song speaks to the idea that people should be allowed to live their lives in the way they choose, without fear of judgment or interference. This is particularly relevant for women, who historically have been subject to strict social norms and expectations. In this context, "T'aint Nobody's Business if I Do" is a bold and empowering statement that challenges these norms and asserts the right to individual freedom and expression.

Line by Line Meaning

There ain't nothing I can do
I am unable to do anything

Or nothing I can say
I cannot express my thoughts or feelings through words

Just what I want to anyway
I will do only what I truly desire without concern for others' opinions

And I don't care just what people may say
I am not bothered by others' comments or judgement

And if I, if I take a notion
If I suddenly get the urge

The jump-off into the ocean
To jump into the ocean

Ain't nobody's bizness if I do
Others have no right to interfere with my decisions

And if I go to church on Sunday
If I attend church on Sunday

Then cabaret all day Monday
If I spend my Monday at a nightclub

It ain't nobody's bizness if I do
Others' opinions do not matter, as my actions are my own

If my baby ain't got no money
If my partner is broke

And I say take all of mine honey
If I offer to give all of my money

Ain't nobody's bizness if I do
My actions towards my partner are not up for debate

If I give my baby my last nickle, O
If I give my partner my last bit of money

And it leaves me, leaves me in a pickle
If giving my partner my last bit of money puts me in a tough situation

It ain't nobody's bizness if I do
Others do not have the authority to question my choices concerning my partner

I'd rather from my baby to hit me
I would prefer if my partner physically abused me

Then to jump off and quit me
Than if my partner gave up on me

Ain't nobody's bizness if I do
My opinions regarding my partner and our relationship are not up for discussion

Nobody's bizness if I do
My actions and choices are no one else's concern or responsibility

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EVERETT ROBBINS, PORTER GRAINGER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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