Straighten Up And Fly Right
Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole Lyrics
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The monkey thought that ev'rything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
But 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
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 so 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
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don't you blow your top
Fly right
The lyrics of the song "Straighten Up and Fly Right" by Nat King Cole depict a story of a monkey who went for a ride in the air with a buzzard. The monkey thought everything was fine until the buzzard tried to throw him off his back. The monkey grabbed the buzzard's neck and asked him to listen. The monkey then advised the buzzard to straighten up and fly right, implying that the buzzard needed to change his ways and do things properly. In the second verse, the buzzard tells the monkey to release his hold, and he will set him free. But the monkey sees through the buzzard's lies and keeps his grip tight.
Line by Line Meaning
A buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air
A buzzard took advantage of the monkey and deceived him.
The monkey thought that ev'rything was on the square
The monkey believed everything was honest and fair, even though it wasn't.
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The buzzard attempted to ditch the monkey and leave him in difficulty.
But the monkey grabbed his neck and said, now, listen, Jack
The monkey took control of the situation and demanded the buzzard's attention.
Ain't no use in divin', what's the use of jivin'
It's pointless to argue or resist the facts.
The buzzard told the monkey, you're choking me
The buzzard misled the monkey and blamed him for the trouble they were in.
Release your hold and I'll set you free
If the monkey let go, the buzzard promised to assist him.
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
The monkey confronted the buzzard and didn't believe his lies anymore.
Your story's so touching, but is sounds like a lie
The monkey didn't buy into the buzzard's story and questioned its authenticity.
Straighten up and fly right
Do the right thing and act responsibly.
Straighten up and stay right
Maintain your course and don't falter.
Cool down papa, don't you blow your top
Relax and don't get too emotional or angry.
Fly right
Keep moving forward and doing what's right.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Mills, Nat King Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind