Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. (June 1, 1921 – October 6, 1985) was a well-known … Read Full Bio ↴Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. (June 1, 1921 – October 6, 1985) was a well-known American bandleader, arranger and orchestrator whose career spanned from the late 1940s until the early 1980s. Riddle is perhaps best known for his 1950s work for Capitol Records, providing jazzy big-band style arrangements to accompany such vocalists as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Louis Prima and Keely Smith. Later, his arranging talents were also used by Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Bassey, Matt Monro, Linda Ronstadt, and others. His arrangements are characterized by innovative orchestration with counter melodies and instrumentation that express the emotions of each verse of a song. Interestingly, whilst arranging the Sinatra albums he received the pay of a band sideman, which was enhanced by Capitol when Nat King Cole discovered the anomaly and insisted he receive fair remuneration.

Let's Do It
Nelson Riddle Lyrics

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You really shouldn't have done it,
You hadn't any right.
I really shouldn't have let you kiss me.
And although it was wrong,
I never was strong.
So as long as you've begun it,
And you know you shouldn't have done it,

Oh, do it again.
I may cry no, no, no, no, no, but do it again.
My lips just ache to have you take
The kiss that's waiting for you.
You know if you do you won't regret it.
Come and get it.

Oh, no one is near,
I may cry oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, but no one can hear.
Mama may scold me 'cause she told me
It was naughty but then, please, do it again.
Yes do it again, and again and again and again and again.

Turn out the light.
And hold me close in your arms
All through the night.
I know tomorrow morning

You will say goodbye and amen.
But until then, please do it again.

Overall Meaning

The song Let's Do It by Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra is a romantic ballad about the urge to continue kissing someone even though it's wrong. The singer acknowledges that what they're doing is inappropriate, but they can't help themselves. They want the other person to kiss them again and again, despite the potential consequences. The lyrics convey both the excitement and the guilt of this forbidden romance.

The first verse of the song is a dialogue between the singer and the person they're kissing. The singer tells the other person that they shouldn't have initiated the kiss, but at the same time, admits they weren't strong enough to resist. The chorus then follows, where the singer urges the other person to kiss them again, assuring them that they won't regret it. The second verse implies that the two are in a private place and no one can hear them, which adds to the feeling of secrecy and intensity.

The final verse of the song is the most emotional, as it acknowledges that this encounter is fleeting and momentary. The singer asks the other person to hold them close all night, knowing that it won't last. The lyrics "I know tomorrow morning you will say goodbye and amen" emphasize the temporary nature of the relationship, and the singer begs the other person to indulge in this moment of passion before it's too late.

Line by Line Meaning

You really shouldn't have done it,
It was wrong for you to do what you did

You hadn't any right.
You did not have permission to do it

I really shouldn't have let you kiss me.
I should not have allowed you to kiss me

And although it was wrong,
Even though it was incorrect

I never was strong.
I was not mentally strong enough to resist

So as long as you've begun it,
Since you have already started it

And you know you shouldn't have done it,
You are aware that you should not have done it

Oh, do it again.
Please do it again

I may cry no, no, no, no, no, but do it again.
It may be unpleasant for me, but please do it again

My lips just ache to have you take
I crave for you to kiss me

The kiss that's waiting for you.
I am excited to share the kiss with you

You know if you do you won't regret it.
You will not be disappointed if you do it again

Come and get it.
Please come and kiss me again

Oh, no one is near,
There is no one around to see

I may cry oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, but no one can hear.
I may be emotional, but no one will know

Mama may scold me 'cause she told me
My mother may lecture me because she advised against it

It was naughty but then, please, do it again.
What we did was playful but wrong, but I still want you to do it again

Yes do it again, and again and again and again and again.
I want you to kiss me repeatedly

Turn out the light.
Please switch off the lights

And hold me close in your arms
Embrace me tightly

All through the night.
Throughout the entire night

I know tomorrow morning
I am aware that by tomorrow morning

You will say goodbye and amen.
You will depart and that will be the end

But until then, please do it again.
Untill then, I need you to keep kissing me

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GRAHAM RUSSELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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