Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
Straighten Up And Fly Right
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The monkey thought that ev'rything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
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, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
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 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
The lyrics of "Straighten Up And Fly Right" by Sammy Davis Jr. tell the story of a monkey who goes on a ride with a buzzard in the air. Initially, the monkey thinks things are fair, but soon realizes that the buzzard is trying to throw him off its back. The monkey responds by grabbing the buzzard's neck and telling it to straighten up and fly right. The monkey advises the buzzard not to blow its top or dive and just cool down. When the buzzard tells the monkey to release it, the monkey questions the buzzard's story and asks it to straighten up and stay right. The message of the song is one of perseverance and the importance of taking control of oneself, even in difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air
The buzzard took advantage of the monkey's naivety and took him for a ride.
The monkey thought that ev'rything was on the square
The monkey believed that everything was fair and square and didn't suspect any ulterior motives from the buzzard.
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The buzzard attempted to betray the monkey and leave him stranded in the air.
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now, listen, Jack
The monkey took action to protect himself and called out the buzzard on his wrongdoing.
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and fly right
The monkey advised the buzzard to do the right thing and fly straight.
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
The monkey urged the buzzard to calm down and avoid making a mistake that he would regret.
Ain't no use in divin'. What's the use of jivin'?
There is no point in trying to deceive or mislead others without a good reason.
The buzzard told the monkey, "You're choking me
The buzzard retaliated against the monkey's actions and tried to make him stop.
Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The buzzard offered to let the monkey go if he would release his grip on him.
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
The monkey faced the buzzard directly and didn't back down from the confrontation.
"Your story's touching, but is sounds like a lie"
The monkey didn't believe the buzzard's excuses or justifications for his behavior.
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and stay right
The monkey reiterated his previous advice to the buzzard, encouraging him to do the right thing and stay on a straight path.
Straighten up and fly right, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
The monkey reinforced his previous admonition, telling the buzzard to stay calm and avoid getting angry or making foolish decisions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music
Written by: Irving Mills, Nat King Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TralfazConstruction
It has been ages since last hearing Sammy Davis Jr.'s take on this song. This used to be a staple on adult contemporary FM radio a good 53 years or so ago.
@cynthiatucker2147
The Andrew Sisters sang this and the lyrics are on google. A funny song. Heard this phrase spoken many times by my maternal grandparents. ‘You better straighten up and fly right.’ When misbehaving. 😅😅
@TheMurraymason
Wow
@LandryGrandstaff
Mafia 2, my guy
@Ethann2150
fallout 2, my guy
@life_als
LOL! What a odd channel name