Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music si… Read Full Bio ↴Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music singer. She may be best remembered for her debut single and trademark song "Delta Dawn," which went to number 6 on the country charts. Tucker released the song at the age of 13; she became the youngest singer to have a major hit song on the Country charts. Since the song's release, Tucker had major hit songs for the next two decades, and into the 1990s.

You Don't Do It
Tanya Tucker Lyrics

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Every now and then you feel like jumping off the deep end
Pack a few things head to New Orleans, commit a few sins
With a good rockin' daddy that can rock all night
Make you feel good, make you feel all right
You don't do it, baby, but you think about it

You want to spend your life, your love and your money in the fast lane
Let the good times roll, body and soul ruin the family name

There's a devil on your shoulder and he's talkin' to you
I know what he's sayin' 'cause I've been there too
You don't do it, baby, but you think about it
Well we all got a list of the do's and don'ts

Save a little space for the wills and wont's
Underline things like right and wrong
I could just go on and on and on

Yeah you want to get crazy girl, and there's no doubt
That somebody's doing what you're doing without
But you don't do it, baby, you just think about it
You think about it, baby
There's a devil on your shoulder and he's talkin' to you
I know what he's sayin' 'cause I've been there too
No, you don't do it, baby, but you think about it
No, no, no you don't do it, baby, but you think about it

I'm thinking about it right now, aha

Overall Meaning

Tanya Tucker's song "You Don't Do It" is a reflection on the inner conflict felt by many people when they are faced with temptation, but ultimately resist it. The lyrics describe the desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life and indulge in something risky and exciting, like heading to New Orleans with a "good rockin' daddy" who can "rock all night." However, the chorus emphasizes that even though the temptation is there, the person in the song ultimately chooses not to act on it, saying "No, you don't do it, baby, but you think about it."

The verses explore the idea of living life to the fullest and not holding back. The singer acknowledges that everyone has their own "list of the do's and don'ts," but encourages the listener to "save a little space for the wills and wont's." The song seems to suggest that while it's important to be responsible and make good choices, it's also important to have experiences that make life feel vibrant and exciting.

The final lines of the song, "I'm thinking about it right now, aha," leave the ending open for interpretation. It's unclear whether the singer is admitting to giving in to temptation, or merely acknowledging the desire that still exists within them.

Overall, "You Don't Do It" is a song that explores the complexities of human desire and the struggle to balance responsible choices with the need for excitement and adventure. It's a relatable theme that many people can identify with and is delivered with Tanya Tucker's signature grit and passion.

Line by Line Meaning

Every now and then you feel like jumping off the deep end
Sometimes you feel like taking risks and doing something out of the ordinary.

Pack a few things head to New Orleans, commit a few sins
You fantasize about going to a place like New Orleans and indulging in sinful activities.

With a good rockin' daddy that can rock all night
You want to be with a partner who can keep up with your wild side.

Make you feel good, make you feel all right
You want to experience pleasure and excitement.

You don't do it, baby, but you think about it
Although you don't act on your impulses, you still daydream about them.

You want to spend your life, your love and your money in the fast lane
You desire a life that is filled with adventure, passion, and material luxuries.

Let the good times roll, body and soul ruin the family name
You are willing to risk your reputation and relationships for the sake of enjoyment.

There's a devil on your shoulder and he's talkin' to you
You are tempted by the thrill of transgression, even though you know it is wrong.

I know what he's sayin' 'cause I've been there too
The singer understands how you are feeling because she has been in a similar situation before.

Well we all got a list of the do's and don'ts
We all have a set of rules and values to follow.

Save a little space for the wills and wont's
Make sure to leave room for the things you really want to do or avoid doing.

Underline things like right and wrong
Emphasize the importance of moral standards.

I could just go on and on and on
The singer could continue listing advice on how to navigate your impulses and values.

Yeah you want to get crazy girl, and there's no doubt
It's clear that you crave some wild experiences.

That somebody's doing what you're doing without
You are aware that others are living out their fantasies while you hold back.

But you don't do it, baby, you just think about it
Again, you don't actually act on your desires, you just imagine them.

There's a devil on your shoulder and he's talkin' to you
The temptation to indulge in excess and transgression is a persistent presence in your life.

I know what he's sayin' 'cause I've been there too
The singer reiterates that she can empathize with your struggle and urges you to stay true to your values.

No, you don't do it, baby, but you think about it
Once again, the song emphasizes the distinction between desire and action.

No, no, no you don't do it, baby, but you think about it
The song repeats this sentiment as a reminder that temptation is a universal experience.

I'm thinking about it right now, aha
The song ends with a playful acknowledgement of the fact that even the singer herself is not immune to temptation and fantasy.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: ALAN GORDON ANDERSON, TROY HAROLD SEALS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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