The group originally comprised brothers Alan Ralph Osmond (born June 22, 1949), (Melvin) Wayne Osmond (born August 28, 1951), Merrill Davis Osmond (born April 30, 1953), Jay Wesley Osmond (born March 2, 1955) and Donny (Donald) Clark Osmond (born December 9, 1957). They were later joined by younger siblings (Olive) Marie Osmond (born October 13, 1959) and Jimmy (James) Arthur Osmond (born April 16, 1963).
In 1966, they made their performing debut with their siblings on Andy Williams Show, though they didn't come around much again until the Donny and Marie Show and The Osmond Family Show.
Business
The Osmonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here we go again, said you would no more
Oh, got to let you go girl, gave you one more try
Working after hours with some other guy
Business, guess that's business
Business, guess that's business
Girl come in my office, I wanna talk to you
Gotta make it even now that you are through
Oh, it was nice to know you, too bad it didn't work out
Don't take it too hard girl, well that's what life's about
Business, guess that's business
Business, guess that's business
Tell your friends I'm looking for another girl
I can't stop my business because you give me a whirl
Bout your crying heart girl, ain't got time to mend
Keep my mind on business, here we go again
Business, guess that's business
Business, guess that's business
Business, guess that's business
Business, guess that's business
Business, guess that's business
Business, guess that's business
The Osmonds's song "Business" is a lament about a failed romantic relationship, seen through the lens of the business world. The lyrics describe the singer's frustration with his partner's infidelity and his decision to end the relationship. He sees the breakup as a matter of business rather than emotion, and urges his partner to move on and find someone else. The chorus repeats the phrase "Guess that's business," as if to say that this kind of heartbreak is just a part of life.
The song juxtaposes the language of business with the language of love, suggesting that the two are not so different after all. The singer speaks of "working after hours with some other guy" and tells his partner to tell her friends that he's "looking for another girl." He is focused on his own needs and desires, whether they be financial or emotional, and sees the world as a transactional place. The tone of the song is resigned, suggesting that the singer has been through this before and knows it's just a part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, here we go again, like we did before
Starting the same old pattern once more
Here we go again, said you would no more
Repeating the same actions even after promising not to do so
Oh, got to let you go girl, gave you one more try
Breaking it off with the girl after giving her numerous chances
Working after hours with some other guy
Spending time with someone else instead of the girl
Business, guess that's business
Chalking up the actions to simply being part of the job
Business, guess that's business
Reinforcing the idea that it's just business as usual
Ah, that sounds all right, um, yeah
Feigning indifference to the situation
Girl come in my office, I wanna talk to you
Asking to have a conversation with the girl in a professional setting
Gotta make it even now that you are through
Settling the score now that the relationship has ended
Oh, it was nice to know you, too bad it didn't work out
Reflecting on the past and acknowledging that it didn't end well
Don't take it too hard girl, well that's what life's about
Encouraging the girl not to take it too personally and recognizing that's just how things go
Tell your friends I'm looking for another girl
Indicating that the search for another partner has begun
I can't stop my business because you give me a whirl
Explaining that the work doesn't stop just because of the girl's interest
Bout your crying heart girl, ain't got time to mend
Acknowledging the girl's heartbreak but admitting that there's no time to fix things
Keep my mind on business, here we go again
Focusing on the work and starting over the cycle once more
Business, guess that's business
Reaffirming that it's all just part of the job
Business, guess that's business
Accepting that this is how it goes
Business, guess that's business
Admitting that there's no way around it
Business, guess that's business
Concluding that this is the nature of the profession
Business, guess that's business
Summing up the song's message: it's all just part of the job
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN RALPH OSMOND, MERRILL DAVIS OSMOND, WAYNE OSMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BrideofPFunk
Really fab Mormon funk! Haven't heard this track for 35 years, but still knew all the lyrics! Ok - not exactly George Clinton, but they did their own thing and they did it very well....
@cagdeorok
Love this song. Back in the 70s this selection was really funky. It is still up to now.
@mimamagyar
haven't heard this song for years and years yet all the words are right there as I listen I can actually sing along!
@unique74muzik
they were trying to get funky on em!! love it!! this is my joint!
@gregkluge
Loved The Phase III Album, especially "Don't Panic" Always thought it should have been a single. Merrill Burned it up at the end.
@maureenwagg5305
This was my first Osmond album and I still think it holds up today as one of the funkiest albums ever.
@seansherrod8725
Wow, DITTO!!! I couldn’t agree with you MORE!
@billyfan8305
@DRUMTOY2002 Jay is without question one of the most underrated drummers ever
@perpetual61
Wow ! I haven't heard this in almost 40 years. I use to have The Phase 111 Album. Many Post from this Great Album great appreciated thanks.
@tinasuarez61
Forgot how Good this song is!