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Well You Needn't
Thelonious Monk Lyrics

The man who only lives for making money
Lives a life that isn't necessarily sunny
Likewise the man who works for fame

There's no guarantee that time won't erase his name
The fact is, the only work that really brings enjoyment
Is the kind that is for girl and boy meant
Fall in love and you won't regret it
That's the best work of all, if you can get it
Holding hands at midnight

'Neath a starry sky
Nice work if you can get it
And you can get it if you try
Strolling with the one girl
Sighing sigh after sigh
Nice work if you can get it
And you can get it if you try

Just imagine someone
Waiting at the cottage door
Where two hearts become one
Who could ask for anything more?
Loving one who loves you
And then taking that vow
It's nice work if you can get it
And if you get it, won't you tell me how?"

Just imagine someone
Waiting at the cottage door
Where two hearts become one
Who could ask for anything more?
Loving one who loves you
And then taking that vow
Nice work if you can get it
And if you get it, won't you tell me how?"

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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"Well You Needn't" is a jazz standard composed by Thelonious Monk in 1944. Like another Monk standard, "Epistrophy", it is notable for a chord sequence in which the root note moves by semitones.

There is some disagreement about the chord progression in the bridge. On many club dates and jam sessions, musicians play the tune as it was transcribed in the original Real Book:
G7 | G7 | Ab7 | Ab7 | A7 Bb7 | B7 Bb7 | A7 Ab7 | G7 C7 |

The wide proliferation of the Real Book makes this progression the de facto standard for the bridge. Read Full Bio"Well You Needn't" is a jazz standard composed by Thelonious Monk in 1944. Like another Monk standard, "Epistrophy", it is notable for a chord sequence in which the root note moves by semitones.

There is some disagreement about the chord progression in the bridge. On many club dates and jam sessions, musicians play the tune as it was transcribed in the original Real Book:
G7 | G7 | Ab7 | Ab7 | A7 Bb7 | B7 Bb7 | A7 Ab7 | G7 C7 |

The wide proliferation of the Real Book makes this progression the de facto standard for the bridge. The "New Real Book" shows alternate bridge chords:
Db9 | Db9 | D9 | D9 | Eb9 E9 | Eb9 D9 | Db9 C9 | B9 C7 |

These could be considered tritone substitution chords for the most part.

Aside from Monk's recordings, versions have been recorded by Miles Davis (on his album Steamin'), Herbie Hancock, and many others. Mike Ferro wrote lyrics for the song in the 1970s.