Why Don't You Do Right
russ morgan and his orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
You're sitting there wondering what it's all about
You ain't got no money, they will put you out
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
If you had prepared 20 years ago
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' out from door to door
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
I fell for your jivin' and I took you in
Now all you got to offer me's a drink of gin
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Like some other men do
The lyrics to Russ Morgan and His Orchestra's song "Why Don't You Do Right" tell the story of a woman who is fed up with her partner's lack of ambition and financial stability. She points out that in 1922, he had plenty of money, but now he lets other women make a fool of him. She urges him to "do right" and get some money for himself instead of mooching off of her. She wonders why he can't be like "some other men" who are successful and financially independent. The woman is frustrated that despite her partner's promises and charm, all he has to offer her is a drink of gin.
The lyrics are a commentary on gender roles and power dynamics in relationships. The woman is depicted as strong and assertive, while the man is portrayed as lazy and unambitious. The lyrics also suggest that women in this time period expected men to be providers and that financial stability was a key factor in choosing a partner. The song illustrates the struggles of women who were often left to support themselves and their families when their partners failed to provide.
Line by Line Meaning
You had plenty money 1922
In the past, you had a lot of money in 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
You allowed other women to deceive and manipulate you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Why don't you behave properly like other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
Leave and bring me some money as well
You're sitting there wondering what it's all about
You're sitting there feeling confused and lost
You ain't got no money, they will put you out
You have no money and they will throw you out
If you had prepared 20 years ago
If you had planned and prepared 20 years ago
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' out from door to door
You wouldn't be aimlessly wandering from door to door
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Why don't you behave properly like other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
Leave and bring me some money as well
I fell for your jivin' and I took you in
I was fooled by your tricks and I accepted you
Now all you got to offer me's a drink of gin
Now all you have to offer me is a glass of gin
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Why don't you behave properly like other men do?
Like some other men do
In the same way that other men behave properly
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe McCoy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind