DOIN' WHAT I PLEASE
Words, Andy Razaf; music, Thomas "Fats" Waller. ©1931.

I. As recorded by Adelaide Hall, 1931.

VERSE: Since my sweetie proved untrue,
I see life diff'rent now.
Ain't got nobody
With strings on me.
Where I go and what I do
Is my own biz, and how!
I'm livin' independently,
And from now on I vow:

CHORUS 1: I'm free and single.
My conscience is at ease.
I'm free to mingle.
I'm a-doin' what I please.

I stay out late nights.
No one has my key.
I keep each date night,
Oh, a-doin' what I please.

Don't have no star boarders(?),
'Cause they keep you on the shelf.
I ain't takin' orders,
For I just enjoy myself.

Should I go sailin',
'Cross the seven seas,
Nobody to stop me,
I'm a-doin' what I please.

CHORUS 2: I have romances
Like a dog has fleas.
I keep each date night,
Oh, a-doin' what I please.

Breeze in at parties
Like a reckless breeze,
Outsmart the smarties
Just a-doin' what I please.

Where there is no action,
Why, the blues is all about.
I ain't takin' orders.
Why, I'm just enjoyin' myself.

Should I get tipsy,
On a jamboree,
Nobody to stop me,
I'm a-doin' what I please.

II. As recorded by Don Redman and His Orchestra, 1932.

CHORUS 1: I'm staying single,
Conscience at ease.
I'm free to mingle.
I do what I please.

When I'm out late nights,
No one has my keys.
Yeah, I keep my date nights,
Doin' what I please.

You know I don't have no star boarders(?),
'Cause they keep you on the shelf,
And I ain't takin' orders,
So I just go along enjoyin' myself.

Should I go sailing,
Cross seven seas,
No one can stop me
From doin' what I please.

CHORUS 2: You know I have romances
Just like a dog has fleas.
I take in all the dances.
That's because I do what I please.

I blow in at these parties
Just like a reckless breeze.
I outsmart all these other smarties
Because I do just what I please.

You know where there's no action,
You will find that there's blues about,
And I get my satisfaction
Only when I'm steppin' out.

And whenever I get tipsy,
Out of one o' these jamborees,
No one can stop me,
'Cause I do what I please.