Lyr Req/Add: Ain't Nobody's Business

15 Nov 97 - 10:11 PM (#16234)
Subject: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: LPTlearnin

I only heard part of this song that I remember, it goes like this. "I'm goin down to the sunny south where the sun shines in my baby's house, Its nobodies business what I do." If anyone knows of it I would appreciate you letting me know. I heard it about 60 years ago, so it's an oldie.

---

16 Nov 97 - 12:16 AM (#16239)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: Gene

Tennessee Ernie Ford had a song many years ago .... Nobody's Business, Nobody's Business/ Ain't nobody's business but my own.....

---

16 Nov 97 - 12:45 AM (#16243)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: Gene

And there's a song posted on one of the NEWSGROUPS NOBODY'S BUSINESS WHAT I DO..... go to http://www.dejanews.com and enter [nobody's busines] ONLY one s and the post will come up....

---

17 Nov 97 - 10:29 PM (#16324)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: [e-mail]

Bessie Smith had a version of "Nobody's Business what I do"

I recall one line is

"If I get beat up by my poppa, I ain't gonna call no copper, ain't nobody's business but my own."

I think it was recorded in the late '20s.

There is also a version by Mississippi John Hurt, and versions by one or two other singer-pickers of the '30s.

Murray

---

18 Nov 97 - 07:31 AM (#16331)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: S.P. Buck Mulligan

Taj Mahal did a cover of it also - there are lots of versions around. My favorite verse (forget whose version, maybe Taj's) is

Candy's dandy but licker's quicker you can drink all the licker down in Costa Ricka Ain't nobody's business if I do

---

18 Nov 97 - 11:53 AM (#16336)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: dick greenhaus

What I recall is:

:Morphine don't faze this baby Whiskey don't drive me crazt Women don't lead me to my grave I learned to take my likker Way down in Puerto Rikker (sic) Ain't nobody's business what I do.

Once I had a gal named Minnie She was so goddam skinny Shaped just like a billiard cue; On night on the porch I found 'er Fifteen times my arms went round 'er Aint...

---

18 Nov 97 - 09:34 PM (#16361)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: rechal

I believe Bessie Smith did this originally, titled "T'aint Nobody's Business If I Do"

If I should get the notion

To jump into the ocean

T'aint nobody's business if I do.

If my man ain't got no money

And I tell him "Take all mine, honey,"

T'aint nobody's business if I do.

If I go to church on Sunday

And shimmy down on Monday

Well, t'aint nobody's business if I do.

---

18 Nov 97 - 10:37 PM (#16364)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: Jerry Friedman

^That's the one I remember from the revue "Ain't Misbehavin'", which means Fats Waller wrote it.

---

19 Nov 97 - 02:36 AM (#16374)
Subject: ADD Version: Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
From: Gene

Here's the version I found at http://www.dejanews.com

AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO
by Porter Grainger and Everett Robbins

There ain't nothin' I can do, nor nothin' I can say
That folks don't criticize me
But I'm gonna do just as I want to anyway
I don't care if they all despise me
If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
It ain't nobody's business if I do.

Rather than persecute me
I choose that you would shoot me
It ain't nobody's business if I do
If I should get the feelin'
To dance upon the ceiling'
It ain't nobody's business if I do.

If I let my best companion
Drive me right into the canyon
It ain't nobody's business if I do

After all the way to do is do just as you please
Regardless of their talkin'
Often times the ones that talk will get down on their knees
And beg your pardon for their squawkin'
If I dislike my lover
And leave (him/her) for another
It ain't nobody's business if I do.

If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret on Monday
It ain't nobody's business if I do
If my friend ain't got no money
And I say, "Take all mine, honey,"
It ain't nobody's business if I do
If I lend (him/her) my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
It ain't nobody's business if I do.

---

19 Nov 97 - 08:08 PM (#16418)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: Tim Jaques [e-mail]

I think the version with cocaine and champagne and candy is dandy ends with "ain't nobody's business but my own".

---

19 Nov 97 - 10:16 PM (#16422)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: JMike

And all these years I've thought it was a Huddy Ledbetter tune (although I too remember the Bessie Smith version as the best).

Thanks all, for the clarification, information, and elucidation.

(Before I found this place I used to think that I knew something about folk music...)

---

20 Nov 97 - 10:08 PM (#16456)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: Sir

I recall seeing a version of the song in a Jamaican Folk Song book - "Nobodies Business But Him Own"

---

21 Nov 97 - 07:39 PM (#16491)
Subject: ADD Version: Ain't Nobody's Business
From: Gene

Here's Tennessee Ernie Ford's version - could be Kay Starr on the alternating lines and duet..doesn't say.

AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS
Recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford
Words and music by: (not listed)

F: You got a gal you love on Sunday
F: Then you got another for Monday
M: Ain't Nobody's Business but my own
M: Sittin' by the phone, a-waitin' for your call
M: You're out with somebody havin' a ball
F: That Ain't Nobody's Business but my own.

CHORUS
D: Nobody's Business, Nobody's Business
D: Nobody's Business but my own
D: Nobody's Business, Nobody's Business
D: Nobody's Business but my own.

F: All night long you're playin' poker
F: Tell me, what's the name of that joker?
M: That Ain't Nobody's Business but my own
M: I come over and say here I am
M: Then I hear the back door slam
F: That Ain't Nobody's Business but my own.

CHORUS

F: You wear the prettiest ties and collars
F: Where 'bouts do you get those dollars?
M: Ain't Nobody's Business but my own
M: You always talk about settlin' down
M: When I bring the ring, you're not around
F: Well, I'll be there the next time that you call.

CHORUS

F: So let's not fuss and let's not fight
M: I'm sick and tired of sayin' goodnight
F: Lets' make up and hold each other tight
D: Love each other in all kinds of weather
D: Let's go into business together
D: We could start a business of our own.

CHORUS

---

26 Nov 97 - 04:42 PM (#16736)
Subject: Lyr Add: IT AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS (John Hurt)
From: Jon W.

I was listening to a long lost and forgotten tape and this song was on it, from a live album recorded in about 1966.

IT AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS
As sung by Mississippi John Hurt on "The Best of Mississippi John Hurt" [live recordings] (Vanguard Records, VSD-19/20) (1970) (2:37)

Ain't nobody's dirty business,
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but mine.
Ain't nobody's dirty business,
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Say, baby, did you get that letter?
If you take me back, I'll treat you better.
Nobody's business but mine.
Ain't nobody's dirty business,
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Sometime my baby get boozy,
Then again she tries to rule me.
Nobody's business but mine.
Ain't nobody's dirty business
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

I said, sometime my babe get boozy,
Then again she try to rule me.
Nobody business but mine.
Ain't nobody's dirty business,
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

---

26 Nov 97 - 05:35 PM (#16740)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: corvus corax

on the album "slow train through georgia" Norman Blake does a version of this, accompaning himself on flatpick guitar. Also reminds me of Hank Williams "Mind your own Business" corvus corax

---

04 Dec 97 - 11:19 PM (#17128)
Subject: RE: REQ.It's nobodies busness what I do
From: [e-mail]

I recently listened to some Billie Holiday songs. She has a version of Nobody's Business. The lyrics are identical to the Bessie Smith one, but Holiday takes it slower and speaks more clearly, so you can actually follow it without the lyrics in front of you.

There is also a version that I have forgotten about except for the one verse:

If one day we got ham and bacon// and the next day aint nothin taken// It's nobody's business but my (our) own.// If me and my baby want to fight// and the next moment we' alright// It's nobody's business....

Murray

---

03 Jan 09 - 10:17 PM (#2530931)
Subject: RE: req/ADD: Ain't Nobody's Business
From: GUEST,PineTop

There is a great piano version of this song on YouTube by Otis Spann that is slower than the Taj version and closer to the lyrics noted above by Bessie Smith, but does anybody know who wrote this originally or is it a traditional???

---

04 Jan 09 - 02:24 PM (#2531379)
Subject: Lyr Add: 'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO (Stokes
From: bald headed step child

My favorite version is by Frank Stokes.

Slightly different title but same basic song.

'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO - Part 2 (Take 2)
As sung by Frank Stokes on "Memphis Rounder: The Complete Victor Recordings in Chronological Order (1928-1929)" (Document Records, DOCD-5013)

I'm goin' stay round in Tennessee
Where the girls round here take a like to me
Though I won't have no other place to go
Now listen at me, baby; be good and kind
You mistreat and leave me all the time
Ain't nobody's business but mine

Ain't nobody's business, baby,
Nobody's business but mine
It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I spend my money
Nobody's business but my own

Now listen, baby, you oughta been told me
Fourteen years before you wrote me
So I would 'a' had some other place to go
I laid my head in the corner of the fence
Said crazy 'bout her treatments ever since
It ain't nobody's business but my own

Nobody's business, baby, nobody's business, baby,
Nobody's business but mine
Nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I find my money
Nobody's business but my own

I'm going back to Memphis, Tennessee
Where the gals round here always stay round me
It ain't nobody's business but mine
I been careful, I stay at home,
I've been troubled 'bout you ever since you've been gone
It ain't nobody's business, baby, but mine

It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I spend my money
Nobody's business but mine
Nobody's business, kid,
Where in the world I got my money hid
Said it ain't nobody's business but my own


BHSC

---

04 Jan 09 - 09:29 PM (#2531730)
Subject: Lyr Add: 'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZNESS BUT MY OWN
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Lyr. Add: 'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZNESS BUT MY OWN

1
Baby, you ought-a tole me,
Six months before you roll me;
I'd had some other place to go.
'Tain't nobody's bizness but my own.
2
Sometimes my baby gets boozy,
An' foolish 'bout her head,
An' I can't rule her,
'Tain't nobody's bizness but my own.
3
I went to see my Hanner
Turn tricks to my manner,
'Tain't nobody's bizness but my own.
4
Don't care if I don't make a dollar,
Jes so I wear my shirt an' collar.
'Tain't nobody's bizness but my own.

Coll. by H. W. Odum and G. B. Johnson, 1925, "The Negro and His Songs, pp. 177-178, Univ. North Carolina Press, reprint Negro Universities Press.
One of many versions.

---

01 Oct 14 - 09:55 PM (#3665210)
Subject: Lyr Add: 'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO (Stokes
From: Jim Dixon

This is my transcription from Spotify. Several words are questionable; you can probably tell which ones because some lines don't quite make sense.

'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO - Part 1 (3:10)
As sung by Frank Stokes on "Memphis Rounder: The Complete Victor Recordings in Chronological Order (1928-1929)" (Document Records, DOCD-5013)

Says my old lady took and wrote me a letter.
She told me that I'd(?) treat me better.
Nobody's business but mine.
Now she wrote the letter and she wrote t'me in haste.
If you're goin' to a better gal, you better make haste.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where I find my money,
Nobody's business but mine.
It ain't nobody business, kid,
Who in the world I do my business with.
Now it ain't nobody business but my own.

I laid my head said just between her,
Swore to the world I hadn't never seen her.
It ain't nobody's business but mine.
Now it ain't got a roof, ain't got no comb,
Poor roustabout ain't got no home.
It ain't nobody's business but my own.

It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I find my money,
Nobody's business but mine.
It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I find my money,
Nobody's business but my own.

I said, baby, y'oughta been told me
Fourteen years before you wrote me,
So I had some other place to go.
Now, baby, you oughta been told me,
Fourteen years before you wrote me,
So I had some other place to go.

It ain't nobody's business, kid,
Where in the world I got my money hid.
It ain't nobody's business but mine.
It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I find my money,
Nobody's business but my own.

This(?) business, baby,
Nobody's business, baby,
No business but mine.
Nobody's business, honey.

---

02 Oct 14 - 02:48 PM (#3665423)
Subject: Lyr Add: 'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO (Stokes
From: Jim Dixon

Another "side" from the same recording session:

'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF I DO - Part 2 (Take 1) (3:10)
As sung by Frank Stokes on "Memphis Rounder: The Complete Victor Recordings in Chronological Order (1928-1929)" (Document Records, DOCD-5013)

I'm goin' stay around this town
Where the gals won't allow me to walk around.
Ain't nobody's business but mine.
I'm goin' stay in Memphis, Tennessee,
While the gals in Memphis take a like to me.
Now it nobody's business but my own.

It ain't nobody's business, honey,
However I spend my money,
Nobody's business but mine.
It ain't nobody's business, kid,
Where in the world I got my money hid.
It ain't nobody's business but my own.

Now listen at me, baby: why don't you be kind?
You talk to me so rough all the time.
Ain't nobody's business but mine.
If I had my way I'd 'a' stayed with you,
Sayin' goodbye to thing want me to do.(?)
Baby, it ain't nobody's business but my own.

It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I find my money—
Nobody's business but mine.
It ain't nobody's business, baby,
However I treat my Sadie—
Nobody's business but mine.

I'm gwine stay around in Memphis, Tennessee,
Where ... work all on me—(?)
Nobody's business but mine.
If I had my way I'd let you alone.
Wish to God I'd 'a' stayed at home.
It ain't nobody's business but my own.

It ain't nobody's business, honey,
How in the world I spend my money—
Nobody business but mine.
It ain't nobody's business, honey,
Where in the world I find my money—
Nobody's business but my own.

It ain't nobody's business, kid,
Who in the world I do my business with.
Said it ain't nobody's business but mine.

---

02 Oct 14 - 03:41 PM (#3665437)
Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS BUT MY OWN
From: Jim Dixon

I think I can improve on Gene's transcription from 1997:


AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS BUT MY OWN
As sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Kay Starr (1950)*

1. [Starr] You got a gal; you love her Sunday,
Then you get another for Monday.
[Ford] Ain't nobody's bus'ness but my own.
You say you're always home alone.
How come I can't get you on the phone?
[Starr] Well, that ain't nobody's bus'ness but my own.

CHORUS: [Both] Nobody's bus'ness, nobody's bus'ness,
Nobody's bus'ness but my own.
Nobody's bus'ness, nobody's bus'ness,
Nobody's bus'ness but my own.

2. [Starr] All night long you're playin' poker.
Tell me: what's the name o' that joker?
[Ford] Ain't nobody's bus'ness but my own.
I come over and say: "Here I am,"
Then I hear the back door slam.
[Starr] That ain't nobody's bus'ness but my own. CHORUS

3. [Ford] You tell me you're in bed by seven,
But your lights are on past 'leven.
[Starr] That ain't nobody's bus'ness but my own.
Now you ain't so smart and you ain't good lookin'.
How come you got so much cookin'?
[Ford] Ain't nobody's bus'ness but my own. CHORUS

4. [Starr] You wear the prettiest ties and collars.
Where 'bouts do you get those dollars?
[Ford] Ain't nobody's bus'ness but my own.
You always talk about settlin' down.
When I bring a ring, you're not around.
[Starr] Well, I'll be there the next time that you call.

5. [Starr] Well let's not fuss and let's not fight.
[Ford] I'm sick an' tired o' sayin' goodnight.
[Starr] Well, let's make up and hold each other tight.
[Both] We both know we're birds of a feather.
Let's go into bus'ness together.
We can start a bus'ness of our own. CHORUS [using "our own"]


* This recording can be heard on the Tennessee Ernie Ford albums "The Greatest Hits & More" and "Capitol Collectors Series," and the various-artists album "Two's Company (Vocal Duets by Major Recording Artists)."

However, there is Kay Starr album "The Ultimate Collection" in which she sings the same song as a duet with a different male vocalist who is misidentified, at least at Spotify, as Ford. There are minor differences in lyrics. It's an inferior performance, IMO.

---

02 Oct 14 - 09:42 PM (#3665541)
Subject: Lyr Add: NOBODY'S DIRTY BUSINESS (John Hurt)
From: Jim Dixon

Apparently John Hurt recorded this several times. Here's another of his versions:


NOBODY'S DIRTY BUSINESS
As sung by Mississippi John Hurt on "Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 Okeh Recordings" (2:52)

Ain't nobody's dirty business,
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but mine.
Ain't nobody's doggone business,
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Some o' these mornin's gonna wake up crazy,
Gonna grab my gun, kill my baby.
Nobody's business but mine.
Ain't nobody's doggone business
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Some o' these mornin's gonna wake up boozy,
Gonna grab my gun, gonna kill old Susie.
Nobody's business but mine.
Goin' back to Pensacola,
Gonna buy my babe a money molder(?).
Nobody's business but my own.

Say, babe, did you get that letter?
Will you take me back? I'll treat you better.
Nobody's business but mine.
Ain't nobody's doggone business
How my baby treat me.
Nobody's business but my own.

Ain't nobody's dirty business
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.
One o' these mornin's gonna wake up crazy,
Gonna grab my gun, gonna kill my baby.
Nobody's business but mine.
Ain't nobody's doggone business
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Ain't nobody's dirty business
How my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

---

02 Oct 14 - 09:56 PM (#3665544)
Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS (Hank Williams Jr
From: Jim Dixon

This version is sung as a slow bluesy ballad:


AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS
As sung by Hank Williams, Jr. on "Lone Wolf" and "The Bocephus Box Set"

One day I have ham and bacon,
And the next day, it ain't nothin' shakin',
And it ain't nobody's business if I do, what I do.
Me and my babe, oh, we fuss and fight,
And then the next minute, yeah, ev'rything is all right,
And it ain't nobody's business what we do.

(Oh, that's all private stuff.)

One day I think I'm goin' crazy,
And the next day I'm laid back and lazy,
And it ain't nobody's business if I do.
One day I might take a notion
To go right down and jump in the ocean,
And it ain't nobody's business if I do.

---

03 Oct 14 - 09:45 PM (#3665871)
Subject: Lyr Add: NOBODY'S BUSINESS (Riley Puckett)
From: PHJim

Riley Puckett sang:

NOBODY'S BUSINESS from Riley Puckett

Sometimes I ramble.
I get drunk and gamble.
It's nobody's business if I do.
Nobody's business, it's nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.

Some of these mornin's, gonna wake up crazy,
Kill my wife and save my baby.
Nobody's business if I do,
Nobody's business, it's nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.

Morphine's gonna run me crazy.
Cocaine's gonna kill my baby.
Cigarettes gonna cause me to lose my mind.
Nobody's business, it's nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.

She drives a Cadillac,
And that's where she makes her jack.
Oh boy, that's where my money goes.
That's where my money goes,
Buyin' my baby clothes.
Nobody's business if I do.

Nobody's business, it's nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.
Nobody's business, nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.

She runs a weenie stand,
Way out in no man's land.
Oh boy, that's where my money goes.
That's where my money goes,
Buyin' my baby clothes.
Oh boy, that's where my money goes.

Nobody's business, it's nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.
Nobody's business, it's nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.

She drives a Ford machine,
And I buy her gasoline.
It's nobody's business if I do,
Nobody's business, it's nobody's business,
Nobody's business if I do.

---

03 Oct 14 - 10:01 PM (#3665873)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Ain't Nobody's Business
From: pdq

BTW, the great Kay Starr is still with us at age 92.

A few years back, I submitted her name to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

I received a nice letter saying that she was accepted.

She was born on an Indian reservation and has a basic earthy appeal.

At one time, she could "put the butts in the seats" at the big clubs is Las Vegas. To me, she is an American icon.

---