I got the following inquiry about this song, so I thought I ought to do some honest research on it. Here's the inquiry:A few years ago you posted lyrics & chords in a Polka thread to a song called "Just Because". You gave a 1930s copyright date. I was doing a lyrics search for a song recorded in the 1920s by a country group called Nelstone's Hawaiians called "Just Because" The 78 is available to listen to on the Juneberry website. The chords you gave sound just like the Nelstone's tune and the first verse lyrics are very similar (Nelstone's only sang one verse). I have heard Del McCoury sing the song with extra verses, and someone told me that Elvis recorded it too. Do you know what the whole story is?
Thanks,
Joe
JUST BECAUSE
(written by Bob Shelton/Joe Shelton/Sid Robin)
© Peer International Corporation, 1937, 1970
Just because you think you're so pretty
Just because you think you're so hot
Just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got
Though you made me spend all my money,
You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
But I'm tellin' you, honey,
I'm through with you
Because, just because
Just because you think I'll be lonesome
Just because you think I'll be blue
Just because you think I'll be foolish
To stay at home and wait for you;
Though you made me drop all my girlfriends,
You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
But I'm telling you, honey,
I'm through with you
Because, just because
There will come a time you'll be lonesome,
There will come a day you'll be blue,
When old Santa Claus won't be near you,
To pay all the bills for you;
Though you may say that I am foolish,
And think you had the drop on Santa Claus
But I'm tellin' you, baby,
I'm through with you,
Because, just because.
Just because I know that you'll want me,
Just because you'll miss all the fun,
Just because I know you'll be sorry
For all of the things you've done;
Though you'll come to me and be beggin',
Don't think that I'll still be old Santa Claus,
Now, I'm knockin' wood,
This time I'm through for good,
Because, just because.
Source: The Best Fake Book Ever, Hal Leonard, 1990
I apologize for my previous sloppiness.
Coming from Milwaukee, I grew up with the Frankie Yankovic version, which had the first verse, an instrumental verse, a repeat of the first verse, and another instrumental. It was a standard at weddings, although questionably appropriate. Here is my transcription of the lyrics from the Yankovic recording (from Frankie Yankovic's Greatest Hits, of course):
Just because you think you're so pretty
Just because you think you're so hot
Just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got
You caused me to spend all my money,
You laugh and call me old Santa Claus
I'm tellin' you, baby,
I'm through with you
Just because, just because.
I bought an MP3 of the Nelstone's Hawaiians recording of "Just Because" (which has one verse, repeated twice). It's definitely the same song, although the lyrics are slightly different. Recording date was November 30, 1929 (click). Here's my transcription: Just because you think that you're pretty
Just because you think that you're hot
Just because you think you've got something
That you think that I haven't got;
You made me spend all my money,
You thought I was old Santa Claus
I'm tellin' you true,
I'm done with you
Just because.
Here's the information on Nelstone's Hawaiians from the All-Music Guide:Nelstone's Hawaiians, a folk group formed in southern Alabama by steel guitarist Hubert Nelson and guitarist James D. Touchstone, recorded for Victor during the late '20s. The Hawaiian style of steel-guitar playing, popular during the '20s after Hawaii entered the Republic, featured on many of their recordings. Little else is known about Nelstone's Hawaiians, though the song "Fatal Flower Garden" was included on Harry Smith's 1952 folksong collection Anthology of American Folk Music.
Oh, yes, it was recorded by everybody and his brother, including Elvis. Look here (click) Just Because recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 14 September 1954 Written by: Robin
Originally recorded by Nelstone's Hawaiians in 1929
Hear Elvis's version on: Elvis Presley (Rock 'n' Roll No.1); The Complete 50's Masters 1
Cliff Carlisle's "You'll Miss Me" is subtitled "(Just Because)"and is perhaps the semi-original version of "Just Because." The tune of a march called "Washington and Lee Swing" from 1910 is also a clear influence. The first "real" version, however, seems to be that of Nelstone's Hawaiians. The group consisted of Hubert Nelson (vocal and steel guitar) and James D. Touchstone (vocal and guitar), both from southern Alabama. The Shelton Brothers' version of "Just Because" was a big hit on the Decca label in 1935 and was listed with writers Shelton, Shelton and Robin—don't know why, as it is clearly the same number as that of Nelstone's Hawaiians!
Thanks for keeping me honest, Joe - I didn't really like that version I copy-pasted above.
-Joe Offer-
Sept 13, 2008 - I heard a polka version today at our local Polish-American festival. It sounded just like the way I used to hear it on the Polish south side of Milwaukee.