Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)

Subject: Ain't Nobody's Business
From: Lightning
Date: 22 Sep 98 - 04:17 PM

Looking for the lyrics to "Ain't Nobody's Business" by Taj Mahal. Goes something like....

Cocaine don’t make me crazy, champagne don’t make me lazy. Ain't nobody's business but my own.

Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica. Ain't nobody's business but my own.

Subject: RE: Ain't Nobody's Business
From: Jon W.
Date: 22 Sep 98 - 04:49 PM

To start off, here's an old thread where this song was discussed including several other versions.

I remember only one line in addition to what you already posted:
Cocaine's for horses, not for men
They said it would kill me but they didn't say when

Come to think of it, that's from a different song - the refrain went "Cocaine, crawlin' all 'round my brain." But it could be used anyway.

Subject: RE: Ain't Nobody's Business
From:
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 07:55 AM

I think the phrase about "They say it will kill me..." also is in the song "Take a Whiff on Me" which was originally performed by the Memphis Jug Band under the name of "Cocain Habit Blues" (or something close) and which I think was redone by Jim Queskin's jug band in the 60s.

Rev. Garry Davis does a good (from the guitarists point of view) version of "Cocain, crawlin all 'round my brain".

Murray

Subject: RE: Ain't Nobody's Business
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 09:26 PM

If you try a search for [nobody's business] in the DT, you'll find a couple of examples.

Subject: Ain't Nobody's Business - Again!
From: Lightning
Date: 28 Sep 98 - 07:16 AM

This is a re-post from last week. I'm looking for the lyrics to "Ain't Nobody's Business" by Taj Mahal. This version is NOT in the DTF database. It goes something like....

Cocaine don’t make me crazy,
champagne don’t make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS (Taj Mahal)
From: dwditty
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 11:33 AM

Cocaine don't make me crazy,
champagne don't make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.
Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

You can drive your big Cadillac to church on Sunday
You can hang around the house with your baby on monday
Ain't nobody's business but your own
I don't care what in the world that you do
Long as you do what you say you're going to
Ain't nobody's business but your own

Now I know some of you cuties, yeah you real fine cuties
You gonna step downtown just to hang around
Standing on the corner so the fellas will stare and say
oooooooooo,...ain't she sweet

Repeat 1

You can walk downtown in your birthday suit
I see you comin out of the bank with a whole lotta loot
Ain't nobody's business what you do
They say cocaine is for horses, that it ain't for men
The doctor said it'll kill me but he won't say when
Ain't nobody's business but my own

Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 05:10 AM

(Chorus)
Champagne don't make me crazy.
Cocaine don't make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.
Candy is dandy and liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down to Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

You can ride a great big pink Cadillac to church on Sunday.
You can hang around the house with your lady on Monday.
Ain't nobody's business but your own.
Man, I don't care what in the world that you do,
Long as you do what you say you're going to.
Ain't nobody's business but your own.

Now, I know some of you cuties, you real fine cuties,
You gonna step downtown just to hang around,
Standing on the corner so the fellas will stare and say:
"Oooooooooo, ain't she sweet?"

(Chorus)

You can walk downtown in your birthday suit.
I can see you comin' out of the Bank of America with a whole lotta loot.
Ain't nobody's business what your own.
Now you know that they say cocaine is for horses, now that it ain't for men.
The doctor said it'll kill me but he won't say when.
Ain't nobody's business but your own.

Now you know sometimes I put on my straw hat, my striped pants, and spats, baby, and you know I go truckin' downtown,
Standin' on the corner so the fellas can say,
"Hey, man, ain't you the brother in the '57 Mercury with turnpike skirts and the chrome reverse wheels, with whitewall tires with license under the skirt, painted lime green with reversible license plates with dark windows you can see out can't nobody see with four on the floor 745 horsepower and a big stereo listening to Wolfman Jackson! Ain't this X-E-R-B baby?"
(Chorus)

Come on now let's try it 1-2-3

Chorus

Chorus

Subject: RE: Taj Mahal Lyrics: Ain't nobody's business
From: PoppaGator
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 03:19 PM

Here's an earlier set of lyrics to the same song (actually, two sets of alternate lyrics), Mississsippi John Hurt's "Nobody's Dirty Business":

Scroll down to 2d song on the page.

You'll note that at least one word there is marked with a [?]. If anyone knows just what Hurt is saying when he's making that rhyme with "Pensacola," please contact Uncle Tink at his website; I'm sure he'd love to update that lyric and would do so immediately, assuming that someone can supply a plausible correction.

The variations posted above by dwditty and GUEST both seem very familiar to me (including the spoken interjections). Are they transcribed from two different Taj Mahal recordings?

I first learned this song from tablature published in Sing Out! magazine in '63 or '64. I believed that Eric Von Schmidt was the person credited for his arrangement of a traditional song, and the title was given as "Champagne Don't Hurt Me Baby."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,Dwight
Date: 07 Feb 06 - 09:51 PM

I folks,
Sorry to bother you but you know how it is when you have a lyric
running through your mind and can not remember who sang it!

I have one (stanza?) that keeps running through my mind and I can't place it.
HELP!!!

All I remember is the following;
"CANDY IS DANDY BUT LIQUOR IS QUICKER
YOU CAN GET ALL THE (LIQUOR?) DOWN IN COSTA RICA
AIN'T NOBODYS BUSINESS BUT MY OWN..."

Is it from Taj Mahal? I don't see those exact words.
Any guidance would be appreciated.

Dwight
[e-mail]

ps
Garry Cee from WPDH turned me on to this site!
Thanks GC!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 09:15 AM

Sometimes it pays to actually read a thread rather than search it.

A difference of only one word in a phrase can cause your search to fail even when the answer is right before your eyes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 05:28 PM

There are so many sets of lyrics to this song, which has been recorded in folk, jazz, jug band, rock, and who knows how many other versions.

Taj's version seems to be especially interesting since he includes a lengthy spoken interlude that some folks have chosen to transcribe. But are these words truly "song lyrics"? The actual lyrics sung to the tune in question are rhymed couplets, followed by a third line that is normally some variation of the title phrase.

My post from 2004 (just above) included a link to the late lamented "Uncle Tink's Lyrics" website. I've asked elsewhere, and I'll ask again in this thread: Anyone know what happened? Anyone know Uncle Tink? Can his treasure-trove of Mississippi John Hurt lyrics be salvaged?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,cooler
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 01:30 AM

This may be what you are looking for...

http://www.msjohnhurtmuseum.com/lyrics.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: 12-stringer
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 04:37 AM

Since they still don't solve this at the Hurt Museum, the undeciphered line noted above by Poppa Gator, is

"Goin' back to Pensacola, gonna buy my babe a money molar," which is to say, a gold tooth.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 03:08 PM

Wow, 12-stringer, thanks a lot! I had given up on anyone deciphering that bit of North Mississippi dialect. "Money molar," indeed! Did po' folks back then routinely take out a tooth and pawn it when times got tough? Yikes!

The MJH museum site used to link to Uncle Tink's lyrics, but now goes to a different source. That must mean that Tink is gone from the web forever ~ too bad. I think his collection of MJH lyrics included a little more than anything available now, and he also provided informative/amusing footnotes wherever a word might have sounded ambiguous, or if an obscure reference (like that "money-tooth") might have required explanation.

I'll be performing this song tomorrow evening as one of many duet-partner "guest artists" at Spencer Bohren's annual Christmas Party and Revue. We'll be doing what I call my MJH "Ain't Medley" ~ "Ain't No Tellin'" (aka "Pallet on your Floor") and "Ain't Nobody's Business." These are two of the many key-of-C John Hurt classics; I'll be capoed up two frets, allowing Spencer to play his accompaniment in open D tuning.

Spencer sings this song pretty often as part of his regular repertoire, and knows enough different lyrics to stretch it out to six or eight minutes or more if he sees fit. (He seems to know all the versions.) I'll sing my few verses of "Nobody's Business" first and then make the song-change to "Pallet/Ain't No Tellin'." Then it'll be up to the bossman to switch back to this song, or not, as he sees fit, and if so, to decide how many additional verses to tack on.

Our other number will be a Dylan cover-to-be-determined in G, me in standard tuning as usual (no capo this time), and Spencer playing electric slide lap steel in open G. We rehearsed a few possible choices the other day, and they all sounded pretty awesome, much better than anything I can do on my own. We'll have to decide on just one, but it hardly matters which...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,Roselyn Lionhart
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 05:37 PM

I do this song too and I know it was a hit back in 1927 when cocaine was legal and liquor wasn't, but I don't know who recorded it.

I do a story on it too, and our CD, David and Roselyn, "Tantilizing Tales" will be out soon, and I'll send the lyrics and the story then.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: Joe_F
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 09:56 PM

Bessie Smith recorded it in 1923.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 10:33 AM

Hi, Roselyn ~ fancy meeting you here! Seeing this discussion pop up, rereading it, and then seeing your name, certainly reminded me of that Christmas show at the Snug, especially the big finale when we all squeezed onto the stage to sing "Circle Be Unbroken."

Maybe I'll see you tomorrow evening at St Anna's.

Tom

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 06:14 PM

I remember hearing this a lot in 1972, not much since then. I seem to recall that it was a concert recording; however, I am unable to find on what album. Does anyone know? Also, I recall the lyrics slightly different, such as "lights under the skirts". What was great was when he said "with windows you can see out", and then changes inflection to emphasize "can't nobody else see in". I thought also that there was a reference to a "whip aerial" and maybe a spotlight.

Subject: Lyr Add: NOBODY'S BUSINESS BUT MY OWN (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,Root Beer Slim
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 08:14 PM

You can find the Taj Mahal version of this tune on an album called 'Big Sur Festival - One Hand Clapping', Columbia Records #64844, released in 1972 but recorded in 1971. Also appearing on the recording are Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Mickey Newbury, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mimi Farina, John Cooke, Tom Jans, Larry Hankin, Lily Tomlin and the Big Sur Choir. I met Taj once at a 'Peace Sunday' concert at the Rose Bowl in 1983 and even he didn't know what album had this version. It took me several years of combing used record stores during my traveling days, coast to coast.

You are also correct in the references to a tricked out car in a rap Taj does between verses. I just faithfully transcribed the following directly from the LP, with his vernacular and mis-speaks verbatim.

Champagne don't drive me crazy.
Cocaine don't make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.
Candy is dandy, and liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

You can ride a great big pink Cadillac to church on Sunday,
You can hang around the house with your old lady on Monday.
Ain't nobody's business but your own.
Man, I don't care what in the world that you do,
As long as you do what you say you goin' to.
Ain't nobody's business but your own.

Now I know some of you cuties, you real fine cuties,
You go steppin' downtown just to hang around.
Standing on the corner so the fellas will stare and say
"Owhhhhh, ain't she sweet!"

Champagne don't drive me crazy.
Cocaine don't make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.
Candy is dandy, and liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

You can walk downtown in your birthday suit.
I can see you comin' out of the Bank of America with a whole lotta loot.
Ain't nobody's business but your own.
Now you know that cocaine for horses, now it ain't for men.
The doctor said it'd kill me but he didn't say when.
Ain't nobody's business but your own.

Now you know sometime I put on my straw hat and my stripe pants and my spats, baby, you know, and I go truckin' downtown.
Standin' on the corner so the fellas can stare and say,

"Hey man, ain't you the brother in the '57 Mercury with the turnpike skirts, and the chrome reverse wheels with white-wall tires and lights under skirts, with, painted lime green, with reversible license plates, with windows you can see out, can't nobody see in, with four-on-the-floor, seven hundred and forty-five horse power and a big stereo listenin' to Wolfman Jack say "Ain't this XERB baby?"

Champagne don't drive me crazy.
Cocaine don't make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.
Candy is dandy and liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but your own, but my own.

Come on now let's try it, here we go, 1-2-3

Now champagne don't drive me crazy.
Cocaine don't make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.
Sing it out!
Candy is dandy, and liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

Once again.

Champagne don't drive me crazy.
Cocaine don't make me lazy.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.
Candy is dandy, and liquor is quicker.
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

(applause)

Thank you!

(applause)

It's just Taj and a banjo.

I hope this helps. There doesn't seem to be a CD of this album available.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 12:55 PM

Root Beer Slim- Thanks! I thought it was a California concert, but I couldn't remember where. Given your references to the Rose Bowl and used record shops, was one of the shops "Record Surplus" on Pico in West L.A.?

Subject: Incredible - The Book of Eli download
From: GUEST,KellyLamb
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 01:11 PM

I watched it at t b o e . i n f o worked great after I did a short survey!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 02:28 AM

We did this song in a 'Classic' bluesband and people loved it so we learned several other Taj Mahal songs. They broke up the monotony of 'Suffle in A', Shuffle in C', etc. As we began to expand our songlist we started including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Eva Cassidy and Fontella Bass, just to name a few. All fit very well within the blues genre and were always well received. But, TM songs always seemed to connect on some 'fun' level. We LOVED playing them.

Btw, our lineup included bass, drums, harp, guitar. We did unplugged sets, too which were always fun. Try TM's version on youtube. It's not hard to find.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nobody's Business (Taj Mahal)
From: GUEST,John N
Date: 19 Nov 16 - 10:49 PM

First heard this song in mid seventies . I bought all the Taj Mahal records I could find looking for it. Didn't know name of song and before Google/ Internet. Really got to like Taj Mahal but frustrated I couldn't find this song. Then comes EBay and I bought a boat load of Reel to Reel tapes and one of them was the Big Sur Festival concert. Low and behold Taj Mahal sang two songs and one of them was ' Ain't no nobody's business...'. Now I knew where it was but still did not have it on vinyl. That was 1998. I love vinyl and definitely a vinyl junkie. Well today I was in an antique store in Shreveport , LA combing through a Various Artists section and BOOM there it was. Finally I have the vinyl version. The hunt is always a thrill. It's a great song version Taj does.