Why Don't You Do Right?

By Kansas Joe McCoy
1941

Although originally written as "The Weed Smoker's Dream" in 1936, McCoy refined the melody and rewrote the lyrics five years later. As a result, it was made a hit by blues singer Lil Green, with Big Bill Broonzy on guitar. It quickly became a definitive "woman's blues" number, thanks in part to a recording a year later by Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee that made Lee a star. It returned to prominence in 1988 thanks to a rendition by animated character Jessica Rabbit in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Although Kathleen Turner voiced the character, it was another actress, Amy Irving, who provided vocals on the song.

Lyrics:

You had plenty money, 1922.
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 sittin' there and wonderin' 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?
Get out of here and get me some money too.

If you had prepared twenty years ago,
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' 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.

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass
Sinead O'Connor
Shirley Horn
Kay Kyser
Julie London