Oh, Lady Be Good
Artie Shaw · Other Songs - Artie Shaw
It's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
With somebody just like you. So
Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So lady, be good to me
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all-alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh lady be good to me.
Oh, Lady Be Good
Artie Shaw's 'Oh, Lady Be Good' stands as a quintessential example of the cool jazz style that defined the early 1940s. Recorded with his signature small combo, the track showcases Shaw's distinctive trumpet playing, characterized by a relaxed phrasing and a unique vibrato that set him apart from his peers. The song, a popular standard of the era, was frequently featured on Shaw's radio broadcasts and recordings, helping to popularize the swing genre among a younger, urban audience. Its enduring appeal lies in its sophisticated yet accessible melody, which perfectly complements the ensemble's tight rhythm section. As a staple of Shaw's discography, the recording captures the essence of the big band era while reflecting the innovative spirit of the swing movement.