'tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
Peggy Lee · Other Songs - Peggy Lee
Or nothing I can say
That folks don't criticize me
But I'm going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And don't care just what people say
If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain't nobody's business if I do
If I go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day Monday
Ain't nobody's business if I do
If my man ain't got no money
And I say "Take all of mine, honey"
Ain't nobody's business if I do
If I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Well, I'd rather my man would hit me
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Ain't nobody's business if I do
I swear, I won't call no copper
If I'm beat up by my papa
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Nobody's business
Ain't nobody's business
Nobody's business if I do
'tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
Peggy Lee's 1956 recording of 'tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do' stands as a quintessential example of the vocal jazz standard, showcasing her signature cool, detached delivery. The song, written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, explores themes of personal responsibility and the consequences of infidelity. Lee's interpretation strips away melodrama, focusing instead on a matter-of-fact narrative that has become a staple of the Great American Songbook. Her performance captures the era's sophisticated urban sensibility, blending smooth phrasing with a restrained emotional core that defines her career. This track remains a significant song in her discography, illustrating her ability to convey complex human emotions through understated artistry.