Button Up Your Overcoat
Peggy Lee · Other Songs - Peggy Lee
Now that you got me made
Goodness, but I'm afraid
Somethin's gonna happen to you
Listen, big boy
You gotta be hooked, and how
I would die if I should lose you now
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Eat an apple every day
Get to bed by three
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Be careful crossing streets, ooh, ooh
Cut out sweets, ooh, ooh
Lay off meat, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Wear your flannel underwear
When you climb a tree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Boop-boop-a-doop
When you sass a traffic cop
Use diplomacy
Just take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Beware of frozen funds, ooh, ooh
Stocks and bonds, ooh, ooh
Dockside thugs, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll
Keep the spoon out of your cup
When you're drinking tea
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh, ooh
Or on nails, ooh, ooh
Or third rails, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Keep away from bootleg hooch
When you're on a spree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Button Up Your Overcoat
Peggy Lee's "Button Up Your Overcoat" stands as a testament to her mastery of intimate, conversational vocal delivery. Recorded during a prolific period of her career, the track showcases her signature ability to blend jazz sensibilities with pop accessibility. Lee's phrasing on this recording is characteristically understated, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to land without melodrama. The song reflects her broader discography, which often explored themes of romance and vulnerability through a sophisticated musical lens. As a standout piece in her extensive catalogue, it highlights her unique capacity to transform simple melodies into deeply personal statements. This work remains a cherished example of her contribution to American popular music, demonstrating the enduring appeal of her nuanced approach to song interpretation and performance.