Ain't Nobody's Business

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Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own If I Do

Would you believe that there are three songs, all having been recorded for decades, expressing identical sentiments that it "ain't nobody's business" what the performer does? While Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do and Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own don't share the same words, they are two sides of the same lyrical coin. Bessie Smith's accompanist, Porter Grainger, wrote Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do in the 1920s, and both men and women have been performing and recording this blues standard ever since.

Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own is actually two songs, one a long-standing favorite and the other a Taj Mahal rewrite. Once again, the folks over at Bluegrass Messengers have compiled a stunning list, but it does not differentiate between any of the the three songs. The site also makes a case for all three verions of Ain't Nobody's Business having their roots in the same traditional song, published as far back as 1882.

Here you'll find a dozen music videos, the lyrics for both versions, my recommendation for the best of each, and places to get the guitar tabs and sheet music for both songs. If I've forgotten a fabulous cover version of the song or have completely missed a fantastic performance, please let me know.

My Favorite Version of Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do

Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis

Ain't Nobody's Business

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

While I adore many older versions, Ain't Nobody's Business speaks so much to the philosophies of both Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis that the fusion of the two on this song works beautifully. In addition, the combination of Marsalis' ever-smooth trumpet and Nelson's raspy, world-weary voice makes the song just that much more poignant.

Lyrics for Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do

The Billie Holiday Version

Ain't Nobody's Business, Billie Holiday, blues, songs, music, singing, standardsThere ain't nothing I can do
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 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

But 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

Music Videos for Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do

Cher, BB King, and Billie Holiday

Whether Cher is strutting her stuff or BB King jams with Lucille, these versions of Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do all have one thing in common - a sense of loneliness mixed with defiance. The two Linda Hopkins and Ruth Brown videos are amazing and the second includes bonus tap dancing! Although I couldn't find a video for it, Saffire: The Uppity Blues women also recorded a fantastic version of T'Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do. The Jimmy Witherspoon version of the song has different lyrics with the same melody as Billie Holiday's, in a rather mournful, bluesy style.
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My Favorite Version of Nobody's Business But My Own

Taj Mahal, Live, with The Pointer Sisters

Nobody's Business But My Own

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

This version was released on the 30-year-spanning, three-disc set from Taj Mahal, "In Progress and In Motion". It's sassy and fun. Every live version he records includes a different improvisation. This one's my favorite, probably for the Wolfman Jack impression buried toward the end.

Lyrics for Taj Mahal's Nobody's Business But My Own

From the Live Version Featured Above

This next song is a funny little song
About snow in the desert

Chorus
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 going to
Ain't nobody's business but your own

Now, I know some of you cuties
You real fine cuties, you go stepping downtown
Just to hang around
Standing on the corner
So the fellows will stare and say
"Oh, ain't she sweet?"

Chorus

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

Now, you know sometime I put on my straw hat
And my striped pants, my spats baby
You know I go trucking downtown
Standing 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
The white wall tires and lights running the skirts
Was painted lime green with reversible license plates
With windows that you can see out, can nobody see in
With four on the floor, 745 horsepower and a big stereo
Listening to Wolfman Jack say, "Ain't this X C I B, baby"

Chorus

Come on now let's try it,
here we go, one, two, three

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 at Costa Rica
Ain't nobody's business but my own

Once again
Chorus

My Favorite Version of Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own

From the Incomparable Ella Fitzgerald

Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

This same version of Ain't Nobody's Business but My Own, with Louis Jordan, appears on several Ella Fitzgerald compilations, because it's such a great example of the song and her style. You can almost hear her shaking her finger at him and his pseudo-innocent expression as he returns the line, "Ain't nobody's business but my own."

Lyrics for Ain't Nobody's Business Buy My Own

The Traditional Duet Version

ella fitzgerald, duet, Ain't Nobody's Business, piano, songs, music, singingNote: For this version, imagine that the first two lines of each verse are sung by one performer and the last by the other. The end is sung together.

You got a gal you love on Sunday
Then you get another for Monday.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

You say you're always home alone.
How come I can't get you on the phone?
Well, that ain't nobody's business but my own.

Chorus
Nobody's business
Nobody's business
Nobody's business but my own
Nobody's business
Nobody's business
Nobody's business but my own

All night long you're playin' poker;
Tell me, what's the name of that joker.
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

I come over, say "Here I am!"
Then I hear the back door slam.
Well, that ain't nobody's business but my own.

Chorus

You tell me you're in bed by seven
But your light's on past eleven.
Well, that ain't nobody's business but my own.

Now, you ain't so smart and you ain't good lookin'
How come you got so much cookin'?
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

Chorus

And you wear the prettiest ties and collars
Whereabouts do you get those dollars?
Ain't nobody's business but my own.

You always talk about settlin' down
When I bring a ring, you're not around.
Well, I'll be there the next time that you call.

Well let's not fuss and let's not fight.
I'm sick and tired of sayin' "Goodnight."
Well, let's make up and hold each other tight.

We both know we're birds of a feather.
Let's go into business together;
We can start a business of our own.

Chorus

And Music Videos for Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own

While Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do is generally played slower and sounds almost regretful, Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own comes across as a declaration of independence from public opinion. While Taj Mahal has re-written the song as his own, it shares the name and is such a fantastic song in its own right that I've included it here. You'll have to watch about three minutes of Muppet silliness before you get to the countrified Twiggy version, but it's worth the wait. You may get the idea that Nobody's Business is a country song from these videos. You'd be right.
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Sample Some of the Versions of Ain't Nobody's Business

Whether you prefer If I Do or But My Own

Try covers of both Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do and Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own. Listen to some of the greats, like Etta James, Taj Mahal, Sam Cooke, Willie Nelson with Wyton Marsalis, and Freddie King. In fact, the first two songs here are Billie Holiday singing one version of each! You'll find Ike and Tina Turner, Saffire The Uppity Blues Women, and Mississippi John Hurt, as well. Peggy Lee croons, "Rather than persecute me, Please just take me out and shoot me" in Tain't Nobody's Business, yet another version of the song's name.

Which Version of Ain't Nobody's Business Do You Love Best?

Who's your favorite performer of the song?

Let me know whose business you find the most interesting. Do you prefer Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do or Ain't Nobody's Business Buy My Own? Billie Holiday or Etta James? Taj Mahal or Willie Nelson? Share!

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  • Reply
    Lizz Jones Jan 30, 2012 @ 11:08 pm | delete
    Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do by Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters!
  • Reply
    PeterStreep Sep 9, 2011 @ 12:43 pm | delete
    smile, you made my day with this lens, thanx
  • Reply
    Geeve Apr 1, 2011 @ 4:20 pm | delete
    A special April Fools' Day blessing for a well-deserving lens. :)
  • Reply
    Photahsiamirabel Feb 26, 2011 @ 11:19 am | delete
    Blessed in passing... :)
  • Reply
    chemrat Jan 27, 2011 @ 1:21 am | delete
    Billie and Taj! Great song(s) and great lens.
  • Reply
    ShirlW Oct 8, 2010 @ 7:44 am | delete
    Well done. Etta James, definitely. Taj Mahal most definitely. Blessed today!
  • Reply
    Lulu Jul 27, 2010 @ 3:42 pm | delete
    I know only the chorus for a version that goes:

    Ain't nobody's dirty business how my baby treats me
    Nobody's business but my own.
    I say, it ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby treats me
    Nobody's business but my own.

    But I don't know any verses. Anyone know any?
  • Reply
    DinahFan May 11, 2010 @ 3:18 pm | delete
    What about the Dinah Washington version, "Ain’t Nobody’s Business But My Own," in which she sings "Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do" (and, later in the song, "Ain’t Nobody’s Business If We Do") - and sings three lines from the Billie Holiday version (sort of)? I am REALLY confused! Help, anyone?

    Here are her lyrics, and the composer is credited as "Grisham":

    Lord, Lord, lord
    Hmmm mmm
    Lord, Lord, lord
    Well, it ain’t nobody’s business what I do

    Some of these days I’m going crazy
    Buy me a shotgun and shoot my baby
    Well, it ain’t nobody’s business if I do

    (Said)
    If I should take a notion
    To run right down and jump in the ocean
    Well it ain't nobody's business if I do

    If me and my baby fuss and fight
    The next minute we all right
    Well it ain't nobody's business if we do

    One day little man will have ham and bacon
    Next day, ain’t nothing shakin’
    Well it ain't nobody's business if we do

    ’Cause I’m three times seven
    Yes, and that makes 21
    Son, it ain't nobody's business what we do!
  • Reply
    earllyan Feb 24, 2010 @ 11:46 pm | delete
    I like this...
  • Reply
    _Joan_ Jan 2, 2010 @ 10:15 am | delete
    I've never heard "Nobody's Business But My Own". I like Billie Holiday's "Business If I Do".

    And I'm immediately reminded of a newer-day successor to these, "My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown.
  • Reply
    mysticmama Jul 26, 2009 @ 6:10 pm | delete
    I'm a big Billie Holiday fan, but love Bessie too... great lens!
  • Reply
    Amy Mar 15, 2009 @ 4:08 pm | delete
    I like Otis Spann's the best. I wish I could find sheet music for this song... if anyone knows where I can get it, email me. amy dot bowen at gmail dot com.
  • Reply
    sittonbull Mar 6, 2009 @ 6:33 pm | delete
    Hey you're pluggin' some of my favorite all time artist... Etta, Billie, Ella, Taj, Gladys, Chaka and Eric Clapton... ooohh! Nuff said! Good work and interesting contrast. Stars and fave into my music trivia.
  • Reply
    Aquavel Mar 1, 2009 @ 2:32 am | delete
    You've included all the greats on this lens. It's difficult to choose just one. Billie Holiday and Clapton are are my favorites, but there's Chaka too! Chaka seems to be flying, but her voice with BB king's guitar is incredible! And Willie Nelson with Wyton Marsalis is magic. And for a more upbeat feeling, there's Taj Mahal. 5*s!
  • Reply
    paperfacets Dec 1, 2008 @ 10:18 pm | delete
    This is an interesting and unique way to write about music. I was interested all the way to the end.
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Get Billie Holiday's Version 

Tain't Nobody's Business If You Do!

Billie Holiday: The Complete Decca Recordings

Amazon Price: $20.51 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

This two-disc set includes some of the best Billie Holiday attitude and fantastic vocal work. It's classic 40s Decca work, filled with strings and big band sound, but Billie isn't drowned out by all of that. She sounds fantastic and you get not only Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do (twice) but multiple versions of several other hits. The whole mess was beautifully remastered and sounds fantastic.