DOIN' WHAT I PLEASE
(Andy Razaf / Fats Waller)


Don Redman & His Orch. - 1932
Adelaide Hall - 1932




As recorded by DON REDMAN:

I'm staying single
Conscience at ease
Well, I'm free to mingle
I do what I please!

When I'm out late nights
No one has my keys
Yeah, I keep my date nice
Doin' what I please

You know, I don't have no star boarders
Because they keep you on the shelf
And I ain't takin' orders
So I just go along enjoyin' myself

Should I go sailing
Cross seven seas
No one can stop me
Doin' what I please

(Instrumental Break)

You know I have romances
Just like a dog has fleas
And I take in all the dances
That's because I do what I please

I blow in at these parties
Just like a reckless breeze
I outsmart all these other smarties
Because I do just what I please

You know, where there's no action
You'll find that there's blues about
And I get my satisfaction
Only when I'm steppin' out

And whenever I get tipsy
Out at one of these jamborees
No one can stop me
'Cause I do what I please


********************


As recorded by ADELAIDE HALL:


Since my sweetie proved untrue
I see life different now
Ain't got nobody with strings on me
Where I go and what I do
Is my own biz, and how
I'm livin' independently
And from now on I vow

I'm free and single
My conscience is at ease
I'm free to mingle
I'm a-doin' what I please

I stay out late nights
No one has my keys
I keep each date nice
Oh, a-doin' what I please

Don't have no star boarders
'Cause they keep you on the shelf
I ain't takin' orders
For I just enjoy myself

Should I go sailin'
Cross the seven seas
Nobody to stop me
I'm a-doin' what I please

I've had romances
Like a dog has fleas
I keep each date nice
Oh, a-doin' what I please

Breeze in at these parties
Like a reckless breeze
Outsmart the smarties
Just a-doin' what I please

Where there is no action
Why, the blues is all about
I ain't takin' orders
While I'm just enjoyin' myself

Should I get tipsy
On a jamboree
Nobody to stop me
I'm a-doin' what I please



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - January 2016)