Knowledge (XXG)

Why Don't You Do Right?

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The song has its roots in blues music and originally dealt with a marijuana smoker reminiscing about lost financial opportunities. As it was rewritten, it takes on the perspective of the female partner, who chastises her man for his irresponsible ways, complaining that her other lovers provide her
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Lee often stated that Green's recording was influential to her music. In a 1971 interview she said, "I had the record, and I used to play it over and over in my dressing room, which was next to Benny Goodman
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were members of the band). McCoy later rewrote the song, refining the composition and lyrics. The new tune, titled "Why Don't You Do Right?", was recorded by
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with more money: "Why don't you do right, like some other men do? Get out of here and get me some money too."
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Benny Goodman and His Orchestra with Peggy Lee, performing "Why Don't You Do Right?" in
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Original Benny Goodman Trio and Quartet Sessions, Vol. 1: After You've Gone
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The Benny Goodman Sextet Featuring Charlie Christian: 1939–1941
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One of the best-known versions of the song was recorded by
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jazz band recorded "The Weed Smoker's Dream". The original
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on July 27, 1942, in New York. Featured in the 1943 film,
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recorded the next year – accompanied by
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Dubai: Carlton Books. p. 13. 450:Who Framed Roger Rabbit (soundtrack) 1438:Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) 720:Peggy Lee - Why Don't You Do Right? 555:The Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums 206:The song appeared in the 1988 film 27:Blues song popularized by Peggy Lee 1382:I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good) 1070:Peggy Lee Sings with Benny Goodman 848:Peggy Lee Sings with Benny Goodman 25: 508:"Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #9" 972: 856:The Benny Goodman Treasure Chest 906:Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) 704:. Record Research. p. 232. 1547:The Folks Who Live on the Hill 1424:Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me) 1336:Miss Peggy Lee Sings the Blues 1: 1466:Baubles, Bangles, & Beads 1049:Songs from Pete Kelly's Blues 1575:The Chesterfield Supper Club 1559:"I Love Being Here with You" 445:List of 1930s jazz standards 1217:Then Was Then – Now Is Now! 784:Swinging 34 Vols. 1 & 2 677:Findingaids.library.unt.edu 160:" (originally recorded as " 18:Why Don't You Do Right 1794: 1273:Bridge Over Troubled Water 251:William "Big Bill" Broonzy 164:" in 1936) is an American 1487:Hallelujah, I Love Him So 1035:Rendezvous with Peggy Lee 968: 611:Murrells, Joseph (1978). 588:"Why Don't You Do Right?" 272: 268:"Why Don't You Do Right?" 217:as the singing voice for 37: 1459:Just One of Those Things 1403:The Way You Look Tonight 808:From Spirituals to Swing 615:The Book of Golden Discs 477:"Why Don't You Do Right" 249:in 1941, with guitar by 88:Chicago, October 2, 1936 1768:Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1410:Why Don't You Do Right? 952:The Benny Goodman Story 920:Taking a Chance on Love 864:Benny Goodman in Moscow 646:"Peggy Lee – Biography" 512:Digital.library.unt.edu 336:New York, July 27, 1942 313:"Six Flats Unfurnished" 209:Who Framed Roger Rabbit 158:Why Don't You Do Right? 1445:The Old Master Painter 927:Why Don't You Do Right 525:Russell, Tony (1997). 225:Composition and lyrics 1778:Decca Records singles 1593:The Guy Mitchell Show 1522:Is That All There Is? 1329:Close Enough for Love 1266:Is That All There Is? 213:performed by actress 33:"Weed Smoker's Dream" 1758:Songs about cannabis 1733:1930s jazz standards 1119:Beauty and the Beat! 1748:Benny Goodman songs 1175:Blues Cross Country 1105:Things Are Swingin' 872:Benny Goodman Today 261:Peggy Lee recording 185:chord substitutions 162:Weed Smoker's Dream 1646:Pete Kelly's Blues 1639:Lady and the Tramp 1618:Stage Door Canteen 1389:Blues in the Night 1147:Christmas Carousel 407:Stage Door Canteen 282:Stage Door Canteen 1715: 1714: 1693: 1685: 1677: 1357:Moments Like This 1287:Where Did They Go 1245:Somethin' Groovy! 986: 985: 557:. 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Index

Why Don't You Do Right

Single
Harlem Hamfats
B-side
Genre
Blues
jazz
Label
Decca
Songwriter(s)
Kansas Joe McCoy
Herb Morand
blues
jazz
Kansas Joe McCoy
minor key
twelve-bar blues
chord substitutions
standard
Lil Green
Peggy Lee
Benny Goodman
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Amy Irving
Jessica Rabbit
Harlem Hamfats
Decca Records
Kansas Joe McCoy
Herb Morand

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