Nat King Cole – Straighten Up And Fly Right lyrics

Nat King Cole – Straighten Up And Fly Right lyrics

A buzzard took monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
But the monkey grabbed his neck and said-- Now listen, Jack
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top.
Ain't no use in divin'
What's the use in jivin'
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top.
The buzzard told the monkey "You're chokin' me
Release your hold and I'll set you free
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
Your story's so touching but it sounds just like a lie
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top.
(instrumental interlude)
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top.

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/n/nat_king_cole/straighten_up_and_fly_right.html

Songwriters: Irving Mills, Nat King Cole

Straighten Up And Fly Right lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Unregistered 2016-02-03 13:46:13

King Cole's inspiration to compose "Straighten Up and Fly Right" came from a story in one of his father's sermons, and his song became very popular during the 1940s, with regular interpretations performed on radio broadcasts and concerts by the likes of Woody Herman, Jimmy Dorsey, and Charlie Barnet. Unfortunately, Cole made the same mistake as Fats Waller and prematurely sold the publishing rights to a number of his pieces, including "Straighten Up and Fly Right," denying him an opportunity to reap the true benefits of his work. It didn't matter in the long run, as Cole's decision to switch from playing jazz piano and singing to strictly singing popular tunes made him his fortune. He still continued to perform his early hit, with his last recording of it taking place in 1961. "Straighten Up and Fly Right" continues to be Cole's most popular composition, as it is almost an obligatory part of any tribute album to the late singer and pianist. Oscar Peterson sang it as a part of an album honoring Cole not long after his death in 1965, and singer/guitarist John Pizzarelli revived it in the 1990s. The composer's daughter, Natalie Cole, also had great success with it in her widely praised album.

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