'Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do
Unapologetic Freedom: Embracing Individuality in Billie Holiday's 'Tain't Nobody's Business
Lyrics
There ain't nothing I can do
Expressing helplessness or inevitability in facing criticism.
Or nothing I can say
Highlighting the inability to control others' opinions or judgments.
That folks don't criticize me
Acknowledging that people will always find fault or disapprove.
But I'm going to do
Asserting the intention to act according to personal desires.
Just as I want to anyway
Emphasizing the determination to follow one's own path regardless of criticism.
And don't care just what people say
Indicating a lack of concern for others' opinions or gossip.
If I should take a notion
Considering an action without being concerned about societal judgment.
To jump into the ocean
Imagining a scenario of making a personal, unconventional choice.
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Asserting the right to make personal decisions without interference.
If I go to church on Sunday
Indicating the freedom to engage in contrasting activities on different days.
Then cabaret all day Monday
Reinforcing the idea that personal choices are beyond external judgment.
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Affirming the independence to decide one's actions without societal interference.
If my man ain't got no money
Expressing autonomy in financial decisions within a relationship.
And I say take all of mine, honey
Asserting the right to share personal resources without external interference.
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Reiterating the principle that personal choices in relationships are private.
If I give him my last nickel
Emphasizing the right to make personal financial decisions without scrutiny.
And it leaves me in a pickle
Asserting autonomy in personal choices, even if they lead to difficulties.
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Reinforcing the privacy of personal decisions, irrespective of consequences.
Well, I'd rather my man would hit me
Expressing a preference for a certain form of conflict within a relationship.
Than follow him to jump up and quit me
Choosing personal autonomy over conforming to societal expectations.
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Asserting the right to make choices even if they are unconventional or challenging.
I swear, I won't call no copper
Committing to personal choices without seeking external intervention.
If I'm beat up by my papa
Rejecting the idea of involving authorities in personal matters.
Ain't nobody's business if I do
Affirming the right to handle personal challenges without external interference.
Nobody's business
Summarizing the overarching theme of personal autonomy and privacy.
Ain't nobody's business
Reiterating the idea that personal choices are not subject to external judgment.
Nobody's business if I do
Concluding the song with a final assertion of personal autonomy.
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