Transcribed from vocals by Helen Kane, recorded
1/30/1929, from the musical "Follow Through,"
From Helen
Kane, the Original 'Boop-Boop a-Doop' Girl: Great Original Performances
1928 - 1930; Robert Parker's Classic Years in Digital Stereo, Louisiana
Red Hot Records, RPCD-323,
To be or not to be -
That is not the question!
I decided long ago to be!
With me, it's what to be,
Now, make me some suggestions,
Good or bad,
Which is the best for me?
When you're after fun and laughter,
this aggravates you,
Some reformers say a warmer climate
awaits you!
If it's naughty to rouge your lips,
Shake your shoulders and shake
your hips,
Let a lady confess, I want to be
bad!
If it's naughty to vamp the men,
Sleep each morning till after ten,
Then the answer is yes, I want
to be bad!
This thing of being a good little
goodie is all very well,
What can you do when you're loaded
with plenty of health
And vigor.
When you're learning what lips are
for,
And it's naughty to ask for more,
Let a lady confess, I want to be
bad!
Oh, if it's naughty to rouge your
lips,
Shake your shoulders and shake
your hips,
Then, let a lady confess, I want
to be bad!
Boop-boop-a-doop!
And, if it's naughty to vamp the
men,
Sleep each morning till after ten,
Then the answer is yes, I want
to be bad!
Nobody cares just how blue and how
lonesome I am!
If I have troubles and laugh, why
they don't give a dam-
Sel credit.
If it's wrong to let someone take,
Just a little kiss by mistake,
Let a lady confess, I want to be
ba-da-da-da-da-da
Bad!
If it's naughty
To rouge your lips,
Shake your shoulders,
And twist your hips,
Let the lady confess, "I want to
bad!"
If it's naughty
To vamp the men,
Sleep each morning
'Til after ten,
And then the answer is, "Yes, I
want to be bad!
This thing of being a good little
goodie is all very well!
What can you do if you're loaded
with plenty of hell?
And figure,
When you're learning
What lips are for,
If it's naughty
To ask for more;
Let a lady confess, "I want to
be bad!"
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Published 3/23/99.
Updated 4/1/00.
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