Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love (Alternate Take) - Peggy Lee

[ewallt]

The above referenced original opening stanza of the chorus were changed to the now much better known refrain: "Birds do it, Bees do it" by Cole Porter when he realized that the line was offensive. (From wiki "Let's_Do_It,_Let's_Fall_in_Lo­ve")

[mllean0nyme]

Lee Wiley sang it, but then "even the dragonflies [are doing] it" ? Don't really understand !?

[waynebrasler]

It wasn't an alternate take but a different recording done at a different recording session. Benny had Peggy rerecord several of her songs before they were released. The funny part is I can never figure what was wrong with the first version! She did loosen up as her time with Goodman progressed; on the first take of "Elmer's Tune" she sounds like she's facing an execution.

[ghostguy1]

this is nice , shame there is no video to go with it though

this is a wonderfully witty song

[tsntana]

Well said to the 6 comments below (as arranged on the video page).

[zoomaran]

I wasn't even aware she used the words chinks and japs when I first heard this version. I loved the music, especially Peggy Lee singing. My ethnicity is Chinese and nationality is American. I have been American longer than many Americans, yet many still consider me a foreigner. Forgive those who slander. Ignorance and prejudice will always be with us, It is better to treat all people kindly and respectfully and not be a part of that anger, arrogance and ignorance.

[Carambabambasamba]

That's very nice of you to say. Because those lyrics were officially part of the song, in the 1930's & 40's they were always included. Many of the singers who sang them were following the orders of their bosses, & the bosses were following the rule of doing lyrics as officially written by the songwriter, who in this case was the famous Cole Porter. Back then, Porter probably didn't think that he was writing anything insulting but if he was writing today I bet he would have not used those words.

[zoomaran]

I love your youtube name. It has rhythm. Thanks very much for your reply. Yes, things are done within the context of their particular place and time. I love music and dance especially artists like Peggy Lee and Cole Porter. Life is short. Enjoy the music and dance. Don't sweat the small stuff. Call me anything but don't call me late for dinner.

[GrenvilleT]

Her 'do it' is wonderfully terse and suggestive.

What a star. I love her.

[TheJazzStreet]

peggy lee was one of the greates jazz and popular singers of all time.. she has this classy and smooth style that everyone liked.. also she was a very humble and kind person , God bless you Miss Lee.

[ebrisby]

Awesome song-especially with all the slander. PC (politically correct- not personal computer) was started to make people comfortable. There is a slanderous term for every culture and creed- get over it. During the era this song debut the slang was relevant and widely excepted. Had it been another time we would have tolerated other now unacceptable terms. Half of you can't even spell or formulate a proper sentence. Why don't we worry about our futures' literacy!

[redluvskoda]

It's like getting mad at a history book for telling the true story...it doesn't make what happened right. As long as we are learning from our past mistakes...removing them and acting like they never existed is more ridiculous!

[taosimplicity]

@redluvskoda , best comment so far on the subject."As long as we are learning from our past mistakes...removing them and acting like they never existed is more ridiculous!" Good music in my opinion transcends all of that anyway don't you think?

[redluvskoda]

It was a different time and I think that needs to be respected. I'm not saying it was right that those were the lyrics but it sure isn't right jumping all of someone for enjoying the old fashioned, original version. I'm sure those 2 words weren't the reason she liked it. To me "Chinks" and "Japs" is a lot less offensive then what's in music now. Maybe you're cool with all the rap songs calling girls "bitches & hoes" and using "nigga" like a freakin' pet name.

[Metusaleh]

Well said, but please let's clarify that this is a song that Peggy sang with her boss Benny Goodman. He was the one who made the final decisions about what his singers could or could not sing, not she. Later, when Peggy went solo, she did not sing this song again.

[jazzgirl1920s]

Nice to hear Peggy Lee singing the original words to this tune for a change. " The Chinks do it, the Japs do it" instead of that politically correct crap that came later, "The birds do it, the bees do it"

The 1920's, 1930's and 1940's was a great free time. It didn't have the censorship and all the politically correct crap of today's time.

[NiceGirl024]

You were free along as you weren't different. Think about the big picture!

[7814679]

That "politically correct crap" exists for a reason, moron. People - not you maybe - find it offensive. I am sure you would be happier if the US president wasn't black (although I'm sure you'd rather use "nigger") either. Reading opinions like yours makes me want to rescind voting - no all opinion - rights for women (or maybe you prefer c"*nts"?) This world does not get better thru hate, jazzgirl, and that's where those words are coming from. You are pathetic!

[jazzgirl1920s]

There is nothing racially offensive against blacks in this songs original lyrics.

[7814679]

You totally miss the point. Just because blacks are not offended does not make it OK. If Porter wrote "Birds do it, niggers do it" as was acceptable at his time, I would be offended and I am not black. The political correctness you despise is a positive step for all people, irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. We gotta respect one another or the world goes down the tube.

[jazzgirl1920s]

Ok, you win point taken. But I recently was at performance of Miss Saigon and the lyrics of one of the songs has "greasy chinks make life so sleazy." In "Let's Do It" the words are the "chinks do it, the Japs do it" There is no reference to greasy. I think that is a lot more insulting. If the correctness is a positive step for all people then you are right. Can't argue with that. Ok, take darkey and other offensive words out of 1920's songs but also don't leave them in later music either.

[7814679]

Jazzgirl - I am very happy that you now accept the importance of PC. Actually, I am impressed that you are so amenable to

changing your mind. And it is important to understand that it is not a case of "I win/You lose" - simply that we all win or all lose when we put other people down for ANY reason. I agree "greasy chinks" is wrong! "darkey" is wrong. Now or then.