Words and music by Nat King Cole and Irving Mills; American Academy of Music, Mills Music, ASCAP
The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on a 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 stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down pappa don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin,' what's the use of jivin'
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down pappa don't you blow your top
The buzzard told the monkey you are chokin me
Release your hold and I will set you free
The monkey looked the buzzert right dead in the eye
And said "Your story's so touching but it sounds like a lie"
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down pappa don't you blow your top
Musical Interlude
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down pappa don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin,' what's the use of jivin'
You better straighten up and fly right
Cool down pappa don't you blow your top
Fly right