You Can't Do Me

Madeleine Peyroux

About You Can't Do Me

"You Can't Do Me" was the first single of Madeleine Peyroux's fourth solo album - Bare Bones - and it hit the radio stations on January 26, 2009. The music was written by Walter Becker and Larry Klein with lyrics by Peyroux. The song was produced by Larry Klein; it begins with an insistent piano chord. No video was produced to accompany the track.


Year:
2009
61 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

You can't do me, you can't do me, you can't do me the way you did before ?
You can't do me, you can't do me, you can't do me the way you did before ?
'Cause when you do, and when you do, 'cause when you do, you know I get so blue!
When you do, and when you do, 'cause when you do, you know I get so blue and I go
Down like a deep sea diver, out like a Coltrane tenor-man,
Lost like a Chinese war baby ? gone, gone, gone!
Blewed like a Mississippi sharecropper, screwed like a high-school cheerleader,
Tattooed like a popeyed sailorman ? gone, gone, gone!

I should have been, I should have been, I should have been a pair of ragged claws.
I should have been, I should have been, I should have been a pair of ragged claws.
And for a while, for just a while, for a good long while you'd see me smile, smile, smile
I'd crawl the seas on my bony knees, no apologies for my brave new style. I wouldn't go
Bust like an internet millionaire, boom like a Lebanese belly-dancer,
Bang like a new year's firecracker ? gone, gone, gone! I wouldn't get
Bent like a rattan rockin' chair, blanked like a last place also ran,
Burned like an Arkansas griddlecake ? gone, gone, gone!

I should have been, I should have been, I should have been a pair of ragged claws.
And if I was, if I was, if I was then I'd complain no more.
And for a while, for just a while, for a good long while you'd see me smile, smile, smile.
I'd crawl the seas, on my bony knees, no apologies for my brave new style.
I wouldn't get ?

Wrecked like a rebel on a racetrack, jacked like a '51 Cadillac,
Macked like a bunny in a mansion ? gone, gone, gone!
Spitooned like an Alabama 'backy wad, harpooned in a Melville sailor yard,
Cartooned like a Charlie Brown Christmas card ? gone, gone, gone!

Schooled like a milk money bully whip, sued like a teenage downloader,
Unglued like a bull in a china shop ? gone, gone, gone!
Cranked like a speed freak high-roller, yanked like a little league ball swatter,
Spanked like a fly on a bar counter ? gone, gone, gone!

Duked like a pistol whipped card swapper, rebuked like a Bible Belt border crosser
Juked like a payola chart topper ? gone, gone, gone!

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Madeleine Peyroux

Madeleine Peyroux (born January 1, 1973, Athens, Georgia, United States) is an American jazz singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Peyroux (French pronunciation: ​[madˈlɛn pɛˈʁu]) is noted for her vocal style, which has been compared to that of Billie Holiday. more »

2 fans

Written by: LARRY KLEIN, MADELINE PEYROUX, WALTER BECKER

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Information
"You Can't Do Me" is a track by Madeleine Peyroux, a prolific singer known for her raspy, emotive voice often compared to Billie Holiday. Born in Athens, Georgia and raised in Southern California, Peyroux spent her teenage years busking around Europe before launching her recording career.
Song Details
“You Can't Do Me” was released as part of her fifth studio album titled "Bare Bones," which came out on 10th March 2009.
Album Success
"Bare Bones" was a commercial success, peaking at number 1 in the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. This marked Peyroux’s third time at the top of the Jazz Albums chart.
Song Contributors
The song was written by Madeleine Peyroux, Walter Becker of Steely Dan, and producer Larry Klein. This collaboration brought diverse ideas and styles to the song, making it unique.
Lyrical Interpretation
"You Can't Do Me" features lyrics that tell a story of independence, with overtones of defiance and resilience. The song's lyrics are interpretable as a commentary on a relationship, with Peyroux declaring that she won't be controlled or manipulated.
Musical Style
The track is strongly influenced by jazz and blues, genres that are representative of Peyroux’s overall musical style. It showcases her distinctively rich and husky vocal tone, with the accompaniment of intricate guitar work and relaxed, shuffling drum beats.
Reception
Critics praised Peyroux's performance in “You Can't Do Me,” acknowledging it as a standout track from the "Bare Bones" album. Her vocal delivery was highly appreciated, often being described as poignant and soulful.
Personal Insights
Unlike her previous works where she often performed covers of songs from artists that inspired her, "You Can't Do Me" is one of Peyroux's original songs, providing a more personal insight into her artistry.
Live Performances
"You Can't Do Me" has featured prominently in Peyroux's live sets over the years, showcasing her dynamic stage presence and ability to evoke emotion with her storytelling approach.
Trivia
A significant aspect of Peyroux's music, including "You Can't Do Me", is her practice of recording her material live with her band in the studio, capturing the essence and improvised nature of jazz.

Discuss the You Can't Do Me Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "You Can't Do Me Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/18595549/Madeleine+Peyroux/You+Can%27t+Do+Me>.

    Missing lyrics by Madeleine Peyroux?

    Know any other songs by Madeleine Peyroux? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    You Can't Do Me

    221.1K
    645     13

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which group sang the song "96 Tears"?
    A Question Mark and the Mysterians
    B Count Five
    C The Sonics
    D Paul Revere and the Raidersr9

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Madeleine Peyroux's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Madeleine Peyroux tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!