I WANT TO BE BAD
From the Broadway Musical "Follow Thru" (1929)
(Music: Ray Henderson / Lyrics: Lew Brown & Buddy De Sylva)

Zelma O'Neal (Stage Production) - 1929
Zelma O'Neal (with Al Goodman & His Orch.) - 1929 
Ben Bernie & His Hotel Roosevelt Orch. (vocal: Zelma O'Neal) - 1929
Golen Gate Orch. (vocal: 'Happy'Jack Parker) - 1929
Helen Kane - 1929
Annette Hanshaw - 1929
Ermine Calloway - 1929
Nat Shilkret & The Victor Orch. (vocal: Belle Mann) - 1929
Jack Hylton & His Orch. (vocal: Sam Browne) - 1929
Ambrose & His Orch. (vocal: Les Allen) - 1929
Ray Ventura & His Collegians (vocal: Edward S. Foy) - 1929
Harry Bidgood's Manhattan Melodymakers (vocal: John Thorne) - 1929
Jack Leon's Symphonic Band - 1929
Jewel Dance Orch. - 1929
Zelma O'Neal (feat. in the film "Follow Thru") - 1930
Teresa Brewer - 1974
Daryl Sherman - 1998





as rec by Helen Kane w Leonard Joy & his Band   
Jan 30th 1929 New York

To be or not to be?
That is not the question,
'Cause I decided long ago to be!
With me it's what to be,
Now making 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,
Then the answer is, "Yes, I'd wanna be bad!".

If it's naughty to vamp the men,
Sleep each morning till after ten,
Let a lady confess, "Yes, I wanna be bad!".

This thing of being a good little goody is all very well,
What can you do when you're loaded with plenty of health and vigour?

When you're learning what lips are for
And it's naughty to ask for more,
Let a lady confess, "I'd wanna be bad!".

Oh, if it's naughty to rouge your lips,
Shake your shoulders and shake your hips,
Then the answer is, "I wanna be bad!", boop-oop-a-doo!

And if it's naughty to vamp the men,
Sleep each morning till after ten,
Then the answer is, "Yes, I wanna be bad!".

Nobody cares just how blue and how lonesome I am,
If I have troubles and laugh like I don't give a damn, you'll credot!

If it's wrong to let someone take
Just a little kiss by mistake,
Let a lady confess, "I wanna be ba-a-ada-dada-da-da bad!".


(Contributed by Peter Akers - April 2009)


*********************


As recorded by ANNETTE HANSHAW, 14th March 1929, New York:


To be or not to be, that is not the question
'Cause I decided long ago to be
With me it's what to be, make me some suggestions
Good or bad, which is the best for me

When you're after fun and laughter, this aggravates you
Some reformer said a warmer climate awaits you

If it's naughty to rouge your lips
Shake your shoulders and twist your hips
Let a lady confess, I wanna be bad

And if it's naughty to vamp the men
Sleep each morning till after ten,
Then the answer is yes, I wanna be bad

This thing of being a good little goody is all very well
But what can you do if you're loaded with plenty of health and vigour

When you're learning what lips are for
If it's naughty to ask for more
Well, let a lady confess, I wanna be bad

Bab-dada-dada-dud-dud-dada
(Instrumental Break)
Bub-bub-budda-dad-doodle-oodle-doo

If it's naughty to rouge your lips
Shake your shoulders and twist your hips
Let a lady confess, wanna be bad, bad girl, I do

And if it's naughty to vamp the men,
Sleep each morning till after ten,
Then the answer is, yes, I'm gonna be a bad, bad girl

While all around me thy tell me how terribly naughty I am, 
bah-bah-bee-doo
Nobody's caring and nobody's giving a damn, so credit

If it's wrong to let someone take
Just a little kiss by mistake
Well, let a lady confess, I wanna be bad


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - January 2018)