"If you should take the word of others you've heard, I haven't a chance."
 |
| Cover of Ella Fitzgerald |
Wikipedia Says
"Do Nothing till You Hear from Me" (also written
as "Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me") is a song with music by Duke
Ellington and lyrics by Bob Russell. It originated as a 1940 instrumental
("Concerto for Cootie") that was designed to highlight the playing of
Ellington's lead trumpeter, Cootie Williams. Russell's words were added later.
In 1944, Ellington's own recording of the song, with featured vocals by Al
Hibbler, was a number one hit R&B chart for eight non-consecutive weeks
and number six on the pop chart.
"Do Nothing till You Hear from Me" has since been
performed by many famous vocalists, including Mose Allison, Louis Armstrong,
Tony Bennett, Mary J. Blige, Suzy Bogguss, Nat King Cole, Phil Collins, Harry
Connick, Jr., Sammy Davis, Jr. (on the 1965 album "When the Feeling Hits
You!"), Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Dr. John, Gladys
Knight, Diana Krall, Anita O'Day, Patti Page, Robert Palmer, Nina Simone, Andy
Williams, Robbie Williams, Fiona Apple, and Al Hirt.
 |
| Cover of Duke Ellington |
Chords from www.allcountrytabs.com
E7
Am7
AM7
E7
Do nothin'
till you hear from me.
Em7 A7
DM7 D6
Pay no
attention to what's said,
Dm7 G9
AM7
F#7
Why people
tear the seams of anyone's dream
B7 E6 A6 D6 Fdim E9
Is o-ver my
head.
E7
Am7
AM7
E7
Do nothin'
till you hear from me.
Em7
A7
DM7
D6
At least
consider our romance;
Dm7
G9
AM7
F#7
If you should
take the word of others you've heard
B7
E6 A6 D6 Fdim E9
I haven't a
chance.
Bridge:
Gm7
C7
FM7 Gm7 C7
True I've been seen with someone new,
Gm7 C7 FM7 F7
But does that mean that I'm untrue?
Dm7 AM7 C#m7-5 F#7
When we're apart the words in my hear
Bm7-5 B7
E7 B7 E7
Reveal how I feel about you.
E7
Am7
AM7
E7
Some kiss may
cloud my memory,
Em7 A7
DM7 D6
And other arms
may hold a thrill.
Dm7
G9
AM7 F#7
But please do
nothin' till you hear it from me
B7
E6 A6 D6 A6 B7 A6
And you never
will
Original Key of G with A-A-B-A Form
G Gmaj7 G7
Do nothin' till you hear from me.
Cmaj7
Pay no attention to what's said,
Cm G Am7
Why people tear the seams of anyone's dream
D9 G G#dim
Is o-ver my head.
Am7 D9 G Gmaj7
Do nothin' till you hear from me.
G7 Cmaj7
At least consider our romance;
Cm G Am7 D9
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance.
Bridge:
Cm Eb Ebmaj7 Eb Ebmaj7
True I've been seen with someone new,
Cm Eb Ebmaj7 Eb
But does that mean that I'm untrue?
Eb9 Am7 D7 G E9
When we're apart the words in my heart
Gm A7 D7
Reveal how I feel about you.
Some kiss may cloud my memory,
G7 Cmaj7
And other arms may hold a thrill.
Cm G Am7
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
D9 G C Cm G
And you never will
Here's how I play the piano slash chords to the song. Of course, not in any order... Just giving you an idea of the inversions that I use.
G = G/DGB
G#dim = G#/BDF
Cmaj7 = C/EB
Cm = CGEb/C
Eb = Eb/EbGBb
E9 = E/G#DF#
Eb9 = Eb/GDbG
Am7 = A/EGD
Bb7 = Bb/AbD
Here's how I play the piano slash chords to the song. Of course, not in any order... Just giving you an idea of the inversions that I use.
G = G/DGB
G#dim = G#/BDF
Cmaj7 = C/EB
Cm = CGEb/C
Eb = Eb/EbGBb
E9 = E/G#DF#
Eb9 = Eb/GDbG
Am7 = A/EGD
Bb7 = Bb/AbD
Additional Resources:
Duke Ellington in Person: An Intimate Memoir (A Da Capo paperback)
The Tin Pan Alley Song Encyclopedia
Beyond Category: The Life And Genius Of Duke Ellington
You may be interested in an audio resource, Finding the key to any song
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