Do It the Hard Way
As their scheme to blackmail Joey and Vera grows more complicated, Ludlow convinces Gladys to persist. Rodgers’ simple, catchy melody made this tune a favorite for jazz musicians, including Chet Baker and André Previn.
COVERS & POP CULTURE
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“Do It the Hard Way” LYRICS
Fred Astaire once worked so hard
He often lost his breath,
And now he taps all other chaps to death.
Working hard did not retard
The young Cab Calloway,
Now hear him blow his vo-de-o-do today.
Do it the hard way
And it’s easy sailing.
Do it the hard way
And it’s hard to lose.
Only the soft way
Has a chance of failing;
You have to choose.
I took the hard way
When I tried to get you.
You took the soft way
When you said, “We’ll see.”
Darling, now I’ll let you
Do it the hard way
Now that you want me.
“Do It the Hard Way” by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
©1951 by Chappel & Co., Inc. Copyright Renewed.
Copyright Assigned to Williamson Music and WB Music Corp. for the extended renewal period of copyright in the USA.
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.