[Verse 1]
Ah, the buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now listen, Jack..."

[Chorus]
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Oh, cool down, papa, don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin'
What's the use of jivin'?
Straighten up and fly right
Yeah, cool down, papa, don't you blow your top

[Bridge]
Well, the buzzard told the monkey, "You are chokin' me
Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
"Your story's so touching, but it sounds like a lie"

[Chorus]
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Oh, cool down, papa, baby, cool down
[Bridge]
Well, the buzzard told the monkey, "You are chokin' me
Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
"Your story's so touching, but it sounds like a lie"

[Chorus]
Ooh, straighten up and fly right
Straighten up, straighten up, straighten up, fly right
Ah, cool down, papa, cool down
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Oh, cool down, papa, don't you blow your top

[Outro]
And fly right