A long time ago, in 1965 or so
I met a man with a face that was a real disgrace
Pictures he took and put them in a little book
So ambitious was he, he even took a picture of me

Then one day he opened up a studio (start recording now)
Tried to make it pay, making hit records or no
And he asked me along write him a little song
I get the studio free, just sign this paper for me

You got to take good care of business, my friend
Take good care of yourself
You got to take good care of business, my friend
Otherwise you'll end up on the shelf

Oh yeah

Later on, after I wrote that song
Even heard it played up on Radio One (Radio One)
Manager said : 'Money all gone away'
You spent it, you see, up and down the country

You got to take good care of business, my friend
Take good care of yourself
You got to take good care of business, my friend
Otherwise you'll end up on the shelf
Well, I started to say, I mean we've got to play
What else can I do ? We're not clever like you
Then said he : 'You know how I'm fair’
You can sign to the company for another ten years

You got to take good care of business, my friend
Take good care of yourself
You got to take good care of business, my boys
Otherwise you'll end up on the shelf