Words and music by Etting, Schwartz, and Ward (1931)
Life holds nothing good for me
Nothing good in store for me
It’s been revealed
My fate is sealed
All my life I’ll be just a plaything
No matter how hard I try or cry
I must play the part of a gay thing
Can’t save a dime
Or do as I know should
Just wasting my time
Not coming to any good
They all say the same
I’m good for nothing but love
Try to be sweet
But I’m bound to be molested
If I’m discreet
Nobody is interested
They make it plain
I’m Good For Nothing But Love
All eyes keep
And staring when I try being just a friend
How soon they forget me
Right after they pet me
And turn away to somebody they respect
While I suffer from neglect
Maybe I’m worse than others
Whose charm is mental
Gee it’s a curse
To make people sentimental
Am I to blame?
I’m good for nothing but love
Lips pressing me
Hands caressing me
Arms brushing me
Seems I’ll go mad
Men winking
I know what they’re thinking
I’m only good to be bad
Short ones, tall ones,
Fat ones, small ones
College high-flyers
Out of town buyers
I hate the liars
Wild parties and champagne
Broadway, that gay lane
You lured me,
Assured me that i’d reach the top
But I’m just a flop
And now it’s too late to stop
Maybe I’m worse than others
Whose charm is mental
Gee it’s a curse
To make people sentimental
Am I to blame?
I’m good for nothing but love
From the The Ziegfeld Follies of 1931
Recorded by Ruth Etting on July 15, 1931 in New York City for Columbia Records. Originally issued on Columbia 2505 D (Matrix 151688)
Charted at #7 by Ruth Etting in 1931
Flip side of the 78rpm was “I’m Falling in Love Again”
i love your songs.