This little tune is about caring. Now that she loves her man, she wants him to care of himself for her. It also has a unique change for her as well as it is one of the few songs where she doesn't say "That's All! at the end. It's as if she is proclaiming to the band, hey, look at my man, "he's got life insurance now!" He cares about me and he's got life insurance! She maybe a 20's girl but she's practical! Just because she is in love, a little life insurance wouldn't be bad to take care of her just in case. I wonder if that practical part of Annette made her ad lib that part right at the end. Again, this was a song that Ruth Etting made one of her signature tunes and did it for the high priced Columbia label. Annette may have wanted to break out in the ad lib "speech-talk" near the end to make it a signature tune for her. She does it in her playful, loving way.

Button Up Your Overcoat

Listen Big Boy,
Now that I've got you made
Goodness but I'm afraid
Something's gonna happen to you
Listen Big Boy,
You've got me hooked and how
I would die if I would loose you now
Button up you overcoat
when the wind is free
Take good care of yourself
you belong to me
Eat an apple every day
Get to bed by 3
Take good care of yourself
you belong to me
Be careful crossing streets
Don't eat meat
Oh
Cut out sweets
Oh,
You'll get a pain and ruin
your tum-tum
Keep away from bootleg
hooche
when you are on a spree
Take good care of yourself
you belong to me
Button up you overcoat
when the wind is Free
Take good care of yourself
you belong to me
Now when you stop the traffic cop
better use diplomacy
Take good care of yourself
you belong to me
Stay clear of frozen ponds
stocks and bonds
oh,
peroxide blonds
Oh,
You get a pain
and ruin your bankroll
Take the spoon out of your cup
when you are drinking tea
Better Take very good care of yourself
you belong to me
He's got life insurance now!