Though folks with good intentions
Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him

Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good

My poor heart is sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
And when the weekend's over
And Monday rolls around

I end up like I start out
Just crying my heart out
He don't love me like I love him
No, nobody could

I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Lord above me, make him love me
The way he should
I got it bad
And that ain't good

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Oscar Peterson Trio’s song “I Got it Bad and That Ain’t Good” speaks about a love that is unrequited, and the pain that comes with it. The first two lines - “Though folks with good intentions, tell me to save my tears” - implies that the singer has received advice to move on from her heartbreak, but she is unable to do so because she is so madly in love with him. The lyrics “Never treats me sweet and gentle, the way he should” and “He don't love me like I love him, no, nobody could” suggest that the object of her affection may be indifferent or even callous towards her.

The repeated refrain “I’ve got it bad, and that ain’t good” implies that the singer knows that her feelings are causing her pain, but she is unable to help herself. The final lines of the song, “Lord above me, make him love me the way he should” shows that the singer still has hope, even though the lyrics of the song detail the struggles that come with unrequited love.

Line by Line Meaning

Though folks with good intentions Tell me to save my tears Well I'm so mad about him I can't live without him
Even though well-meaning people advise me to move on, I am so deeply in love with him that I cannot imagine life without him.

Never treats me sweet and gentle The way he should I've got it bad And that ain't good
He is not affectionate and caring towards me, which is how he should treat someone he loves. This is causing me great emotional pain.

My poor heart is sentimental Not made of wood I've got it bad And that ain't good
I am a deeply emotional person and my heart feels everything acutely. This intense emotional state is not good for my well-being.

And when the weekend's over And Monday rolls around I end up like I start out Just crying my heart out
Even when I temporarily distract myself from my painful emotions, they come right back as soon as my routine starts again, causing me to cry uncontrollably.

He don't love me like I love him No, nobody could I've got it bad And that ain't good
I love him so much that it hurts, but he does not feel the same way. It is unlikely that anyone could love me as strongly as I love him, which is causing me great despair.

Lord above me, make him love me The way he should I got it bad And that ain't good
I pray that a higher power will make him love me the way he ought to, as his current treatment of me is taking a heavy emotional toll on my well-being.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, PAUL WEBSTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Comments from YouTube:

@callahanhanson5890

4y↑50

Possibly Kubrick's best compilation of music for a film. These are the little things that refine his films to the level of such higher greatness. He has deservedly been elevated as the greatest director/creator of all time.

@lewfarkyy

3y↑3

What's the film Kubrick used this music in?

@basherekisde4222

3y↑5

@lew eyes wide shut

@jimthompson606

7y↑23

Such elegant blues and the closing bars are gorgeous. An Oscar for Oscar!

@hernandocortez6351

7y↑18

Finally found my favorite piece from this movie! Wish I could play jazz.

@christys_emily

3y↑2

Thank you Siwon Choi for recommending this masterpiece

@ingriddickson7071

8y↑46

Trying so hard to shut it down but the music is just too good!!!!

@AStoicMaster

3y↑1

Such a lovely tune

@guillaumeguilbault3234

3y↑6

Now I just want to dance on it with a young woman who is starting to have a place in my heart

@FilipoLaresca

7y↑22

Shall We?

@camrnlve

3y↑3

1:22
@ this part in the movie I'm utterly in Bill's place...

@wtwrush

I’ve loved this song for years and years, but I only watched the movie somewhat recently. When this started playing at the beginning of that scene… perfect isn’t a strong enough word to describe it

@fabiancarrillosoria6821

5y↑10

Domino!

@rwkenyon

3y↑7

They say that when Oscar Peterson (1925-2007) was a child in Montreal [He was Canadian, guys.], he was so obsessed with the piano that his parents had to physically drag him kicking and screaming away from the piano so he could go to bed. That was an early sign of his genius.

@rrrahu1

6y↑45

Music from a higher realm. I'm an atheist but when I listen to this I wonder whether the divine really exists.

@williewilson7375

6y↑6

Rahul Wagh Only you can answer that question per your choice. But this track is in a whole different dimension. Peace with you Brother.

@kennethmills5470

5y↑2

look around you

@jimthompson606

5y↑3

Art is a direct link to that realm that the religious would call the divine. We can view it any way but our experience is unmistakable however our intellects may process it. This beautiful piece takes us there.

@antonioaaron459

3y↑1

This was a dope complimant

@markhirstwood4190

2y↑1

Music is the language of God, some have said...

1 More Replies...

@musicaddict1966vans

6y↑3

fantastic song

@glorytoyahweh9700

3y↑11

Art like this is such a rarity. Oscar had a gift from God’s hand, I can’t begin to imagine life without trees, bees, and songs like this. There’s emotion and soul in every second of this musical masterpiece

@wtwrush

Beautifully, beautifully said. That description is gonna stick with me.

@yourbestfriendjippydotcom

7y↑21

0:54 so beautiful

@wankenobi9302

6y↑1

jjj uuu my duuuude! lol wasn’t expecting to see you here. thas dope

@thomasjin1415

4y↑1

@wan Kenobi and he never responded....

@hernandocortez6351

My favorite part!

@dauddimasprasetyo4231

5y↑15

anyone with wider jazz knowledge please recommend me similar songs which give this melancholy, deep contemplation, sentimental vibes. as I ventured I only found so few similar songs, like mccoy tyner's when sunny gets blue,oscar peterson's i got it bad and that ain't good, chet baker's tenderly, and bill evans' my foolish heart. much appreciations and thanks for your suggestions, don't mind it'll fit me just drop it.

@brandonfrancois5980

Daud Dimas Prasetyo honestly Spotify has a great jazz selection. I highly suggest you check it out, it really helped me get into jazz. 👍🏽

@dauddimasprasetyo4231

@Brandon Francois I was looking in Spotify too through playlists suggested and yeah found some, hooked on Cocktail Jazz / Lounge Bar Jazz. Found this great singer too, his name is Ardhito Pramono if you still want some more, I suggest you to try listening to him. Thanks for your reply

@aimohankama6970

4y↑2

Google 50 jazz albums you should listen to. Start there. After listening to all those you should have a little bit of knowledge on artists and styles you like. :D

@tedbreckner

4y↑7

check out Chet Baker. No shortage of nostalgic tunes Like LIving for You.

@NI-zd5ko

4y↑4

Would recommend Bill Evans' "What is there to say?" and "Blue Green" (performed by Miles Davis), Miles Davis' "It never entered my mind" or his version of "Round midnight"

5 More Replies...

@NeilRaouf

aaahhhh makes life better than it already is!
love you OP

@brayanhernandezsosa8175

2y↑2

-hey dude, your phone is ring
-thank u donnie.

@tauceti8341

7y↑3

Golden

@alainmulleners8554

8y↑2

Top feeling

@williewilson7375

7y↑1

Oh yeal. . . .

@matthewmalone5635

3y↑6

I play blindfolded.

@alexspader

13w

You're putting me on.

@tadafemase4041

13w

Eyes wide shut?

@Relapsation

7y↑13

wun two

@ilovepenismusic

wun twoo?

@rafaeldj110

yep

@ld3622

Cory Michael Smith brought me here. Awesome actor helped me to discover an awesome song.

@wallacescumrag

4y↑2

2:07

@Oulaqi

4y↑3

Excuse my lack of music knowledge 😅😅 but this would fall in blues genera or jazz???

@williewilson7375

3y↑3

Yes Sir. This would fall under jazz.

@peepy268

5y↑3

0:54 wun two🌚

@lailah4254

peepy i actually did hear this from a lofi, song and i cant stop thinking about it? What is it?

@amandahernandez1948

4y↑1

@Lailah Give me a Hug - Wun Two

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