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

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Comments from YouTube:

@callahanhanson5890

5y↑59

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

4y↑3

What's the film Kubrick used this music in?

@basherekisde4222

3y↑6

@@lewfarkyy eyes wide shut

@hernandocortez6351

8y↑22

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

@marshwetland3808

41w

You could play jazz, but small chance it'd ever sound like Oscar.

@yourbestfriendjippydotcom

8y↑22

0:54 so beautiful

@wankenobi9302

7y↑1

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

@thomasjin1415

4y↑1

@@wankenobi9302 and he never responded....

@hernandocortez6351

My favorite part!

@jimthompson606

8y↑26

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

@christys_emily

3y↑4

Thank you Siwon Choi for recommending this masterpiece

@glorytoyahweh9700

4y↑13

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.

@AStoicMaster

3y↑3

Such a lovely tune

@FilipoLaresca

8y↑27

Shall We?

@musicaddict1966vans

6y↑4

fantastic song

@ingriddickson7071

9y↑49

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

@fabiancarrillosoria6821

6y↑12

Domino!

@rwkenyon

4y↑9

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.

@guillaumeguilbault3234

4y↑7

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

@brayanhernandezsosa8175

3y↑3

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

@tauceti8341

8y↑3

Golden

@rrrahu1

7y↑46

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

@kennethmills5470

6y↑3

look around you

@jimthompson606

6y↑5

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

4y↑2

This was a dope complimant

@markhirstwood4190

3y↑4

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

@OdinLimaye

He's just a really good pianist that practiced harder and longer than most people could imagine.

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@alainmulleners8554

8y↑2

Top feeling

@camrnlve

4y↑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

@dauddimasprasetyo4231

6y↑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

@@brandonfrancois5980 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

5y↑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

5y↑7

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

@NI-zd5ko

5y↑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"

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