Shepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 24th, 1937, but raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he studied piano, clarinet and alto saxophone before focusing on tenor saxophone (he occasionally plays soprano saxophone). He is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late sixties which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by people of African descent. He is also known for his 60's work with the New York Contemporary Five with co-founder Don Cherry and Shepp's collaborations with his "New Thing" contemporaries, most notably Cecil Taylor and John Coltrane, but also Roswell Rudd and Bobby Hutcherson.
Considered a jazz great, saxophonist Archie Shepp recorded albums like Poem For Malcolm and Live in Antibes for labels like Verve and Impulse. He was active in academia at SUNY Buffalo as a professor of African American Studies and the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a professor of music. He played with other notable musical radicals including Frank Zappa and provided the musical score to the movie Gotta Dance and is featured on the 1984 Wilebski's Blues Saloon Festival DVD.
I Got It Bad
Archie Shepp Lyrics
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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
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
The opening lines of Archie Shepp's rendition of "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" introduces the audience to the singer's emotions regarding a significant other. Despite the words of well-meaning individuals who advise her to "save [her] tears," she cannot ignore the fact that she is completely infatuated with the man in question. He may not always treat her well, but she still feels completely and utterly devoted to him.
The subsequent verses delve into the singer's struggles with this relationship. She acknowledges that their interactions may not always be kind or gentle, but her heart is simply too sentimental to not be affected by them. The phrase "I've got it bad, and that ain't good" is repeated throughout, emphasizing the singer's internal turmoil and illustrating that this love is both overwhelming and painful.
The bridge, which refers to the practice of gambling and praying, showcases the complexity of their relationship. Despite the various activities they engage in together, the singer remains aware that their love is not as equal as it should be. She continues to experience this one-sided devotion, which likely causes a great deal of pain.
Overall, "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" is a poignant portrayal of the struggles that often come with being entirely devoted to someone who may not reciprocate those emotions. The song captures the internal turmoil of such a situation and is made even more powerful by the bluesy, soulful quality of Shepp's music.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions Tell me to save my tears
Even though people tell me to be strong and not cry, I can't help feeling sad.
Well I'm so mad about him I can't live without him
Despite his mistreatment, I'm so deeply in love with him that I can't imagine my life without him.
Never treats me sweet and gentle The way he should I've got it bad And that ain't good
Even though my partner doesn't treat me well, I'm still deeply in love with him to the point where it's hurting me emotionally.
My poor heart is so sentimental Not made of wood I've got it so bad And that ain't good
I'm a vulnerable person with strong emotions - I feel things deeply and love intensely. Unfortunately, this causes me a lot of pain because I can't help loving someone who doesn't treat me well.
But when the fish are jumpin' And Friday rolls around My man an' I, we gin some We pray some, and sin some
Sometimes, when we're doing things we enjoy, like fishing, drinking or praying, my partner pays attention to me and we have good moments together, but they're always short-lived.
He don't love me like I love him The way he should I've got it bad And that ain't good
My partner doesn't feel the same level of love towards me as I do to him, and that hurts me deeply. I know I deserve better, but I can't help the way I feel.
Yes I've got it bad And that ain't good
In conclusion, I'm aware that my situation is not healthy for me, but I can't help feeling so deeply in love with someone who mistreats me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind