It was in the mid-1960s that Strong became a Motown staff lyricist, teaming with producer Norman Whitfield. Together, Strong and Whitfield wrote some of the most successful and critically acclaimed songs ever to be released by Motown, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by both Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye, "War" by Edwin Starr, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth, and the long line of "psychedelic soul" records by The Temptations, including "Cloud Nine", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Psychedelic Shack", "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", among others. Strong received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for co-writing "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone".
After Motown moved its operations base from Detroit, Michigan to Los Angeles, California, Strong left the label and resumed his singing career, recording two albums for Capitol Records in the mid-1970s.
In the 1980s, Strong recorded "Rock It Easy" on an independent label, and wrote "You Can Depend on Me", which appeared on The Dells' The Second Time album (1988). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.
Strong released his album, Stronghold II, which he wrote and composed in collaboration with Eliza Neals in 2008, in digital format only.
In 2010, Strong appeared in "Misery", his first music video in his fifty years of recording music.
Misery
Barrett Strong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't find nobody to love for me
I've been hurt and I've been scorned
And had no lovin' since you've been gone
Misery, oh misery
You're killing me
I said I wouldn't fall in love no more
Now since I've lost everything I had
My heart's broken and I'm feeling so sad
Misery, oh this misery
It's killing me
Day and night I pace the floor
Hoping I'll be happy once more
My life's an up, and it's such a shame
I lost my girl, and have no one to blame
Now now, misery
Oh, this misery
It's killing me
I said a long long, long ago
I said I wouldn't fall in love no more
Now since I lost everything I had
My heart's broken and I'm feeling so sad
No no, misery
Oh, misery
You're killing me
Get away, get away, get away from me
Oh misery, you're killing me
No no get away, get away
Oh misery you're killing me
In "Misery" by Barrett Strong, the singer expresses the pain of being alone and unloved since losing his love. He sings that he has been hurt and scorned since their separation, and he has not found anyone to replace her. He is filled with misery and feels like it's killing him. The lyrics express a desperation to get away from the pain and to move on but feeling unable to.
Throughout, the singer repeats the refrain "Misery, oh misery / You're killing me." The repetition emphasizes the depth of his sadness and despair. He is stuck in a cycle of dwelling on his misery, feeling like it's inescapable. The song is a classic example of a soulful, blues-infused ballad that conveys deep emotion and heartbreak.
Overall, "Misery" is a poignant ode to the pain of heartbreak and unrequited love. Barrett Strong sings with raw emotion and conveys the overwhelming sense of sadness and loss that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm alone in misery
I am feeling lonely and sad.
I couldn't find nobody to love for me
I am struggling to find someone to love and care for me.
I've been hurt and I've been scorned
I have experienced pain and rejection from past relationships.
And had no lovin' since you've been gone
Since the person I loved left me, I haven't experienced any love or affection.
Misery, oh misery
A feeling of great unhappiness and sadness.
You're killing me
My pain and sadness is affecting me greatly.
Oh, mama no
An expression of despair and hopelessness.
I said I wouldn't fall in love no more
I promised myself I wouldn't let someone else hurt me again.
Now since I've lost everything I had
After losing the person I loved, I also lost other things in my life.
My heart's broken and I'm feeling so sad
I am emotionally devastated and it is hard for me to cope.
Misery, oh this misery
The overwhelming sadness and pain I am feeling.
Day and night I pace the floor
I am restless and anxious, unable to find peace.
Hoping I'll be happy once more
I am trying to remain optimistic and believe that I will find happiness again.
My life's an up, and it's such a shame
I used to have a good life, but now everything has changed.
I lost my girl, and have no one to blame
I lost the person I loved, but I cannot blame anyone else for it.
Now now, misery
A strong feeling of grief and despair that I am experiencing.
I said a long long, long ago
I made a promise to myself a long time ago.
No no, misery
The sadness and pain I am feeling.
You're killing me
My emotional state is affecting me negatively, and I am struggling to cope.
Get away, get away, get away from me
I wish to be free from my pain and sadness.
Oh misery, you're killing me
My sadness and pain is overwhelming and making it hard for me to function.
No no get away, get away
I want to escape from my emotional pain and find peace.
Oh misery you're killing me
An expression of how much pain and sadness I am experiencing.
Writer(s): Barrett Strong
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@smokinjz
I'm alone in misery
I couldn't find nobody to love for me
I've been hurt and I've been scorned
And had no lovin' since you've been gone
Misery, oh misery
You're killing me
Oh, mama no
I said I wouldn't fall in love no more
Now since I've lost everything I had
My heart's broken and I'm feeling so sad
Misery, oh this misery
It's killing me
Day and night I pace the floor
Hoping I'll be happy once more
My life's an up, and it's such a shame
I lost my girl, and have no one to blame
Now now, misery
Oh, this misery
It's killing me
I said a long long, long ago
I said I wouldn't fall in love no more
Now since I lost everything I had
My heart's broken and I'm feeling so sad
No no, misery
Oh, misery
You're killing me
Get away, get away, get away from me
Oh misery, you're killing me
No no get away, get away
Oh misery you're killing me
@billyoshea4667
One of the Beatles' favourites in their young days,
@aboobuka
Godfather of Harlem brought me here. This song is amazing
@Francosoul
Thanks for you appréciation Edwin :)
@anitraroberts7382
Indeed
@jadaaa.v9753
Just came here for the same reason!! I just started the series
@jakemoseley1811
Me too. I just watched that episode and searched my way here.
@earljamesiii4364
Likewise..
@markm734
I can hear a touch of "Far From Any Road" in this.
@luvBHIC
This is such a gorgeous, gorgeous song.
@ubuyile1010
When I heard it again on Godfather Of Harlem I just could not resist. Stunning jam