You're No Good
C. Young Lyrics


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You know that you're no good
You know that you're no good
You know that you're no good
You know that you're no good

Yet another morning
You're not there
To show some love and show that you care
(You care)
It's wonder we can't work it out
Do you know, do you know?
Naw, you still have doubts
Make no exception for you this time
When I try, when I try, try to make you mine
Loud whispers all over town
(All over town)
Ain't no secret about how you get down

And you know that you're no good for me
No more lies as far as I can see
This false compatibility
Diminish my sensibility
You're no good

You know that you're no good
(You're no good)
You know that you're no good
(You're no good)
You know that you're good
(Naw, no)
You know that you're no good

You tried to play me for the last time
You tried to break me got to be out of your mind
(Out your mind)
It's wonder we can't work it out
Do you know, do you know?
No, you still have doubts
Make no exception for you this time
When I try, when I try, try to make you mine
Loud whispers all over town
Ain't no secret about how you get down

And you know that you're no good for me
No more lies as far as I can see
This false compatibility
Diminish my sensibility
You're no good

You know that you're no good
(You, you know, you, you know)
You know that you're no good
(You're no good)
You know that you're no good
(No, no, no, no, no, no good, no, no good, no, no good)
You know that you're no good




(That you're no good)
You're no good, no, no, no

Overall Meaning

In C. Young's song "You're No Good", the singer is addressing a problematic relationship with someone who is aware that they are not a good fit for the singer, yet continues to stay in the situation. The singer is expressing frustration with this person's behavior, noting that they have tried to make it work but to no avail. The line "Loud whispers all over town / Ain't no secret about how you get down" implies that the person's actions and reputation have been the subject of gossip and rumors. Despite this, the person still doubts the relationship and the singer has decided that enough is enough - this person is no good for them.


The repetition of the phrase "You know that you're no good" is used to reinforce both the singer's own resolve and the other person's awareness of the situation. The singer recognizes that this person is not capable of giving them the love and care they deserve and is ready to move on. The final line "You're no good, no, no, no" drives this point home, emphasizing that this is not a minor issue and that the singer will not tolerate it any longer.


Line by Line Meaning

You know that you're no good
The singer is certain that the subject is not a good person.


You know that you're no good
Reiteration of the previous line, emphasizing the singer's certainty.


You know that you're no good
Same as the previous two lines, once again emphasizing the singer's certainty.


You know that you're no good
Final repetition of the line, as if driving the point home.


Yet another morning
The artist is describing a morning like countless others before it.


You're not there
The subject is absent.


To show some love and show that you care
The singer longs for affection and care from the subject.


(You care)
Parenthetical affirmation of the previous line, indicating that the artist believes the subject is capable of caring.


It's wonder we can't work it out
The artist expresses bewilderment at their inability to resolve things with the subject.


Do you know, do you know?
The artist questions whether the subject understands the situation.


Naw, you still have doubts
The singer believes that the subject is still uncertain despite multiple attempts at reconciliation.


Make no exception for you this time
The artist has decided not to make allowances for the subject's behavior anymore.


When I try, when I try, try to make you mine
The singer has tried to make the relationship work multiple times but failed.


Loud whispers all over town
There are rumors about the subject's unfaithfulness.


(All over town)
Parenthetical reiteration of the previous line for emphasis.


Ain't no secret about how you get down
The artist asserts that the subject's behavior is no secret and is known to others.


And you know that you're no good for me
Reiteration of the song's central message.


No more lies as far as I can see
The singer has grown tired of the subject's lies.


This false compatibility
The singer sees the relationship as a facade that doesn't truly work.


Diminish my sensibility
The situation is affecting the artist's common sense and judgment.


You're no good
Final assertion of the song's central message.


(You, you know, you, you know)
Emphasizing the subject's awareness of their own flaws.


(No, no, no, no, no, no good, no, no good, no, no good)
Reiteration of the final message, as if for emphasis.


(That you're no good)
Reiteration of the song's central message.


You're no good, no, no, no
Final reiteration of the song's central message, with added emphasis.




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Benjamin Butts, Bruce Cummings

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

troponick

This is absolutely brilliant! Amazing for 1968. I like the way that when the song starts it sounds perfectly normal but then gets increasingly disjointed, treated and deconstructed into a real head-trip. The influence of the likes of Terry Reilly and Steve Reich cannot be understated. True visionaries. Bands such as Severed Heads and Cabaret Voltaire were doing the same sort of tape manipulations in the late 70s and 80s. God knows what the hippies would have made of this! Could this be one of the first remixes as we know them today?

bunnyhead71

Easily the most underrated performer, arranger & producer on the planet. He barely gets credit for things and ideas that he has come up with. So ahead of his time. This one is from 1968. Its still ahead of its time now.

Kumat Mebro

Open this in 10 tabs at once and achieve pure nirvana 

tom cohen-cohen

this is the most Terry Riley-ish thing to do. actually tried it... great results!

searchanddestroy69

I love it

Jason Gairn

+Kumat Mebro Indeed trying this with a bunch of stuff is great. I did it last week with Voodoo Chile x 15 tabs with minimal delay.

risvegliato

+Kumat Mebro absolutely what he was doing. a lot easier now we dont have to spend hours with a razor blade splicing tapes.

Mark Midmark

I started one at 7 minutes then opened 5 other tabs in 5 second splits from the start. Shit is getting weird.

3 More Replies...

Simon Powell

Amazing. The opening beats Throbbing Gristle to the evil synth sound by nearly a decade

Adrian Johnson

This is absolutely mind-blowingly awesome!

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