Simon's career began with a short-lived music group with her sister Lucy as The Simon Sisters. They had a minor hit in 1964 called "Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod", and made three albums together before Lucy left to get married and start a family. Later, Carly Simon collaborated with eclectic New York rockers Elephant's Memory for about six months. She also appeared in the 1971 Milos Forman movie Taking Off, playing an auditioning singer, and sang "Long Term Physical Effects", which was included in Taking Off, the 1971 soundtrack for the movie.
Simon's major breakthrough was 1972's No Secrets. The album spawned several successful singles, including Simon's biggest hit, "You're So Vain". Simon continued to produce successful albums through the 1970s and early 1980s, moving into film scores after she was dropped by her record label in 1985. She performed the main title song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me - "Nobody Does It Better" which was a worldwide hit in 1977.
I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
In Carly Simon's song I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good, the singer is deeply in love with someone who doesn't love them back with the same intensity. Despite receiving advice to save their tears, the singer cannot help feeling distraught over the person they love. The person never treats them with the tenderness they deserve, causing the singer to feel like they have it bad.
The singer also feels the weight of Monday approaching when the joy of the weekend with the object of their affection comes to an end. Monday brings back the heartache and loneliness, leaving the singer to cry their heart out without the love they so deeply desire. The singer acknowledges that nobody could love the person as much as they do but still feels the pain of unrequited love.
The last lines of the song signify a plea to a higher power to make the person they love feel the same way they do. The singer prays for the person to love them the way they deserve, recognizing their love is unreturned and unsatisfied. Overall, the song embodies the yearning for someone who doesn't reciprocate the same feelings, causing heartache and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions
Despite receiving advice from well-meaning people
Tell me to save my tears
Advising me to avoid crying or being emotional
Well I'm so mad about him
However, I am deeply infatuated with him
I can't live without him
Feeling like my life isn't complete without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
Unfortunately, he doesn't treat me with tenderness
The way he should
As I feel he ought to, as my partner
I've got it bad
I'm hopelessly in love
And that ain't good
Though it doesn't necessarily make for a happy situation
And when the weekend's over
When the free, enjoyable part of the week is finished
And Monday rolls around
Starting a new work week
I end up like I start out
I find myself back where I began
Just crying my heart out
In a state of overwhelming sadness and despair
He don't love me like I love him
He doesn't return my strong feelings of romantic love
No, nobody could
It seems like no one could love him as much as I do
Lord above me, make him love me
Asking for divine intervention to make him reciprocate my feelings
The way he should
As I believe he ought to, for the sake of our relationship
I got it bad
I am consumed by my love for him
And that ain't good
Though I cannot help how I feel
Contributed by Micah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CrispyCritter Robinson
Carly Simon's "Torch" album, from which this comes, is timeless. I bought it in vinyl, replaced it with cassette, bought the CD, and ripped it to mp3.
Daniel Brosky
This album is one of my all-time favorites. A gal always ahead of her time with her songs! Too bad folks missed this great talent on this entire album.
Antonio Carlos Novelli
Ela canata demais! Canta com alma, tem interpretação impecável! Além de bonita, charmosa e carismática! Eu diria, uma verdadeira Sinatra de saias...
Gilles Vaillancourt
Carly Simon, with her Torch album, did a great tribute to great Jazz songs and great composers (Duke Ellington, Green and Hyman, etc.)
Michael Haydn
Beautiful notes!
Kathleen Cunningham
It's a shame that PBS has not released this wonderful music special, "Ellington" The Music Lives On" on DVD. I used to have a VHS tape, but a friend taped over it. If you have a copy of the entire program, I'd pay for a copy on DVD. The fabulous Ben Harney singing "Something To Live For," Andre DeShields "Queenie Pie," Treat Williams "Satin Doll," & Kathleen Battle "Creole Love Call" are nonpareil.
Joe B
Joe b beautiful beautiful voice love ❤️ love 💕 music 🎵
Николай Черных
Мне нужна песня в исполнении Муслима Магомаева хали- гали
paul michael Alves
originally written by Billy Strayhorn
Catherine S. Todd
Terrific... Is Ms. Simon the songwriter too? If not, who?