I Got It Bad
Charioteers Lyrics


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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 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

Overall Meaning

The Charioteers' song, "I Got It Bad," tells the story of a woman who is deeply in love with a man who doesn't treat her the way she deserves. The lyrics reveal the woman's deeply sentimental heart, which is not made of wood and is therefore easily hurt. Despite being told by others to save her tears, she cannot help but feel so mad about the man that she simply cannot live without him.


As the song progresses, the woman continues to express her feelings of love and desire for the man, even though she knows that he does not treat her with the tender love and care that she so desires. Instead, she and the man spend their time together, engaging in both good and bad behaviors - praying, sinning, and enjoying each other's company. Ultimately, however, the woman knows that the man does not love her the way she loves him, leaving her feeling bad and hopeless.


Overall, "I Got It Bad" is a poignant and emotionally-charged song that speaks to the powerful, often-troubled nature of love. Through its evocative lyrics, the song reminds us that love can be both wonderful and painful, and that no matter how hard we try, we cannot always control our emotions.


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 people advise me to stop crying over my love for him, my emotions for him are so strong that I cannot fathom the thought of living without him


Never treats me sweet and gentle The way he should I've got it bad And that ain't good
He does not treat me with the love and care that I deserve, and it has made me fall for him even harder, and that is not good for me


My poor heart is so sentimental Not made of wood I've got it so bad And that ain't good
I am an emotional person with a sensitive heart, and it has made me fall deeply in love with him, which is not good because he does not reciprocate the feeling


But when the fish are jumpin' And Friday rolls around My man an' I, we gin some We pray some, and sin some
But on certain days when we are restless, we drink, we pray, and we indulge in activities that we both enjoy and forget about the love problems we face


He don't love me like I love him The way he should I've got it bad And that ain't good
He does not have the same deep love for me as I do for him, and it has made me fall victim to this bad love that I have for him


Yes I've got it bad And that ain't good
Unfortunately, my intense love for him is not good for my own mental and emotional wellbeing, and it is something that I need to address and overcome




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, PAUL WEBSTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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