Bad Luck
Dinah Washington & Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra Lyrics
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Used to the bitter end
I'm used to trial and troubles
'Cause I never had a friend--bad luck
Well, well, bad luck
Well, I'm used to trial and troubles
Bad luck don't bother me
I'm used to takin' beatings
Used to being alone
Used to be mistreated
With nobody to call my own--bad luck
Lord, lord, lord, lord, bad luck
Yes, I'm used to being mistreated
Bad luck don't bother me
I'm used to being broke
Used to being sad
I'm used to lousy people
And I'm used to being mad
A bad luck, yeah, yeah, yeah, bad luck
Oh, bad luck and lousy people
No, no, no, they don't bother me
I've been takin' for a fool
Been takin' for a square
Been used for a tool
And I've been told that I'm nowhere
Bad luck, oh, oh, bad luck, yeah, yeah, bad luck, bad luck
No, no, it don't bother me
Right now I'm just a cool little fool
And bad luck don't bother me
The lyrics of "Bad Luck" by Dinah Washington and Ernie Wilkins and His Orchestra express a sense of resignation and acceptance towards a life filled with hardship and adversity. The singer reveals that they have grown accustomed to experiencing misfortune, reaching a point where it no longer affects them greatly. The repetition of the phrase "bad luck" throughout the song emphasizes their familiarity with it.
The lyrics convey a deep sense of loneliness and isolation. The singer states that they are used to enduring trials and troubles because they have never had a friend. This suggests a lack of emotional support, someone to confide in or provide comfort during difficult times. The repetition of the phrase "bad luck don't bother me" indicates their ability to cope with these challenges on their own.
The following stanza further emphasizes their resilience and ability to endure hardship. The singer asserts that they are accustomed to taking beatings, being mistreated, and feeling alone. This implies a history of abuse and mistreatment, which has become a familiar part of their life. Despite these circumstances, they remain unaffected by bad luck, indicating a level of emotional detachment or resilience.
The final stanza reveals a sense of disillusionment and resignation. The singer describes being broke, sad, and surrounded by lousy people. This suggests a constant state of dissatisfaction and disappointment with their surroundings and the people they interact with. However, they declare that bad luck and lousy people no longer bother them. This may imply that they have accepted their current situation and are embracing a sense of detachment, considering themselves a "cool little fool" who remains unaffected by external factors.
Overall, the lyrics of "Bad Luck" express a sense of acceptance towards a life marked by misfortune, mistreatment, and isolation. The singer has become resilient and emotionally detached, finding a way to navigate and cope with their challenging circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm used to misfortune, baby
I have become accustomed to experiencing unfortunate events, my dear
Used to the bitter end
I am familiar with persisting until the very unpleasant conclusion
I'm used to trial and troubles
I am accustomed to facing difficulties and challenges
'Cause I never had a friend--bad luck
Because I have never had a companion or confidant, which is a result of my unfortunate circumstances
Well, well, bad luck
Indeed, I have encountered a series of misfortunes
Well, I'm used to trial and troubles
Well, I have grown accustomed to facing hardships and difficulties
Bad luck don't bother me
Adversity does not affect me negatively
I'm used to takin' beatings
I am accustomed to enduring physical or metaphorical abuse
Used to being alone
I am familiar with the state of being solitary
Used to be mistreated
Being subjected to ill-treatment was a common occurrence
With nobody to call my own--bad luck
Without anyone to claim as my own, which is a consequence of my unfortunate circumstances
Lord, lord, lord, lord, bad luck
My goodness, my goodness, my goodness, my goodness, the string of misfortunes I have encountered
Yes, I'm used to being mistreated
Indeed, I have become accustomed to being treated poorly
Bad luck don't bother me
Adversity does not affect me negatively
I'm used to being broke
I am familiar with the state of having no money
Used to being sad
Being in a state of sadness is a regular occurrence for me
I'm used to lousy people
I have grown accustomed to encountering unpleasant individuals
And I'm used to being mad
Feeling anger is something that I am familiar with
A bad luck, yeah, yeah, yeah, bad luck
An unfortunate turn of events, yes, yes, yes, misfortune
Oh, bad luck and lousy people
Oh, misfortune and unpleasant individuals
No, no, no, they don't bother me
No, they do not disturb or upset me
I've been takin' for a fool
I have frequently been deceived or made a fool of
Been takin' for a square
I have been consistently regarded as uncool or unhip
Been used for a tool
I have been exploited or manipulated for someone else's benefit
And I've been told that I'm nowhere
Additionally, I have been repeatedly informed that I have no importance or significance
Bad luck, oh, oh, bad luck, yeah, yeah, bad luck, bad luck
Misfortune, oh, oh, misfortune, yes, yes, misfortune, misfortune
No, no, it don't bother me
No, it does not trouble or distress me
Right now I'm just a cool little fool
At this moment, I am merely a composed and calm individual who is being made a fool of
And bad luck don't bother me
And misfortune does not affect me negatively
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JUANITA HILL, DINAH WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ethanhill9460
Wow...I love COLTRANE's cover of this song. This is now my second fav version. DW has a great voice. Meegan Thee Stallion represents a certain decay compared with DINAH WASHINGTON.