I Got It Bad
Duke Ellington; Louis Armstrong Lyrics


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Never treat me sweet and gentle
The way she should
'Cause I got it bad, and that ain't good

My poor heart is so sentimental
And it's not made of wood
Now, I got it bad and that ain't good
When the weekend's over
And Monday rolls around
I end up like start out
Just crying my heart out

She don't love me like I love her
Nobody could
I got it bad and that ain't good

Now when the weekend's over
Monday rolls around
I end up like I start out
Just crying

Oh, she don't love me like I love her




Nobody could
I got it bad and it sure is good

Overall Meaning

"I Got It Bad" is a song by Duke Ellington and it was made famous by Louis Armstrong. The song is a lament about unrequited love. The singer is in love with a woman who doesn't treat him the way he deserves to be treated. He is deeply in love with her and is unable to shake his feelings. He describes his heart as "sentimental" and "not made of wood", suggesting that he is very emotionally invested in the relationship. When the weekend is over and Monday rolls around, he is left crying his heart out because he knows that the woman does not love him the way he loves her.


The lyrics of the song are very powerful and emotional, and they are complemented by the music. The melody of the song is slow and melancholy, which reflects the mood of the lyrics. The use of brass instruments adds to the emotional impact of the song, and the chorus is particularly effective because it reinforces the message of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Never treat me sweet and gentle
She doesn't treat me with the kindness and tenderness that I crave


The way she should
The way that I feel she ought to treat me


'Cause I got it bad, and that ain't good
Because my love for her is so strong and unrequited and it's causing me great pain


My poor heart is so sentimental
My heart is very emotional and easily moved


And it's not made of wood
It's not unfeeling or hard-hearted


When the weekend's over
After our time together has come to an end


And Monday rolls around
When the work week begins anew


I end up like start out
I'm left feeling as unhappy as when I began


Just crying my heart out
I spend my time crying and feeling heartbroken


She don't love me like I love her
She doesn't feel for me the same way that I feel for her


Nobody could
No one could experience the level of intensity and depth of feeling that I have for her


I got it bad and that ain't good
My strong and unrequited love is causing me great pain and sorrow


Now when the weekend's over
When our time together has ended


Monday rolls around
The work week begins again


I end up like I start out
I'm left feeling just as unhappy as when I started our time together


Just crying
I spend my time crying and feeling very sad


Oh, she don't love me like I love her
She doesn't feel the same deep affection that I have for her


Nobody could
No one could love her as intensely and passionately as I do


I got it bad and it sure is good
Even though it causes me pain, my love for her is so intense and fulfilling that it's worth it




Lyrics © GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC , Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWYN STEPHEN COLLINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Fatima M

My first time hearing this version was in my dream when i was lil girl,,maybe my parents played it when i was still in the womb,, despite of the dream,, im glad i found this masterpiece .. thanks for uploading

Pepito Tartranas

there is no old or new music, only good or bad. This one is veeery good

daniel menberu

wow, it is really a great combination from both legends

Will Morris

Lyrics are pure gold. "She don't love love me like I love her..."

SELMER B.Action

I have no words to describe this, except two Genius playing together...

John Stephens

"Never treat me sweet and gentle….." classic opening for anyone who's been on that side of a relationship….

mary monroe

This song hits hard 💔❤😭❤

Gary Stone

Two American treasures.

Frank Ulino

Music, the best form of time travel.

Fredy Wraamann

Simplle and pure beauty.

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