The song was used on a television advertising campaign for KFC in the United Kingdom along with several other Northern Soul records including Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" and Marlena Shaw's "California Soul". A promotional film for the song featuring the group was shot at Tintern Abbey in Wales.
"Nothing but a Heartache" was one of the songs covered on the Detroit Cobras album Tied & True in 2007. It was also covered in 2007 by the UK dance act Freemasons. This version was 'mashed up' by Dutch dance DJ Pytski with "Umbrella" by Rihanna. Although this mashup was quite popular in clubs, it was not released commercially due to legal reasons. Southside Johnny covered this song on his album "Into The Harbour".
Nothing but a Heartache
Flirtations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Nothing but a heartache)
Nothing but a tear drop all of the way
(Nothing but a tear drop)
Loving a bad guy is such a sin, yeah
He's got me all won,
Can I get him?
(Nothing but a heartache)
Nothing but a tear drop all of the way
(Nothing but a tear drop)
It is one situation that I just can't win, yeah
He's got me all won,
Can I get him?
I got a lot of those heartaches
I got a lot of those tear drops
Heartaches, tear drops, all of the way
Nothing but a heartache every day!
Nothing but a heartache every day
(Nothing but a heartache)
Nothing but a tear drop all of the way
(Nothing but a tear drop)
Him loving me is just too slim, yeah
He's got me all won,
Can I get him?
I got a lot of those heartaches
I got a lot of those tear drops
Heartaches, tear drops, all of the way
Nothing but a heartache every day!
Nothing but a heartache every day
(Nothing but a heartache)
Nothing but a tear drop all of the way
(Nothing but a tear drop)
Him loving me is just too slim, yeah
He's got me all won,
Can I get him?
Nothing but a heartache every day
(Nothing but a heartache)
Nothing but a tear drop all of the way
(Nothing but a tear drop)
Heartache, ooo I get 'em, ev'ry ev'ry day
(Nothing but a heartache)
Tears pouring all down my face
(Nothing but a tear drop)
Ooh, the man has got me, so uptight!
(Nothing but a heartache)
Nothin' I do, seem to, turn out right
The Flirtations' song "Nothing but a Heartache" describes the pain and heartache of being in love with a bad guy. The opening lines state that the singer experiences nothing but heartache every day and nothing but tears all of the way. The lyrics suggest that loving a bad guy is a sin, but despite this, the singer cannot help falling for him. The repetition of the lines "He's got me all won, can I get him?" suggests the singer's desire to win the bad guy over, but it seems like an impossible task.
The song's chorus is the most repetitive, highlighting the recurrent experience of heartache and tear drops. The singer confesses that she has a lot of those heartaches and tear drops and that there is no way out of this situation. She admits that she cannot win this fight, and the bad guy has all of the power, leaving her feeling defeated and powerless.
In summary, "Nothing but a Heartache" is a heart-wrenching song that speaks to the deep pain of unrequited love. The singer's emotions are heightened by the repetition of the chorus, which emphasizes the seemingly endless cycle of sadness she finds herself in. Despite the pain, the singer's desire for her bad guy remains, and she is unable to break free from the agony of her unreciprocated love.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing but a heartache every day
Every day is filled with sadness and heartbreak
Repetition of the first line
Nothing but a tear drop all of the way
Constant tears and sorrow
Repetition of the second line
Loving a bad guy is such a sin, yeah
Being in love with a bad person is morally wrong
He's got me all won,
Can I get him?
Being completely under his spell makes it difficult to escape and move on
It is one situation that I just can't win, yeah
Feeling stuck and helpless in a losing situation
Repetition of the fourth line
I got a lot of those heartaches
Experiencing frequent heartbreak
I got a lot of those tear drops
Experiencing frequent tears
Heartaches, tear drops, all of the way
Continuing to experience sadness and tears
Nothing but a heartache every day!
Reiteration of the continual heartbreak
Repetition of the previous three lines
Repetition of the sixth and seventh lines
Heartache, ooo I get 'em, ev'ry ev'ry day
Continuously feeling heartache and sadness every single day
Tears pouring all down my face
Crying constantly and uncontrollably
Ooh, the man has got me, so uptight!
Being controlled and uptight due to the man's power over the artist
Nothin' I do, seem to, turn out right
Feeling helpless and unable to achieve success or happiness
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY WADDINGTON, TONY WADDINGTON, WAYNE BICKERTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bill kex
This song is a true gem. The instrumentation and arrangements totally blow me away. The stereo separation kicks butt too. The harmonies are fantastic. Too bad that it only hit 39. Classic stuff.
gbsk12
It was #3 on Billboard and #2 on Cash Box. Maybe yoou saw another rating service.
LaurenJayne Diamond
Finer than fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you friend.
Marcel Maker
I am so lucky to have a original copy of that single in my collection and lucky to hear the song on s radio station while in London on my first trip there, also had the pleasure of talking to the DJ on the air at time :-)
Analog synth player
Nothing today or recently could ever touch this, classy and musically there ranges, harmony all together make this one incredible song. Thank you Ladies
mike mckillip
One of the best, got lost. Voices words horns pianos excellent!!!!
tomshiba51
This song has a mysterious, other worldly sound to me. I love the deep bass beat, background brass and singing this offers. One of my favorites.
thewillismon
tomshiba51 Yeah I hear ya! For me it's the melody, one of the very best, and from an era where melody ruled!
mark williams
I agree tomshiba51. There are so many genius production elements in this song it will insanely "hook" you, and you won't know why. Hooks abound in this song; the lines, "He's got me oh why, can't I get him?" absolutely wreck me, I feel like Pavlov's salivating dog waiting for it. I'd love hear a remix with individual tracks discernible; but even then the "magic" (literally) in this cut could never be intellectually figured out. I'm a fan of 60's music, and I can't recall ever hearing this before - that in itself is pretty strange...
John C
Agree mysterious