I Got It Bad
George Shearing; Nat King Cole 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 lyrics to Nat King Cole's song "I Got It Bad" convey a deep sense of longing, heartache, and emotional attachment to someone who may not reciprocate the same feelings. The singer acknowledges that although well-intentioned people advise them to save their tears and move on, they are completely consumed by their love for this person. The line "I can't live without him" reflects the singer's intense emotional dependency.

The lyrics also express disappointment in the way the person treats them, recognizing that they are not treated with the sweetness and gentleness they deserve. Despite this mistreatment, the singer confesses that their heart is sentimental and vulnerable, emphasizing their deep emotional investment in the relationship. The phrase "I've got it bad" signifies their intense infatuation, which may be both a source of joy and pain in their life.

The final lines of the song suggest that despite the shortcomings in their relationship, there are moments of intimacy and connection between the singer and their partner. The mention of "fish are jumpin'" and Friday as a significant day implies that they find solace and escape in these moments with their beloved. The reference to prayer and sin suggests a complex and possibly turbulent dynamic in the relationship.

Overall, "I Got It Bad" is a poignant portrayal of unrequited love, capturing both the depth of the singer's affection and the challenges they face in a relationship where their love is not fully reciprocated.

Line by Line Meaning

Though folks with good intentions
Even though people with good intentions try to advise me

Tell me to save my tears
To hold back my tears

Well I'm so mad about him
But I'm so deeply in love with him

I can't live without him
That I can't imagine my life without him

Never treats me sweet and gentle
He never treats me with kindness and tenderness

The way he should
The way he is expected to

I've got it bad
I am deeply affected by this love

And that ain't good
And it's not a positive thing

My poor heart is so sentimental
My heart is overly sensitive and emotional

Not made of wood
It's not unfeeling or stoic

I've got it so bad
I am so deeply affected by this love

And that ain't good
And it's not a desirable situation

But when the fish are jumpin'
But when everything is going well

And Friday rolls around
And it's the end of the week

My man an' I, we gin some
My man and I, we have some drinks

We pray some, and sin some
We engage in some prayer and some sinful activities

He don't love me like I love him
He doesn't love me to the same extent that I love him

The way he should
As he is expected to love

I've got it bad
I am deeply affected by this love

And that ain't good
And it's not a positive thing

Yes I've got it bad
Yes, I am deeply affected by this love

And that ain't good
And it's not a desirable situation

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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