Too Bad
Gilbert O'Sullivan Lyrics


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It's too bad you couldn't come
It's too bad you decided to stay away
(Too bad baby)
It's too bad you couldn't come
It's too bad I really thought you were okay
(Too bad baby)

You admit you were wrong
That you knew all along
Yet you still had the nerve
To go leading me on
It's too bad baby
But not especially for me

It's no good us going on
It's no good you trying to soft-soap me
(No good baby)
It's no good I'm telling you
It's no good all we ever do is disagree
(No good baby)

What am I supposed to do
How can I forgive you
If you won't even bother
To tell me the truth
It's no good baby
But not especially for good ol' me

I wanna say I've enjoyed
All the nights we've employed
And the pleasure it's given me
But I cannot except with the greatest respect
Anybody to termine me
Do I make myself perfectly clear

It's too bad you couldn't come
It's too bad you decided to stay away
(Too bad baby)
It's too bad you couldn't come
It's too bad I really thought you were okay
(Too bad baby)

Said you'd be there at nine
Well I got there on time
But you didn't show up
Because you changed your mind
It's too bad baby
But not especially for me

Too bad for you and not for me
(Too bad baby)
And not for me
(Too bad baby)
Too bad for you and not for me baby




Too bad baby
Too bad baby

Overall Meaning

The song "Too Bad" by Gilbert O'Sullivan talks about a failed relationship where one person couldn't make it but still leading the other person on. The opening lines of the song, "It's too bad you couldn't come, It's too bad you decided to stay away" demonstrates the disappointment and sadness Gilbert feels for the person who couldn't come. He thought the person was okay, but they let him down. The chorus repeats, "It's too bad baby," emphasizing Gilbert's frustration.


The second verse reveals that the person who didn't show up knew all along that they couldn't make it. Despite this, they chose to lead Gilbert on. Gilbert is fed up with this behavior, and the line "What am I supposed to do, How can I forgive you" shows his disbelief and disappointment. The third verse is Gilbert's attempt at showing respect and gratitude for the good times they had but reiterates that the current situation is just "too bad" for him to handle.


Overall, the song is about Gilbert's frustration with not being able to move forward due to the other person's actions. Despite the upbeat tempo, the lyrics convey a sense of sadness and disappointment.


Line by Line Meaning

It's too bad you couldn't come
I'm disappointed that you didn't come


It's too bad you decided to stay away
I don't understand why you chose not to come


(Too bad baby)
I am expressing my regret over the situation


It's too bad I really thought you were okay
I thought you were a reliable person


You admit you were wrong
You have acknowledged that you made a mistake


That you knew all along
You were aware of the issue from the beginning


Yet you still had the nerve
But you still had the audacity


To go leading me on
To pretend like everything was fine


It's too bad baby
I am disappointed


But not especially for me
However, I am not the one who suffers from this


It's no good us going on
It's not worth continuing this way


It's no good you trying to soft-soap me
You can't persuade me with flattery


(No good baby)
This is a bad situation


It's no good I'm telling you
I am acknowledging the reality of the situation


It's no good all we ever do is disagree
Our interactions are never positive


What am I supposed to do
I don't know how to handle this


How can I forgive you
I can't just forget what happened


If you won't even bother
Especially since you won't explain yourself


To tell me the truth
To be honest with me


It's no good baby
This situation is bad


But not especially for good ol' me
But I'm not personally affected


I wanna say I've enjoyed
I want to express my appreciation


All the nights we've employed
For the time we spent together


And the pleasure it's given me
And the happiness it brought me


But I cannot except with the greatest respect
But I cannot accept it if you won't be honest


Anybody to termine me
I won't allow myself to be mistreated


Do I make myself perfectly clear
Do you understand me completely?


Said you'd be there at nine
You promised to arrive at nine


Well I got there on time
And I arrived early


But you didn't show up
But you didn't come


Because you changed your mind
Because you changed your plans


Too bad for you and not for me
This doesn't affect me negatively, but it's unfortunate for you


(Too bad baby)
I am expressing my disappointment


And not for me
But I won't suffer from this


Too bad for you and not for me baby
This is unfortunate for you, but it doesn't concern me


Too bad baby
I am still disappointed




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GILBERT O'SULLIVAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@yurinosarev2574

Beautiful song!!!☘️👍

@flatop47

Thanks Again

@EdmundoASPinto

Great Hit of FM rádios in Brazil 1974

@flatop47

Thanks For Looking

@thomasnmarthinussen1175

B side to the highly underrated A Womans Place. Gilbert moving heavily into more R and B sounding songs without losing the distinct appeal of his originality.

@jamesthomson7129

Too bad this is not in the charts now.

@flatop47

+James Thomson ..Thanks For Looking

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