Charts (1975)
Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 - # 15
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles - # 4
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play - #1
Bad Luck
HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUENOTES Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woo
Well, well
Look down-hearted and confused
Because lately you've been startin' to lose
Losin' out on everything you might try to do
Bad luck's there, it's got a hold on you
Losing money, `bout to lose your home
Done lost your woman and everything you own
Law of averages plainly states that chances go around
But if you want know the truth about it and tell you what's pullin' you down, yeah
(You got) Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (Yes, uh)
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (You got)
Bad luck, bad luck (Bad)
Played a number `cause that number's hot stuff
But the bookies get you for every cent you've got
Walk around in a daze with your pockets bare
Go to see your woman and she ain't even there
Don't seem to give a whiz about it and all your trapped in time???
The more I think about it, I think you're `bout to lose your mind
Some people call it jinxed, some say it ain't my day, huh
But if you want to know the truth about it and tell you what's pullin' you way down
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (Yes, uh)
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (You got)
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (You got)
Bad luck, bad luck (Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad)
One long week
Ooh, huh
Yeah, yeah
One more thing
Law of averages plainly states that chances go around
But if you want to know the truth about it and tell you what's pullin' you down
Down, down, down, down, down
Bad luck (Yes, uh)
The lyrics of Harold Melvin's song Bad Luck describe a person who's down-hearted, confused, and appears to have lost everything they own. They feel like they're trapped in a downward spiral and that bad luck has a hold on them. The song is a poignant reminder of how bad things can happen to good people and how it can be difficult to escape a series of unfortunate events.
The lyrics suggest that even when the person tries to improve their situation, they seem to fail repeatedly. For instance, they played a number which was supposed to be hot, but in the end, they lost all their money to bookies. Moreover, they can't find their woman, and they appear to be losing their house too. Despite all this, the person seems unfazed by the situation and doesn't seem to care. The song ends with a repetition of "Bad luck, that's what you got."
The lyrics of this song, which was recorded by Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes in 1975, resonated with many people, and it became a hit, reaching #15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by Leon Huff and Gene McFadden, and it features a soulful melody with a groovy bassline.
Line by Line Meaning
Look down-hearted and confused
You're feeling sad and uncertain
Because lately you've been startin' to lose
You've been experiencing a lot of failure recently
Losin' out on everything you might try to do
Everything you attempt doesn't work out
Bad luck's there, it's got a hold on you
You're being controlled by bad luck
Losing money, `bout to lose your home
You're losing your financial stability and may soon lose your house
Done lost your woman and everything you own
You've lost your partner and everything you own
Law of averages plainly states that chances go around
The likelihood of good outcomes is supposed to balance out the bad outcomes
But if you want know the truth about it and tell you what's pullin' you down, yeah
If you want to really understand your situation and what's causing it
(You got) Bad luck
Your problem is bad luck
Played a number `cause that number's hot stuff
You've been gambling on a supposedly winning number
But the bookies get you for every cent you've got
The bookmakers take all of your money
Walk around in a daze with your pockets bare
You're walking around in a confused and empty state
Go to see your woman and she ain't even there
You go to see your partner but they are not present
Don't seem to give a whiz about it and all your trapped in time???
You don't seem to care about anything and feel stuck
The more I think about it, I think you're `bout to lose your mind
You're becoming insane
Some people call it jinxed, some say it ain't my day, huh
Some people call it a streak of bad luck, some say they're just having a bad day
One long week
A very difficult and stressful period of time
Law of averages plainly states that chances go around
The likelihood of good outcomes is supposed to balance out the bad outcomes
But if you want to know the truth about it and tell you what's pullin' you down
If you really want to understand your situation and what's causing your problems
Bad luck
Your problem is bad luck
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GENE MCFADDEN, JOHN WHITEHEAD, VICTOR CARSTARPHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnvandehey7002
Good as it gets - Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes (aka Teddy Pendergrass) lyrics /complete:
You're downhearted and confused
Because baby, you've been startin' to lose
Losin' out on everything you might try to do
Bad luck, fella's got the hold on you
Losin' your money, 'bout to lose your home
Done lost your woman and everything's wrong
Law of average plainly states that chances go around
But if you wanna know the truth about it
I'll tell you what's pulling you down, yeah
You got (bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got), yes, sir
Bad luck (that's what you got, that's what you got), yeah
Bad luck (that's what you got, that's what you got)
You got bad luck, bad luck, ba-a-a-by
Played a number 'cause that number's hot
But the bookies get you for every cent you've got
Walk around in a daze with your pockets bare
Go to see your woman, and she ain't even there
Losing your rhythm and all your track of time
The more I think about it, I think you're 'bout to lose your mind
Some people call it jinx, some say, "It ain't my day"
But if you wanna know the truth about it
I'll tell you what's pullin' you way down
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) Yes, sir
Bad luck (that's what you got, that's what you got), yeah
You got bad luck (that's what you got, that's what you got)
You got bad luck, bad luck
Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad luck
Don't go away
Huh, woo, huh, huh
Yeah, yeah
One more thing
Law of average plainly states that chances go around
But if you wanna know the truth about it
I'll tell you what's pullin' you down
Down, down, down, down, down
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) Yes, sir
You got bad luck (that's what you got, that's what you got), oh, yeah
You got bad luck (that's what you got, that's what you got), uh-huh
You got bad (bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck)
Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad luck
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) Bad luck
No more bad luck (bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got), bad luck, children
Bad luck (Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got), bad luck
You got bad luck, bad, bad (bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck)
Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad luck
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) You ain't got your baby
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) And all the stars
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) The stars, they shout it out
(Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck) I can't get away from this bad luck
Bad luck, bad, bad
I wanna get away but I can't keep myself
'Cause I got bad luck
Bad luck, y'all
Children, say with me, "Bad luck"
Everybody's got bad luck, bad luck, bad luck
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got)
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got)
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got)
(Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck)
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) Mm-mm-mm, yeah
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) Yeah
(Bad luck, that's what you got, that's what you got) Ha ha, yeah, yeah, I got it
(Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck) Come on, come on
Doggone, uh, woo
People of the world out there
I know none of y'all satisfied, satisfied
The way prices have been goin' up on things
On that I say I'm just mad about mornin' paper, yeah
And cut down on smokin' (cut down on smokin')
And cut down on drinkin' (cut down on drinkin')
'Cause early one mornin', I got me a paper
I sat down on my living room floor
Opened it up (opened it up)
Opened it up (opened it up)
Guess what I saw?
I saw the President of the United States
The man said he was gonna give it up
He's given these high hopes
But he still turned around
And left all us poor folks behind
They say they got another man to take his place
But I don't think they need to satisfy the human race
Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck
Hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah, yeah
The only the thing that I got, that I can hold on
Is my God, my God, Jesus, be with me, Jesus
Give me good luck, good luck, help me, Jesus
@KOMET2006
This song is PERFECT from start to finish. I've loved it since my middle school days circa 1974-1975. LOVE THIS SONG.
@davidalarcon921
i'm too
@cleciusviana7623
Saudades, me lembro da banda Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, grande sucesso absoluto nos anos 70 com a grande voz de Teddy Pendergrass, infelizmente este faleceu, uma grande perda para o R&B e soul!
@josecarlossantos4370
Fez parte de uma geraรงรฃo, fui feliz em ter vivido nesta รฉpoca e aproveitado o que tinha de melhor na Soul music.
@LizWeston-pf8gf
Best generation of music. Happy...makes you want to move...Love it!!
@stephaniephillips565
Rest in Heavenly Peace Teddy Pendergrass โคโค
@Gump-tion
This is such a good song, especially if you're going thru it. You relate to the lyrics, and Teddy's passion resonates with your soul. Yet the music won't let you be sad, it uplifts your spirit, kinda lets you know it'll be alright... Love this song!
@bizzweed
Well written statement right there!
Gives a new look/luck on bad luck my friend!
@TheBbtlegit
Yes I think they wrote this song about me.
@latoniaellingberg423
AMEN!!