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 Blue Notes 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
Don't send you money, 'bout to lose your home
Done lost your woman and everything's wrong
Love always plainly states that chances go around
But if you want to 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
But the bookers gets you for every cent you've got
Walk around in a daze with the richer pockets bare
Got 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)
Long long week
Ooh, huh
Yeah, yeah
One more thing
Love always 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
Bad luck (yes, uh)
That's what you got, that's what you got (you got)
Bad luck (oh yeah)
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 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 (children)
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (you got)
Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck (bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad)
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (you ain't got to)
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (with all the sings)
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (the signs, they showing off)
Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck (I can't get away from this bad luck)
Bad luck
Bad, bad
I want to get away but I can't keep myself
'Cause I got bad luck
Bad luck, y'all
Children sing 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 (mmm, mmm, yeah)
Bad luck
That's what you got (yeah), that's what you got
Bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (hey)
Bad luck (yeah), bad luck, bad luck (come on), bad luck (come on)
Ga-ga, uh, woo
People of the world out there
I know none-a y'all satisfied, satisfied
The way crisis has been goin' on, oh, babe
I better say I'm just mad about mornin' paper, yeah
Have cut down on smokin'
(Cut down on smokin')
We have to cut down on dreamin'
(Cut down on dreamin')
'Cause early one morning
I got me a paper, huh
I sat down on my living room floor
Opened it up
(Opened it up)
Opened it up
(Opened it up)
Guess, what I saw, huh?
Saw the President of the United States, huh
The man said he was gonna give it up
He's giving us 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, huh
Bad luck
Bad luck, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
The only the thing that I got that I can hold on
Is my God, huh, my God, huh
Jesus be with me, Jesus
Give me good luck, huh, good luck
Help me Jesus, huh
Everybody needs
"Bad Luck" is a soulful song by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. The lyrics of the song speak about a man facing a series of unfortunate events that are beyond his control. The opening lines say that the man is down-hearted and confused, losing everything he tries to do lately, and bad luck has a hold on him. The man has lost his woman, money, and about to lose his home, and everything is going wrong for him. The song emphasizes that bad luck comes in different forms, and the man cannot escape it.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Bad Luck" several times, indicating that the man cannot get rid of it. The verses go on to describe the man's situation, saying that he played a number, but the bookers got all his money, and he walks around in a daze with empty pockets. The man cannot seem to find his woman and is trapped in time, about to lose his mind. The song concludes with the singer claiming that only Jesus can give him good luck.
"Bad Luck" was a significant hit for Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, topping the R&B chart in 1975. It was written by Leon Huff (of Gamble and Huff), Gene McFadden, and John Whitehead. The song has been featured in various films and television shows, including Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas."
Line by Line Meaning
Look down-hearted and confused
You're feeling sad and lost
Because lately you've been startin' to lose
You've been experiencing a lot of failure lately
Losin' out on everything you might try to do
You're not succeeding at anything you attempt
Bad luck's there, it's got a hold on you
You're experiencing a streak of bad luck which seems to have taken hold of you
Don't send you money, 'bout to lose your home
You're running out of money and might lose your home
Done lost your woman and everything's wrong
You've lost your significant other and everything else seems to be going wrong too
Love always plainly states that chances go around
People often say that things will get better eventually
But if you want to know the truth about it
However, if you want to know what's really causing your problems
And tell you what's pullin' you down, yeah
And find out what's holding you back
(You got) Bad luck
It's because you have bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got (yes, uh)
That's the problem you're facing right now
Played a number 'cause that number's hot
You tried gambling because you thought the odds were in your favor
But the bookers gets you for every cent you've got
However, the bookies took all your money
Walk around in a daze with the richer pockets bare
You're walking around feeling confused and broke while others seem to have it all
Got to see your woman and she ain't even there
You're looking for your significant other but can't find them
Don't seem to give a whiz about it
You seem to not care about this situation
And all your trapped in time
You feel stuck and unable to move forward
The more I think about it
The more I consider the situation
I think you're bout to lose your mind
I believe you might be going crazy
Some people call it jinxed
Some people believe in bad luck and consider it a jinx
Some say it ain't my day, huh
Others say it just might not be your time to shine
And tell you what's pullin' you way down
In any case, it's the bad luck that's holding you down
Long long week
The week has been very long and difficult
One more thing
There's one more thing I need to tell you
And tell you what's pullin' you down
Once again, let me describe what's causing your problems
Down, down, down, down
It's pulling you down towards failure and despair
Bad luck (yes, uh)
It's the bad luck that's causing your problems
Bad luck (oh yeah)
It's definitely bad luck
Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck, bad luck
It's nothing but bad luck that's following you around
That's what you got, that's what you got (children)
That's exactly what's happening to you
Everybody's got bad luck, bad luck, bad luck
Everyone has to deal with bad luck at some point
That's what you got, that's what you got (mmm, mmm, yeah)
You're not alone in dealing with bad luck
Jesus be with me, Jesus
A reference to seeking divine guidance and help
Give me good luck, huh, good luck
Asking for some good luck for a change
Help me Jesus, huh
Another plea for divine help
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, 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 geração, fui feliz em ter vivido nesta época 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 ❤❤
@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!!