I'm Leavin' You
Howlin´Wolf Lyrics
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Baby don't know, just how soon
But I'm leavin' you
Woman I've got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
I'm leavin' you
Woman I got to put you down
Girl if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
No matter how I try to treat you right
Still you's a mean little thing
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
But I found out, baby, bye bye
I'm leavin'
Woman I got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the morning before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing
Mean little thing as you can be
Well if you can't treat me right
Still you's a mean little thing
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
The lyrics to Howlin' Wolf's "I'm Leavin' You" are a classic example of a blues song about leaving a relationship that is not working out. The song opens with uncertainty about the timing of the departure - the singer doesn't know when exactly it will happen, but knows that it is inevitable. He then addresses his partner directly, telling her that he has to "put her down" and leave, because she can't treat him right. The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the singer emphasizing that he has no reason to stay if he's not being treated the way he deserves.
The second verse paints a picture of the woman as a difficult and unkind person, with "bloodshot eyes" and a mean streak. Despite the singer's efforts to treat her well, she continues to mistreat him, leading to his eventual departure. The chorus repeats the same refrain, with the singer declaring that he is leaving for good.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt indictment of a failed relationship, with the singer coming to the realization that he deserves better and cannot continue to stay in a situation that is not fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
I'm not sure when I'll leave, it might be in the morning
Baby don't know, just how soon
I don't know exactly when I'll be leaving you
But I'm leavin' you
I'm breaking up with you, we're done
Woman I've got to put you down
I need to end things with you, we're not good together
Well if you can't treat me right
If you can't treat me with respect and kindness
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
I see no point of staying with you if you're not going to treat me well
Well you told me that you love me
You said you loved me before
You cross your heart to die
You made a solemn promise
But I found out that wasn't so
I discovered that it wasn't true
Girl I'm leavin' you
I'm ending our relationship
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
It's still dark outside when I wake up
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
I can see the way you behave in your tired, red eyes
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
You're a cruel person, the worst I've ever encountered
No matter how I try to treat you right
Even if I put all my effort into treating you well
Still you's a mean little thing
You'll still be the cruel person you are
I'm leavin'
I'm getting out of this relationship
Girl I got to put you down
I have to end things between us
Well early in the morning before I rise
It's still dark outside when I wake up
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
I can see the way you behave in your tired, red eyes
You's a mean little thing
You're a cruel person
Mean little thing as you can be
You're the meanest person I've ever met
I'm leavin'
I'm ending this relationship
I'm leavin'
I'm getting out of this relationship
I'm leavin'
We're done, I'm leaving
I'm leavin'
This relationship is over
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind