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 song "I'm Leavin' You" by Howlin' Wolf is a blues track that speaks of a man's decision to leave the woman he loves. He is uncertain about when exactly he will leave, but he knows that he needs to put her down. The woman promised that she would love him forever, but he found out that it was all a lie. He calls her a mean little thing that he has ever seen and concludes that if she cannot treat him right, there is no use in hanging around.
The lyrics of the song carry a sense of frustration and bitterness towards the woman. The man is tired of being treated poorly and has come to the decision that it is best for him to leave. The line "You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes" suggests that the woman is possibly a heavy drinker and that her behavior is causing the breakdown of their relationship. The repetition of the phrase "I'm leavin'" at the end of the song reinforces the man's resolve to move on and leave the relationship behind.
Overall, Howlin' Wolf's "I'm Leavin' You" is a classic blues song that portrays the emotional turmoil that comes with a relationship breakdown. It highlights the challenges that arise when a partner is unfaithful or does not treat their significant other with respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
I'm uncertain about the exact time I'll leave you, maybe in the morning.
Baby don't know, just how soon
I'm unsure about leaving you because I don't know if you're going to change.
But I'm leavin' you
I have made up my mind to leave you.
Woman I've got to put you down
I have to break up with you.
Well if you can't treat me right
If you can't treat me the way I deserve, I won't stay with you.
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
There's no point in me staying with you if you can't treat me right.
Well you told me that you love me
You expressed your love for me.
You cross your heart to die
You made a solemn promise.
But I found out that wasn't so
I discovered that your love for me was not genuine.
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
Before I wake up in the morning.
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You have bloodshot eyes that reveal your true nature.
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
You're a cruel and nasty woman.
No matter how I try to treat you right
Despite all my efforts to treat you well,
Still you's a mean little thing
You're still a wicked woman.
Mean little thing as you can be
You're as mean as anyone can be.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving you for good.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving you for good.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving you for good.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving you for good.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind