I'm Leaving You
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics


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Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
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
But I found out that wasn't so
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'

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Leavin' You" by Howlin' Wolf is a classic blues song that explores the theme of a man leaving his woman due to mistreatment. The lyrics convey a sense of disappointment and betrayal as the singer realizes that his partner has not been faithful to him despite her promises. The song expresses his frustration and sadness at having to leave the woman he loves, but also his determination to end the relationship and move on.


The opening lines of the song, "Maybe in the mornin', I don't know, baby don't know just how soon, but I'm leavin' you" suggest a sense of uncertainty and hesitation on the part of the singer. He is not sure when he will leave, but he knows that it is inevitable. The following lines, "Woman I've got to put you down, well if you can't treat me right, ain't no use for me hangin' around" make it clear that the decision to leave is a result of the woman's mistreatment of him. He cannot continue to be with someone who does not treat him with the love and respect he deserves.


The chorus, "Well you told me that you love me, you cross your heart to die, but I found out that wasn't so, I'm leavin' you" is a poignant reminder of the woman's broken promises. The singer has been led to believe that she loves him, but he has discovered that this was not the case. Despite his disappointment, he acknowledges that he has no choice but to leave her.


Line by Line Meaning

Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
I am unsure of the exact time frame, but it could be in the morning when I leave you.


Baby don't know, just how soon
I am unsure of the exact timing for my departure either.


But I'm leavin' you
I am definitely planning on leaving you.


Woman I've got to put you down
You have been causing me pain and I need to end our relationship.


Well if you can't treat me right
If you cannot treat me with the respect I deserve, there is no point in me staying.


Ain't no use for me hangin' around
I have decided that it is time for me to move on.


Well you told me that you love me
You claimed to love me at one point.


You cross your heart to die
You swore it on your own life.


But I found out that wasn't so
I discovered that your claim of love was untrue.


Woman I got to put you down
I must break up with you as a result of your dishonesty.


Girl if you can't treat me right
If you cannot treat me with the respect I deserve.


Well early in the mornin' before I rise
I am leaving you even if it has to be very early in the morning.


You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You give me a certain look in your eyes that shows your true nature.


You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
You are a very mean person, the meanest I have ever encountered.


No matter how I try to treat you right
I have made great efforts to treat you well.


Still you's a mean little thing
Yet, you have done nothing to improve your behavior.


You's a mean little thing Mean little thing as you can be
You are a very mean person, without any redeemable qualities.


I'm leavin'
I am definitely planning on leaving you.


I'm leavin' I'm leavin' I'm leavin'
I want to emphasize that I am leaving and will not be changing my mind.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chester Burnett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ilovemycat9790

Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
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
But I found out that wasn't so
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'



All comments from YouTube:

@ilovemycat9790

Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
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
But I found out that wasn't so
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'

@Mr_Wonk

classic tune, the bass is off the charts

@smokey72444

That bass gives me chills,love it

@patponcejr4519

Ive heard many songs in life. But fuck me running , this song is untouchable. One of the best of all time

@bcollins3562

Great blues

@Goatchild90

Great Blues

@genzhours9466

Here to do homework and feeling a strange sensation of strong, male empowerment, despite not being male

@costumeninja1914

💪💪💪

@CS-zj8ex

🤣

@omfggetmeoffthisearth9954

Im here for online class but ngl i like this song-

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