I Got It Bad
Ivie Anderson & Duke Ellington Lyrics
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Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
The lyrics to "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" describe the singer's intense devotion to a man who doesn't treat her well, despite the advice of others to save her tears. She acknowledges that her heart is extremely sentimental and vulnerable, leading her to fall deeply in love with this man who is not sweet and gentle towards her. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation as the singer confesses that she can't live without him, despite his mistreatment.
The second verse of the song provides a glimpse into the singer's complex relationship with this man. Despite his treatment of her, they seem to have a ritualized way of getting through each week, even if it involves some sinning. She acknowledges that he doesn't love her the way she loves him, yet the pull she feels towards him is too strong to resist. The repeated line "I've got it bad and that ain't good" serves as a refrain, emphasizing the extent of the singer's feelings for this man and the pain that comes with unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions
Tell me to save my tears
People with good intentions advise me to stop crying
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
I am deeply in love with him and can't imagine living without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
He doesn't treat me with the love and care that I deserve
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
My love for him is so intense that it's causing me pain and that's not a good thing
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
My heart is very emotional and not capable of being unfeeling
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
We have some good times together, even though he doesn't love me the way I love him
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
He doesn't love me in the way he should, and that's causing me pain
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
I'm really suffering because of my intense love for him, and that's not a good thing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christopherlyons5900
Paul Francis Webster wrote the lyrics for Duke, in 1941. Son of a Jewish immigrant from Poland. Graduated from Horace Mann in the Bronx. In my opinion, the best lyrics for any Ellington song. This country produces improbable exquisite collaborations like that so often. And that's something we should all be proud of. Keep 'em coming.
@electronbluepearl8591
Many many years ago when I was a teenager I hung out at a local Italian club. I learned so much about music from the old-timers there who used to play their music on the jukebox. This was one of my favorites and I’ve been searching for years to find this exact recording. So happy I finally found it. I have never heard of Ivie Anderson. She is outstanding!
@spencersmith2798
My favorite Ellington recording...the melody, the arrangement and the unforgettable vocal by the great Ivie Anderson combine to make this a jewel in the Duke’s musical crown.
@Trombonology
Ellington employed many fine, distinctive and memorable vocalists, but in my opinion, Ivie was, hands down, the best. Her unique sound and interpretive brilliance are on glorious display on this side. The great Johnny Hodges, who possessed the most sensual and expressive alto sax tone ever, is at his best here. Duke's celeste and Sonny Greer's brush work, too, contribute to this most lovely treatment of one of Duke's most beautiful compositions -- and one of the all-time great torch songs!
@JudiKJudikjazz
I enjoy Ivie's rendition of this wonderful sexy song. So sultry, clear eschewing rambling notes for true ones.
@eamon1054
Long live the duke.