Itty Bitty Pieces
James Ray Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(You're breaking me up
And I don't mean maybe
It's too late)...
Little itty bitty pieces, baby

First, you promise me your love
And then you don't stick to it
When I'm floating on a cloud
You put a hole right through it
Then you say you're gonna thrill me
And you just don't do it
Let me tell you about my mind reactin' to it

(Chorus)
I'm about to...
Go to pieces, go to pieces
Go to pieces, wooooo
You're breaking me up
And I don't mean maybe
Into little itty bitty pieces, baby

When your kisses start to gettin' good
That's when you end it
When you know how much on you, my dear
My love depended
Now I've got to take some pills
With tranquilizers in it
That is what my family doctor recommended

(Repeat Chorus)

Today you want my love
Tomorrow you don't want it
When you know I'm mad about you
And you play upon it
It's been a long, long time
Since I waited on it
Don't you know how much I need you
Dog gone it





(Repeat Chorus)

Overall Meaning

James Ray's song "Itty Bitty Pieces" is a heartrending tale of lost love and broken promises that leaves him shattered into tiny, little pieces. The song depicts the frustration and disappointment one feels when they have a partner who is inconsistent in their affections, leaving them adrift on a sea of emotions that they cannot control or contain. The lyrics express a jarring contrast between the happiness and love that James Ray felt initially and the betrayal and eventual heartbreak that he felt as things fell apart. The broken promises, the failed attempts at reconciliation, the sense of hopelessness that percolates through the song are all palpable, creating a poignant and deeply relatable piece of music.


The chorus of "Itty Bitty Pieces" is the song's centerpiece, as James Ray croons his pain and desperation, reaching a fever pitch as he contemplates his shattered state of mind. He is on the verge of going to pieces, and the slow, mournful tempo of the song mirrors his heartache and despair. The second verse is equally powerful, as Ray describes the way his lover teases and tantalizes him with fleeting moments of passion before dashing his hopes with indifference and neglect. The final verse is a plea for redemption, as Ray begs for his lover to see the depth of his need and return to him, but the desperation in his voice suggests that he knows the odds are against him.


Line by Line Meaning

You're breaking me up
You are causing me to fall apart emotionally and mentally


And I don't mean maybe
And I am not exaggerating about how upsetting this is


It's too late
It is past the point of repairing the damage you have caused


Little itty bitty pieces, baby
My emotional state is now shattered into tiny fragments


First, you promise me your love
Initially, you agreed to love and commit to me


And then you don't stick to it
But you fail to follow through on that promise


When I'm floating on a cloud
When I am experiencing a great sense of joy and happiness


You put a hole right through it
You instantly ruin that sense of joy and happiness


Then you say you're gonna thrill me
You make new promises to excite me


And you just don't do it
But again, you fail to keep your word and live up to your promises


Let me tell you about my mind reactin' to it
My mind is struggling to cope with the negative impact of your actions


I'm about to...
I am reaching my limit


Go to pieces, go to pieces
I feel like I am falling apart


You're breaking me up
You are causing me to break down


And I don't mean maybe
And this is not an overstatement


Into little itty bitty pieces, baby
My emotional state is slowly deteriorating into small and insignificant fragments


When your kisses start to gettin' good
When we start getting physically intimate


That's when you end it
You suddenly stop the physical intimacy


When you know how much on you, my dear
When you know how much I depend on you emotionally


My love depended
My sense of love and connection is tied to you


Now I've got to take some pills
Now I need medication to cope with my emotional distress


With tranquilizers in it
Medication that helps me to calm down and relax


That is what my family doctor recommended
That is what my medical professional advised for my mental health


Today you want my love
Today you express a desire for my love and affection


Tomorrow you don't want it
But tomorrow, you might retract that desire


When you know I'm mad about you
When you know how much I care for you


And you play upon it
And you use my feelings for you to manipulate me emotionally


It's been a long, long time
I have been struggling with this issue for a significant length of time


Since I waited on it
Since I have been anticipating a positive change in our relationship


Don't you know how much I need you
Do you not realize how important you are to me


Dog gone it
Expressing frustration and annoyance with the situation




Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Robert De Lasalle

Great r&b song from 1962.I dare anybody not to tap their feet while listening.

pinchold pinch

been in love with this for about 50 years. Thanks for posting.

Rufus Brown

James Ray was a great singer, sounded. A lot like Little Willie John, he left us to soon

Sharpzilla

I found this song after hearing it on American Gods

Steven Lee

me too

ALAIN DEWAELE

top track kev fox !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Al The C

Follow up to If You Gotta Make a Fool

Zev Feldman

pretty

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