In 1996, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2003, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.
It Ain't Fair
Jean-Pierre Ferland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 song, "It Ain't Fair" by Jean-Pierre Ferland, is a piece about a woman who is deeply in love with a man who doesn't treat her well. Despite being advised by well-meaning friends to move on, the woman finds it impossible to live without her lover. She is aware that he doesn't love her as much as she loves him and that he mistreats her, but she can't resist his company. The lyrics also imply that they regularly indulge in sinful activities.
The lyrics refer to the woman's sentimental heart, which is not made of wood, indicating that she is particularly vulnerable to her lover's charms. The phrase "I've got it bad, and that ain't good" suggests that the woman knows she's in a bad situation, but is unable to extricate herself from it. The song's lyrics provide an insight into the mind of a woman who is torn between her love for a man who mistreats her and her longing for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions
Tell me to save my tears
People advise me not to cry over him even though they mean well.
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
I am totally obsessed with him and can't imagine living without him.
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
He doesn't treat me the way he should by being sweet and gentle towards me.
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
I am in a bad situation and it's not good for me.
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
My heart is emotional and not tough.
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
I am in a really bad situation and it's not good for me.
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
On weekends, my man and I drink, pray, and have sex, 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 the way he should by reciprocating my feelings.
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
I am still in a bad situation and it's not good for me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, PAUL WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind