Guilty
Jimmy Barnes with Joe Cocker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah Baby Yeah I've Been Drinkin'
And I I Shouldn't Come By No
But I Found Myself In Trouble
And I Had Nowhere Else To Go
Got Some Whiskey From The Barman
I Got Some Cocaine From My Friends
I Gotta Keep On Movin'
Til I'm Back In Your Arms Again
Guilty Yes I'm Guilty
And I'll Be Guilty For The Rest Of My Life
How Come Baby How Come I Never Do What I'm Supposed To Do
How Come Everything I Try Never Turns Out Right?
You Know How It Is With Me Baby
You Know I Just Can't Stand Myself




And It Takes A Whole Lot Of Medicine Darling
For Me To Pretend That I'm Somebody Else

Overall Meaning

Alright Jimmy, Guilty by Joe Cocker is a song about a man who is lost and troubled, and turns to drinking and drugs as a way to cope. The lyrics begin with the admission that he knows he shouldn't be there, but he's found himself in trouble and has nowhere else to go. He's turned to alcohol and cocaine, hoping that they'll help him get back to the woman he loves.


However, the refrain of the song is "Guilty, yes I'm guilty," which implies that he knows he's made mistakes and is accepting the consequences of his actions. He knows that he'll be guilty for the rest of his life and can't escape that fact.


The song continues with the singer wondering why he can never do what he's supposed to do and why everything he tries never turns out right. He acknowledges that he has a problem and can't stand himself. The only way he can pretend to be someone else is by taking medicine. Overall, the song is a bleak portrayal of a man who is struggling to cope with his own flaws and mistakes.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah Baby Yeah I've Been Drinkin'
I confess that I have been drinking excessively.


And I I Shouldn't Come By No
I am aware that I should not be visiting you at this time.


But I Found Myself In Trouble
I am in a difficult situation.


And I Had Nowhere Else To Go
I have nowhere else to turn to for help.


Got Some Whiskey From The Barman
I obtained some whiskey from the bartender.


I Got Some Cocaine From My Friends
I received cocaine from my acquaintances.


I Gotta Keep On Movin'
I must continue forward.


Til I'm Back In Your Arms Again
Until I am in your embrace once more.


Guilty Yes I'm Guilty
I am culpable and acknowledge it.


And I'll Be Guilty For The Rest Of My Life
I will carry the weight of my actions for the rest of my lifetime.


How Come Baby How Come I Never Do What I'm Supposed To Do
Why is it, my love, that I cannot ever do what is expected of me?


How Come Everything I Try Never Turns Out Right?
Why does everything I attempt never come to fruition?


You Know How It Is With Me Baby
Dear, you are well aware of my tendencies and habits.


You Know I Just Can't Stand Myself
I cannot bear the person I have become.


And It Takes A Whole Lot Of Medicine Darling
It requires a considerable amount of effort, my dear,


For Me To Pretend That I'm Somebody Else
For me to feign being someone else entirely.




Writer(s): Randy Newman

Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@petercockill

Back in 1990 I was travelling Oz and this song was on a Jukebox, just rediscovered song. Brings back fond memories..

@davidlomm4424

Two of my favorite vocalists singing my theme song lol :)

@trailrunnerxy

Wonderful Song and Great Vocalists....Makes me feel sad and happy....

@Mr1deful

love it

@janiemingues1121

WOW ! WOW! WOW!

@juliedenisewyrick5059

The song guilty reminds me of me I start
With the best of intentions an
along the way I get derailed! Maybe it's because I'm a Gemini , a twin.

More Versions