Rockabilly/country singer from Mississippi
Born: 1933 in Saltillo, Miss… Read Full Bio ↴Rockabilly/country singer from Mississippi
Born: 1933 in Saltillo, Miss.
Died: 1999
Notes: grew up in Tupelo where his mother worked in the same plant (Reed Brothers Manufacturing) as Elvis Presley’s mom … recorded unissued tracks at Sun in 1956, including “Mad Man,” “Heartbreakin’ Love,” and “MissPearl,” which would come to life on European compilations a quarter-century later … backing him at Sun were Grady Pannel (lead guitar), Jessie Carter (bass), Charlie Rich (piano) & Jackie Rearkic or Jimmy VanEaton (drums)

Mad Man
Jimmy Wages Lyrics

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Say you treat me like a mad man
Run from me all the time
Say you treat me like a mad man
Run from me all the time
I didn't come through baby
Goin' mad if you don't be mine
Well these late night hours little babe
And you just can't get along

Say these late night hours little babe
And you just can't get along
Three o'clock in the morning
When you should already been home

As you sleep sweet babe
When you get in your bed
As you sleep sweet babe
When you get in your bed
Just treat me ol' sweet daddy
I don't like goin' mad

Say you treat me like a mad man
Run from me all the time
Say you treat me like a mad man
Run from me all the time

I didn't come through baby
Goin' mad if you don't be mine

Overall Meaning

In Jimmy Wages's song "Mad Man," the singer expresses his frustration with a woman who treats him poorly and runs away from him all the time, leaving him feeling like a madman. He pleads with her to treat him better and be his, or else he will go mad. The song is full of late night imagery, suggesting that the singer is up all night, unable to sleep peacefully without this woman in his life. He aims to appeal to her sweet side, asking her to treat him like her "ol' sweet daddy" instead of driving him mad.

The repeated refrain of the song, "Say you treat me like a mad man, run from me all the time," is a powerful indictment of the woman's behavior. The lyrics suggest that she may be playing games with the singer or using him for her own purposes without any intention of being his partner. At the same time, the singer seems to understand that he may not have come through for her in the past, indicating that their relationship may be one of mutual frustration and disappointment. Overall, the song serves as a powerful testament to the ways in which love and desire can drive people to the brink of insanity.

Line by Line Meaning

Say you treat me like a mad man
You act as though I'm crazy

Run from me all the time
You avoid me constantly

Say you treat me like a mad man
You act as though I'm crazy

Run from me all the time
You avoid me constantly

I didn't come through baby
I didn't live up to your expectations

Goin' mad if you don't be mine
I'll lose my sanity if you don't choose me

Well these late night hours little babe
During these late night hours

And you just can't get along
You're having trouble getting by

Say these late night hours little babe
During these late night hours

And you just can't get along
You're having trouble getting by

Three o'clock in the morning
It's very late at night