Hurtin'
Johnny Thunders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You looking at me? I'm not looking at you
The ones I want, they never stare
And the ones I don't want, they do care
How come you looking at me?
What do I got that you see?
All the girls I want don't look at me
Tell me what, what you see
Why you so smart any others can't see
Life never goes the way I want
You're so pretty, so young, so smart
How come you looking at me?
What do I got that you see?
All the girls I want don't look at me
Why do all the rags always pick on me?
You're killing me
It's a mystery
I'm hurtin'
I'm hurtin'
I'm hurtin'
For the wrong thing
Well this new girl whatcha gonna do?
You looking at me I'm not looking at you
The ones I want, they never stare
And the ones I don't want they do care
How come you looking at me?
What do I got that you see?
All the girls I want don't look at me
Why do all the rags always pick on me?
You're killing me
It's a mystery
I'm hurtin'
I'm hurtin'
I'm hurtin'
For the wrong thing
The lyrics of Johnny Thunders's song "Hurtin'" is about the struggle to find love and the confusion that comes with it. The singer (presumably Thunders) talks about how the people he desires, never desire him back, and the people he doesn't want, are always after him. He wonders why this is happening and why the ones he wants never seem to look his way. He questions the new girl who is looking at him, wondering what she sees in him that others don't see. He acknowledges how life never goes the way he wants it and how he is hurting for the wrong thing. The singer is trying to figure out what he's doing wrong and why he can't seem to find love, despite his efforts.
Musically, "Hurtin'" is a classic punk rock song with a fast-paced rhythm and a distorted guitar sound that defines most of Thunders's music. Lyrically, the song can be interpreted as a reflection of Thunders's personal life, which was marked by alcohol and drug abuse and chaotic relationships. Thunders's singing is raw and emotional, conveying the pain and frustration that he feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Well this new girl whatcha gonna do?
What are you going to do about this new girl in your life?
You looking at me? I'm not looking at you
Why are you looking at me when I'm not looking at you?
The ones I want, they never stare
The people I'm interested in never give me the attention I desire
And the ones I don't want, they do care
The people who I'm not interested in seem to care about me
How come you looking at me?
Why are you staring at me?
What do I got that you see?
What do you find interesting about me?
All the girls I want don't look at me
The people I'm attracted to aren't attracted to me
Why do all the rags always pick on me?
Why do I always get picked on by the people I don't like?
Tell me what, what you see
Please explain to me what it is that you find interesting about me
Why you so smart any others can't see
Why are you the only one who can see the good in me?
Life never goes the way I want
Things never seem to go my way
You're so pretty, so young, so smart
You are attractive, young, and intelligent
You're killing me
You are causing me emotional pain
It's a mystery
I don't understand why things happen the way they do
I'm hurtin'
I am feeling emotional pain
For the wrong thing
I am hurting for something that is not worth hurting over
Contributed by Grace A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.