Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Linda Ronstadt Lyrics
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Waiting on the double E
But the train don't run by here no more
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Oh, these boys won't let me be
Woe, woe is me
Well, I met a man out in Hollywood
Now I ain't naming names
Well, he really worked me over good
Just like Jesse James
Yes, he really worked me over good
He was a credit to his gender
Put me through some changes, Lord
Sort of like a waring blender
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Oh, these boys won't let me be
Lord, have mercy on me
Woe, woe is me
Well, I met a boy in the Vieux Carres
Down in Yokohama
He picked me up and he threw me down
He said, "Please don't hurt me, mama"
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Oh, these boys won't let me be
Lord, have mercy on me
Woe, woe is me
Poor, poor, poor me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor, poor me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor, poor me
Poor, poor pitiful me
The lyrics of Linda Ronstadt's "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is a tale of a woman who's life is inundated with men who leave her feeling used and abused. She begins the song with the image of laying her head on the railroad tracks waiting for the double E train to come, reflecting on her lonely existence. However, the train no longer runs by, leaving her in a pitiable state. The repetition of the refrain, "Poor, poor pitiful me," showcases the woman's vulnerability and helplessness.
In the next verse, the woman recalls meeting a man in Hollywood who mistreated her, comparing him to the notorious outlaw Jesse James. Yet the woman appears to be accepting of his behavior, referring to him as a "credit to his gender." She then states that he put her through "some changes," comparing her experience with him to that of a "waring blender."
The final verse describes her encounter with a man in Vieux Carres, New Orleans, mimicking the same pattern as her previous experiences with men. This time, though, the man "picked [her] up and threw [her] down," making her feel weak and fragile. The song ends with her repeating the refrain while adding an additional "poor, poor, poor me."
The song's narrative evokes themes of heartbreak and resilience, as the woman continually finds herself in hurtful situations with men, yet continues to persevere. It serves as a representation of the struggles of finding love and connection in a world full of disappointment and rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I lay my head on the railroad track
I am so dejected and sad that I have taken to lying on railroad tracks
Waiting on the double E
I am waiting for a train named double E
But the train don't run by here no more
Unfortunately, the double E train no longer passes through this area
Poor, poor pitiful me
I am such a pitiful and sorry person
Oh, these boys won't let me be
All the men around me are causing me great distress by their actions
Lord, have mercy on me
I am begging for mercy and relief from my troubles
Woe, woe is me
I am filled with great sorrow and misfortune
Well, I met a man out in Hollywood
I met a man in Hollywood, but I am not going to reveal his identity
Now I ain't naming names
I am not going to say who this man was
Well, he really worked me over good
This man treated me very badly
Just like Jesse James
He treated me as badly as the infamous outlaw Jesse James would have treated someone
Yes, he really worked me over good
This man hurt me deeply and caused me much pain
He was a credit to his gender
This man was an excellent representative of his sex, in terms of hurting and controlling women
Put me through some changes, Lord
This man caused me to go through many difficult and painful experiences
Sort of like a waring blender
This man treated me so roughly that it was like being in a blender
Well, I met a boy in the Vieux Carres
I met a boy in the French Quarter (Vieux Carres) of New Orleans
Down in Yokohama
Actually, I met this boy in Yokohama, Japan
He picked me up and he threw me down
This boy physically abused me by lifting me up and then throwing me to the ground
He said, "Please don't hurt me, mama"
This boy was so rough with me that he begged me not to hurt him (a sign of his fear of me)
Poor, poor, poor me
Again, I am emphasizing how pitiful and sad I am
Poor, poor pitiful me
I am experiencing such great hardship and sadness that I can barely stand it
Poor, poor, poor me
I am really, really struggling with my current situation
Poor, poor pitiful me
Once again, I am emphasizing my sadness and desperation
Poor, poor, poor me
I am repeating myself to drive home just how much I am suffering
Poor, poor pitiful me
I am really, really struggling to deal with all of the tough things going on in my life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Warren Zevon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind