It's Hard to Please My Man
Memphis Minnie Lyrics


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You keep me thinking, and wondering all the time
You keep me thinking, and wondering all the time
Oh people it's so hard, to please that man of mine

I combs his hair, I washes his feet
And when I think it works, he's out strolling the street
That keep me thinking, and wondering all the time
Oh people it's so hard, to please that man of mine

Last night he started an argument, he dared poor me to grunt
Then taken my last dollar, to make his girl friend drunk
That keep me thinking, and wondering all the time
Oh people it's so hard, to please that man of mine

"Won't be long now"

I ain't going to give you my money, and don't know what it's all about
Soon as I get cold in hand, you be ready to kick me out




That keep me thinking, and wondering all the time
Oh people it's so hard, to please that man of mine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Memphis Minnie's song "It's Hard to Please My Man" tell the story of a woman struggling to satisfy her man. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing her frustration and confusion. She is constantly thinking and wondering how to please her man and keep him satisfied. But no matter what she does, it seems impossible to please him.


The next two lines describe how she takes care of him, combing his hair and washing his feet, but her efforts are in vain as he goes out strolling the street. The repetition of the first two lines emphasizes her constant frustration and inability to figure out how to make him happy.


In the third verse, she describes how he starts an argument with her and dares her to grunt, then takes her last dollar to buy his girlfriend a drink. Again, she is left wondering what she could have possibly done to please him and keep him faithful. The final verse describes her refusal to give him any more money, knowing that as soon as she is broke, he will kick her out.


Overall, the lyrics of "It's Hard to Please My Man" convey the idea of a woman who is constantly struggling to keep her man happy, but who ultimately realizes that nothing she does will ever be enough.


Line by Line Meaning

You keep me thinking, and wondering all the time
My man is so unpredictable that I am always left wondering what will please him


Oh people it's so hard, to please that man of mine
It is difficult to make my man happy


I combs his hair, I washes his feet
I take good care of him and attend to his needs


And when I think it works, he's out strolling the street
Despite my efforts, my man is still unsatisfied and looks for satisfaction outside


Last night he started an argument, he dared poor me to grunt
My man is abusive and starts arguments for no reason


Then taken my last dollar, to make his girl friend drunk
He uses my money to impress his other women


"Won't be long now"
He is threatening me with his imminent departure


I ain't going to give you my money, and don't know what it's all about
I refuse to give him my money as he has no clear intention for it


Soon as I get cold in hand, you be ready to kick me out
He will only keep me around as long as I am useful to him and is ready to discard me when I am no longer of value




Writer(s): kansas joe mccoy, memphis minnie

Contributed by Caleb M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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