When It Hurts So Bad
Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics
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When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
I loved real, real hard once
But the love wasn't returned
Found out the man I'd die for
He wasn't even concerned
I tried, and I tried, and I tried
To keep him in my life (to keep him in my life)
I cried, and I cried, and I cried
But I couldn't make it right
But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand
That what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't catch it)
(If you don't catch it)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you just let it)
If you just let it (if you just let it)
See, I thought this feeling
It was all that I had
But how could this be love
And make me feel so bad? (Gave up my power)
Gave up my power
I existed for you
But who-ever knew
The voo-doo you'd do
But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand
What you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(If you don't, you don't)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)
See what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(If you don't, you don't)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it
If you just let it
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
So bad (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
The song, "When It Hurts So Bad" by Ms. Lauryn Hill, expresses the pain of loving someone deeply but not having that love returned. The chorus poses a question: why does it feel so good when it hurts so bad? Hill is questioning the complex nature of love and how it can make us feel both joy and pain.
The verses tell the story of a woman who loved a man deeply but he did not love her back. She cried and tried to make it work, but nothing worked. Hill sings that she "gave up her power" and existed only for this man. This line is significant because it speaks to the idea of how loving someone else more than you love yourself can be incredibly harmful.
The lyrics also say, "What you want might make you cry, what you need might pass you by if you don't catch it." This line suggests that sometimes, what we think we want may not be what we truly need. It is essential to discern between what we desire and what we need because one may cause pain, while the other brings true happiness.
The song, "When It Hurts So Bad" is a powerful portrayal of the contradictory nature of love, and it highlights the struggles that many people face when dealing with unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Repeating the title of the song, emphasizing the pain
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Repeating the title of the song, emphasizing the pain
Why's it feel so good? (when it hurts so bad)
Questioning why there can be pleasure in pain
(When it hurts so bad)
Repeating the title of the song for emphasis
I loved real, real hard once
Explaining that the artist has been in love deeply
But the love wasn't returned
Describing that the love was one-sided
Found out the man I'd die for
Realizing that the person she loved didn't love her back
He wasn't even concerned
Acknowledging that the man didn't care for her in that way
I tried, and I tried, and I tried
Trying to make the relationship work despite it being one-sided
To keep him in my life (to keep him in my life)
Struggling to maintain the relationship and keep the loved one close
I cried, and I cried, and I cried
Expressing intense sadness and heartbreak
But I couldn't make it right
Accepting that the love couldn't be fixed and the relationship wouldn't work
But I, I loved the young man
Continuing to express love for the person, despite the heartbreak
And if you ever been in love
Connecting with the audience who have experienced love
Then you'd understand
Implying that only people who have experienced love can comprehend the pain
That what you want might make you cry
Reflecting on how what one desires may cause heartbreak
What you need might pass you by
Regretting that the things that are truly important may be missed
If you don't catch it (if you don't catch it)
Urging the audience to be aware of what they want and need
And what you need ironically
Contrasting desire and need
Will turn out what you want to be
Emphasizing that fulfilling needs can lead to desires being met
If you just let it (if you just let it)
Encouraging the audience to be present and allow things to happen
See, I thought this feeling
Reflecting on the artist's mistaken belief
It was all that I had
Assuming that love was the only thing of value
But how could this be love
Questioning the true nature of the feeling
And make me feel so bad? (gave up my power)
Acknowledging that relinquishing control made the situation worse
Gave up my power
Realizing that she gave up her control to the man she loved
I existed for you
Suggesting that the focus was only on the man, not herself
But who-ever knew
Asking if anyone knew the man's true intentions or the depth of the artist's love
The voo-doo you'd do
Describing the power the man had over the artist, yet did not reciprocate the love
So bad (when it hurts so bad)
Repeating the title to conclude the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lauryn Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind