Heartbreaker
Ray Charles and His Orchestra Lyrics
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Heartbreaker, girl you sure is gone
Heartbreaker, how you carry on.
You a bobby soxer mean mistreated too
You a bobby soxer mean mistreated too
You just a little school girl,
But you sure know what to do.
Pretty baby, in your new red dress
Pretty baby, in your new red dress
When I'm not around ya,
I can't hardly get my rest.
Heart-teaser,
You runnin' all around
Heart-teaser, girl,
You runnin' all around
And if you don't stop baby,
You'll be sleeping in the ground
How can I help it,
If I'm in love with you.
I've been your fool baby,
Tell me what more can I do.
Heartbreaker, you think you're smart
Heartbreaker, you think you're smart
Well, heartbreaker, I want to tell ya'
You broke my heart
You know, you broke my heart
You said we would never part
You told me, we would never part
You know you broke my heart
The song "Heartbreaker" by Ray Charles is a bluesy ballad featuring Charles' signature smooth and soulful vocals. The lyrics depict a man who is in love with a girl who is mistreating him and breaking his heart. The song describes her as a "bobby soxer mean mistreated too" and a "little school girl" who knows exactly what to do to hurt him. Charles sings about his love for her even though she is causing him pain, and he feels powerless to stop loving her. He confronts her about her actions, calling her a "heart-teaser" and warning her that if she doesn't stop, she will end up "sleeping in the ground."
The song is filled with emotion and is a testament to Charles' ability to capture the pain and longing of love in his music. The repetition of the phrase "heartbreaker" throughout the song emphasizes the emotional turmoil the singer is experiencing. Despite being mistreated and hurt by the girl he loves, he can't help but continue loving her.
"Heartbreaker" was released in 1963 and was included on Ray Charles' album "Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul." The song was written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns, who were well-known songwriters in the 60s and 70s. Ragovoy and Berns were responsible for writing several hits for artists such as Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, and Aretha Franklin.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartbreaker, girl you sure is gone
Addressing the person directly, acknowledging that they have gone and broken the singer's heart.
You a bobby soxer mean mistreated too
The addressee has also been mistreated in the past, as a young girl growing up in the bobby soxer era.
You just a little school girl, But you sure know what to do.
Though young and seemingly innocent, the addressee is skilled in the art of breaking hearts.
Pretty baby, in your new red dress
The addressee is visually striking and attention-grabbing in her new red dress.
When I'm not around ya, I can't hardly get my rest.
The artist is constantly thinking of the addressee, and her absence leaves him restless and unable to sleep.
Heart-teaser, You runnin' all around
A play on words, the addressee is a heartbreaker but also teases the singer's heart with her behavior.
And if you don't stop baby, You'll be sleeping in the ground
If the addressee doesn't change her ways, she may face literal consequences such as being left alone or even dying.
How can I help it, If I'm in love with you.
Despite the addressee's hurtful actions, the artist cannot control his feelings of love towards her.
I've been your fool baby, Tell me what more can I do.
The artist has foolishly fallen for the addressee, and is at a loss as to what more he can do to make her stay.
Heartbreaker, you think you're smart
The addressee believes she is wise and clever in the way she breaks men's hearts.
Well, heartbreaker, I want to tell ya', You broke my heart
The singer confronts the addressee, telling her that she has in fact broken his heart through her actions.
You know, you broke my heart
Reiterating the fact that the addressee has caused the artist emotional pain and distress.
You said we would never part
A reminder that the addressee made promises of staying together, which she failed to keep.
You told me, we would never part
The addressee has explicitly stated that they would always be together, a promise which she failed to keep.
You know you broke my heart
A final summary of the singer's pain and frustration, due to the actions of the addressee.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AHMET ERTEGUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind