Mr. Pitiful
Redding (Otis) Lyrics
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Baby, that's my name now, oh
Call me Mr. Pitiful, that's how I got my fame
But people just don't understand, now
What makes a man feel so blue
Ooh, they call me Mr Pitiful 'cause I lost someone just like you, yeah
They call me Mr. Pitiful
They call me Mr. Pitiful most every place I go
But nobody seems to understand now
How can a man sing such a sad song, now
Ooh, when he lost everything, when he lost everything that he had
How can I explain to you
When somebody had been so very blue?
How can I tell you about my past
If all things won't end?
Mr Pitiful
That's my name now
They call me Mr. Pitiful, that's how I got my fame
But nobody seems to understand now
Ooh, what make a man feel so blue
They call me Mr. Pitiful 'cause I'm in love with you
Can I explain to you?
Everything is going wrong
I've lost everything I had
And I have to sing these sad songs to get back to her
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want you
And I want to tell you everything that, everything that's going through my mind
Sing, and I want to sing
And I want to sing this song with you
And I'm gonna sing this song to everybody
'Cause I want them to understand what I talkin' about
I want you to understand what I'm sayin'
Mr. Pitiful is a song by Otis Redding, a soul singer from the 1960s. The title of the song is ironic because it sounds like it would be a positive or powerful name, but in reality, it depicts a man who is pitiful and down on his luck. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings of sadness and desperation after losing someone he loved. The song's opening lines introduce the singer as Mr. Pitiful and explain that he gained this nickname due to his lamentable nature.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "They call me Mr. Pitiful" and emphasizes the singer's state of being down and out. He tries to explain that he is feeling low and blue, but people do not seem to understand his pain. The lyrics suggest that the singer may have gone through a recent break-up or personal loss, as he ponders how he can explain his sadness to others.
Overall, Mr. Pitiful is a soulful ballad that encapsulates the feelings of someone who is going through a tough time. It portrays a man who has lost everything and is trying to cope with intense feelings of grief and sorrow. The song's message is universal and relatable since everyone experiences sadness and heartache at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me Mr. Pitiful
Address me by the name Mr. Pitiful
Baby, that's my name now, oh
That's what I'm called now
Call me Mr. Pitiful, that's how I got my fame
My nickname is what brought me fame
But people just don't understand, now
But no one gets my blues
What makes a man feel so blue
What causes a man to be so sad
Ooh, they call me Mr Pitiful 'cause I lost someone just like you, yeah
My nickname Mr. Pitiful came about because I lost someone similar to you
This, everybody know now
Everyone is aware of this
They call me Mr. Pitiful most every place I go
The name Mr. Pitiful follows me everywhere
But nobody seems to understand now
But no one comprehends my despair
How can a man sing such a sad song, now
How is a man able to perform such a sorrowful tune
Ooh, when he lost everything, when he lost everything that he had
When he has nothing left, absolutely nothing
How can I explain to you
How can I express to you
When somebody had been so very blue?
How to bring across the depths of my sorrow?
How can I tell you about my past
How am I able to share my history
If all things won't end?
If everything doesn't come to an end?
Can I explain to you?
Can I communicate with you effectively?
Everything is going wrong
Everything is turning sour
And I have to sing these sad songs to get back to her
I need to sing these melancholic songs to win her back
And I want you
And I desire you
And I want to tell you everything that, everything that's going through my mind
And I long to bare all that's on my mind
Sing, and I want to sing
Sing, that's all I desire to do
And I want to sing this song with you
And I long to perform this melody with you
And I'm gonna sing this song to everybody
And I'm going to belt out this tune to anyone willing to listen
'Cause I want them to understand what I talkin' about
Because I want them to comprehend what I'm saying
I want you to understand what I'm sayin'
I desire you to truly comprehend what I'm trying to express
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: OTIS REDDING, STEVE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rulas Rules
Call me Mr. Pitiful
Baby, that's my name now, oh
Call me Mr. Pitiful, that's how I got my fame
But people just don't understand, now
What makes a man feel so blue
Ooh, they call me Mr Pitiful 'cause I lost someone just like you, yeah
They call me Mr. Pitiful
This, everybody know now
They call me Mr. Pitiful most every place I go
But nobody seems to understand now
How can a man sing such a sad song, now
Ooh, when he lost everything, when he lost everything that he had
How can I explain to you
When somebody had been so very blue?
How can I tell you about my past
If all things won't end?
Mr Pitiful
That's my name now
They call me Mr. Pitiful, that's how I got my fame
But nobody seems to understand now
Ooh, what make a man feel so blue
They call me Mr. Pitiful…
Jevezy
King of Soul, the one and only Otis Redding, his voice is out of this world. Miss him and still enjoying his music in 2019. Often imitated, but, never, never, never should be replicated. There is only one King of Soul.
Heather Powers
I love Otis Redding.. Love his soulful music..
Juanita Renee
Still sounds wonderful in 2020 💯🔥❤
Dennis Stone
Soul music is timeless
Mrs Christian
Yes in 2022
Latrica Hill
Speechless! My God that voice was Heaven sent 😥 😥 😢
John Dean
How do you know Heaven exists?
Flute64
Go on Otis Readding. Your voice,lyrics and band, brill.
Thanking you for your style.❤🎹🎺🎸🎤🎼
Moka Moka
Magnifique chanson, celle-ci et les autres, du regretté, Otis Redding, que j'adore et dont je connais, depuis que je suis ado. Sublime, sa voix et ses belles chansons. Merci, Otis, tous ceux qui t'aimaient ne t'ont pas oublies. 💐👏💐👏🌠🎺🎷🎸
Jay Emes
I still remember, as a teenager first hearing Dock Of The Bay, walking into my local music store (when there still was such a thing) and asking for an Otis Redding compilation. The store owner was so shocked. It was the 80s after all. Anyway, loved it! This song, I Can't Turn You Loose and Cigarettes & Coffee were always my favourites.