Bad Case of Loving You
Robert Palmer Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Whoa

A hot summer night, fell like a net
I've gotta find my baby yet
I need you to soothe my head
And turn my blue heart to red

Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of lovin' you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you

A pretty face don't make no pretty heart
I learned that, buddy, from the start
You think I'm cute, a little bit shy
Mama, I ain't that kind of guy

Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of lovin' you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you
Whoa

I know you like it, you like it on top
Tell me, mamma, are you gonna stop?

You had me down twenty-one to zip
Smile of Judas on your lip
Shake my fist, knock on wood
I got it bad, and I got it good

Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of lovin' you




No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you

Overall Meaning

The Robert Palmer's song "Bad Case of Loving You" is a rock song that talks about the ups and downs of being in love. The opening lines of the song are suggestive of a hot summer night where the singer is on a quest to find a woman he loves. He is hurt and needs someone to heal him, which is a metaphor for his heart being bruised and in pain. The chorus "Doctor Doctor, gimme the news, I got a bad case of lovin' you, No pill's gonna cure my ill, I got a bad case of lovin' you" suggests that the love he feels is something that cannot be cured. It is a feeling that can only be endured.


The second verse talks about how looks can be deceiving, and a pretty face does not always translate to a pretty heart. The lyrics express that the singer is not the kind of person to be wooed by mere looks, but they are looking for something deeper. In the bridge of the song, the singer is trying to create a sexually charged scenario, asking if his lover is ready to be on top. Finally, the last verses talk about how the singer is technically losing the game of love, but his passion for his lover is making him enjoy the ride.


In essence, "Bad Case of Loving You" is a song about love that is demanding, addictive, and cannot be cured. It is a story of a man who is hopelessly in love with a woman who may not reciprocate the same feelings. However, the man is willing to endure the pain and discomfort that come with loving someone, even if it means that he will lose the game in the end.


Line by Line Meaning

A hot summer night, fell like a net
The sweltering heat feels like an inescapable trap


I've gotta find my baby yet
I need to locate my partner for comfort and relief


I need you, to soothe my head
I require your love to calm my troubled mind


And turn my blue heart to red
I hope your affection will revive my joy and passion


Doctor Doctor, gimme the news
Address me formally, medical professional, and inform me of my condition


I got a bad case of lovin' you
My love for someone is so intense that it harms my well-being


No pill's gonna cure my ill
There is no medical treatment for my love sickness


A pretty face don't make no pretty heart
I've learned that a good appearance doesn't guarantee a good character


I learned that buddy from the start
I knew this fact from the beginning


You think I'm cute, a little bit shy
You perceive me as charming and reserved


Mama, I ain't that kind of guy
But I don't conform to that particular stereotype


I know you like it, you like it on top
I am aware that you enjoy taking control


Tell me mamma, are you gonna stop?
I'm asking if you plan to halt your dominating behavior


You had me down twenty-one to zip
You had me losing by a significant margin


Smile of Judas on your lip
You had a deceitful grin on your face


Shake my fist, knock on wood
I express frustration and hope for better fortune


I got it bad, and I got it good
My intense love is both negative and positive for me




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Moon Martin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@SunflowerGirl__

LYRICS:

Woah, a hot summer night fell like a net
I've gotta find my baby yet
I need you to soothe my head
Turn my blue heart to red

Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of loving you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I've got a bad case of lovin' you

A pretty face don't make no pretty heart
I learned that, buddy, from the start
You think I'm cute, a little bit shy
Mama, I ain't that kind of guy


Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of loving you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you

Woah!

I know you like it
You like it on top
Tell me, mama
Are you gonna stop?

You had me down twenty-one to zip
Smile of Judas on your lip
Shake my fist, knock on wood
I've got it bad and I got it good

Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I've got a bad case of loving you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you



All comments from YouTube:

@joergmaass

Robert Palmer was THE cool cat in rock and is sorely missed. RIP to a really great singer!

@evalynlopez4698

❤ I am 70 & my son 52, daughter 50 & this young man truly crossed the Generation line with his 🎶 Music ❤

@johnmccann1960

The most underated musical genius to ever walk this earth.

@Letsdolunch2023

RIP Robert! This song still kicks ass in 2023!!! ❤❤

@NReese-if1nm

You are right about that!! It kicked ass in 1980, and it still kicks ass 43 years later! But then-- really good stuff DOES have that "endurance factor."

@alexcounen7864

You are right about that!!

@user-Enrica

da gebe ich dir recht

@BD12

Uhh, he's not dead, this song isn't even that old! ROCK ON, ROBERT! YEAH! DOCTOR DOCTOR, gimme the shoes

@edwardmunoz7853

Nothing but raw talent 💯🔥

3 More Replies...

@mystymaples8835

Robert Palmer is one of those artists that you forget is dead, then it’s a gut punch when you remember. Gone too soon, so talented & smokin hot!

More Comments

More Versions