Hanna studied classical piano as a boy, but was strongly interested in jazz. This increased after his time in military service.
He studied at Eastman School of Music and Juilliard School. He worked with several big names, such as Benny Goodman and Charles Mingus, in the 1950s although only briefly in both cases. Then from 1967 to 1974 he was a regular member of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. During the 1970s he was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet.
Roland Hanna was in semi-retirement for most of the 1980s, though he played piano and wrote the song “Seasons” for Sarah Vaughan’s 1982 album Crazy and Mixed Up, and returned to music later in the decade. He is usually referred to as "Sir Roland Hanna" as he was given an honorary knighthood by President William Tubman of Liberia.
Sir Roland Hanna, along with Jimmy Heath, was a professor of jazz at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College (CUNY) in Flushing, NY.
I Got It Bad
Roland Hanna Lyrics
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Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
The song "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" by Roland Hanna is a heartfelt love song that explores the complexity of love and the emotions that come with it. The lyrics begin by acknowledging the advice of others to "save my tears," but ultimately concede that the singer is "mad about him" and "can't live without him."
The second stanza speaks to the struggle of a love that is not reciprocated in the way one wants or deserves. The singer notes that her partner "never treats me sweet and gentle the way he should" and yet she still can't help but have strong feelings for him. The lyrics "I've got it bad and that ain't good" express the pain that comes with unrequited love and the frustration of wanting something that is not attainable.
The final stanza is more optimistic, expressing the joys of being in love despite its challenges. Even though the relationship may not be perfect, the singer and her partner still find joy in each other's company, praying and sinning together. The song ends on the bittersweet note of the singer's realization that her love is not fully reciprocated, but still holding onto hope for the future.
Overall, "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the joys and pains of love, captured brilliantly in Roland Hanna's soulful piano playing.
Line by Line Meaning
Though folks with good intentions
Tell me to save my tears
Well I'm so mad about him
I can't live without him
Despite people telling me to move on, I cannot because I am deeply in love with him and he is an integral part of my life.
Never treats me sweet and gentle
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
My partner does not treat me with the love and respect that I deserve, and this unrequited love is causing me great pain and distress.
My poor heart is so sentimental
Not made of wood
I've got it so bad
And that ain't good
I am an emotional person and my heart is very soft and fragile, which makes it very difficult for me to handle unrequited love.
But when the fish are jumpin'
And Friday rolls around
My man an' I, we gin some
We pray some, and sin some
Despite the pain caused by my unrequited love, I still spend time with my partner on weekends, enjoying some gin and prayer, and sometime indulging in sinful behavior.
He don't love me like I love him
The way he should
I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Even though I love my partner deeply, he does not reciprocate my feelings and this makes me feel terrible.
Yes I've got it bad
And that ain't good
Overall, my unrequited love for my partner is causing me a lot of emotional turmoil and distress.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, PAUL WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind