Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Ronstadt Linda Lyrics
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Waiting on the double E
But the train don't run by here no more
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Oh, these boys won't let me be
Woe, woe is me
Well, I met a man out in Hollywood
Now I ain't naming names
Well, he really worked me over good
Just like Jesse James
Yes, he really worked me over good
He was a credit to his gender
Put me through some changes, Lord
Sort of like a waring blender
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Oh, these boys won't let me be
Lord, have mercy on me
Woe, woe is me
Well, I met a boy in the Vieux Carres
Down in Yokohama
He picked me up and he threw me down
He said, "Please don't hurt me, mama"
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Oh, these boys won't let me be
Lord, have mercy on me
Woe, woe is me
Poor, poor, poor me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor, poor me
Poor, poor pitiful me
Poor, poor, poor me
Poor, poor pitiful me
The lyrics of Ronstadt Linda's song "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" talk about the singer's romantic misfortunes with men who don't treat her well. She starts off the song lamenting by laying her head on the railroad track waiting for a train that doesn't run by anymore, emphasizing her feeling of helplessness and despair. The phrase "poor poor pitiful me" is repeated throughout the song, drawing attention to the singer's misfortunes.
The second verse talks about how she met a man in Hollywood who worked her over like Jesse James did, putting her through a lot of changes. The next verse talks about her experience with a boy in Yokohama, who threw her down and begged her not to hurt him. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "poor poor pitiful me," emphasizing her feelings of being a victim.
The song's lyrics capture the frustration and disappointment of a woman who has had a string of bad relationships with men. The broken railroad track in the lyrics is a metaphor for the broken relationships that have left the singer feeling helpless and stranded. The song has a rollicking rock and roll beat with a country twang, which adds to the fun and irony of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I lay my head on the railroad track
I’m feeling so miserable that I’m willing to put my life in danger.
Waiting on the double E
I’m waiting for the train to run over my head.
But the train don't run by here no more
I'm in such a terrible place that even the train doesn't run here anymore.
Poor, poor pitiful me
I'm so sad and helpless, I can barely stand it.
Oh, these boys won't let me be
I'm constantly pursued and harassed by men, and it's driving me crazy.
Lord, have mercy on me
I'm feeling so desperate that I'm begging for divine intervention.
Woe, woe is me
I'm deeply sorrowful and despairing about my situation.
Well, I met a man out in Hollywood
I met a guy in Tinseltown.
Now I ain't naming names
I'm not going to say who he was.
Well he really worked me over good
He treated me horribly.
Just like Jesse James
He was as bad as the famous criminal Jesse James.
Yes, he really worked me over good
He mistreated me badly.
He was a credit to his gender
He was a perfect example of how terrible men can be.
Put me through some changes, Lord
He caused me to go through some harrowing experiences that I'm still reeling from.
Sort of like a waring blender
It was like being caught in a violent storm or a vicious blender.
Well, I met a boy in the Vieux Carres
I met a guy in the French Quarter.
Down in Yokohama
Or maybe it was in Japan, I can't remember.
He picked me up and he threw me down
He physically assaulted me in a cruel and barbaric manner.
He said, "Please don't hurt me, mama"
After he brutalized me, he pleaded with me not to retaliate.
Poor, poor, poor me
I'm feeling so painfully sorry for myself.
Poor, poor pitiful me
I'm such a sad and helpless figure that it's almost laughable.
Poor, poor, poor me
No one in the world has ever suffered as much as I have.
Poor, poor pitiful me
I'm just a pitiable creature, a victim of my own misfortunes.
Poor, poor, poor me
I'm the ultimate symbol of human misery and suffering.
Poor, poor pitiful me
My existence is nothing but a never-ending series of endless heartaches and disappointments.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Warren Zevon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fable Raye
My husband told me after being together for 20 years, that he married me because I looked like Linda, I take that as a supreme compliment, he adored Linda, we were together 33 years, he passed 4 years ago. I miss him every day.
Alan Carnell
There are 2 kinds of men. Those that crush on Linda and and those haven't heard of her. Pity the 2nd kind.
kumbah2006
May God Rest his soul, and our sincere condolences, from Janet and myself.
Karen Johnson
I always loved Linda's music. Listening to her brings back memories of growing up ! I am so sorry for your Loss!
Motorcityman
NOBODY knows if they're in Hell except God.
Go get some therapy!
T. S. Bath
Very few people will ever have a voice like this to offer the world. Parkinson's can't take what you gave the world, lovely Linda.
James M
Well spoken!
Mark Lahaie
Pp
Mitchell Wilkinson
@Pandora the finest women singers in rock and pop music of their era - Linda Ronstadt and Karen Carpenter.
Skye Williams
Her voice brought us to great songwriters like Zevon. GORGEOUS pipes and unadorned coolness.