I've Got it Bad (and That ain't Good) (1941)

D. Ellington

"The poets say that all who love are blind,

Well, I’m in love and I know what time it is."

A curiously random opening remark sets the stage for one of Ellington's most beloved songs: Love is blind but I know what time it is in spite of that. Is love so blinding that one loses track of time, can't see a clock? Or does time simply not matter anymore? It's hard to believe that Ellington penned the lyrics alone; they are deceptively simple but ever so well-crafted. Billie Holiday, Ella, many good women over the decades have done this song justice. (It is a woman's song - another plausible reason to think Ellington did not do the words alone.) Incidentally, it is not known who coined the expression "love is blind" but many have used it over the years to add their own twist... including Mae West, whose version was, "Look your best - who said love is blind?"

VERSE

The poets say that all who love are blind

Well, I’m in love and I know what time it is

The Good Book says “Go seek and ye shall find,”

Well, I have sought and my what a climb it is

My love is just like the weather, it changes with the hour,

when he’s near I’m fair and warmer,

when he’s gone I’m cloudy with showers.

In emotion, like the ocean, it’s either sink or swim

When a woman loves a man like I love him.

CHORUS

Never treats me sweet and gentle the way he should,

I got it bad and that ain’t good.

My poor heart is sentimental, not made of wood,

I got it bad and that ain’t good.

But when the weekend’s over and Monday rolls around,

I end up like I start out 

Just crying my heart out

He don’t love me like I love him he never could,

I got it bad and that ain’t good.