Lyrics: Elmore James
Music: Elmore James
Sung by Pigpen with the Grateful Dead from 1966 to 1972, but never revived after his death.
You said you was hurtin', almost lost your mindNotes
'Cause the man you love hurt you all the time (note 1)
But when things go wrong, wrong with you
It hurts me too
You love him a little more, when you should love him less (note 2)
Why pick up behind him and take his mess
'Cause when things go wrong, wrong with you
It hurts me too
You love another man, little girl you know I love you
But you love him and stick to him just about like glue
'Cause when things go wrong, wrong with you
It hurts me too
Well he'd better leave you, or you'd best put him down
'Cause you know I just can't stand to see, see you pushed around (note 3)
'Cause when things go wrong, wrong with you
It hurts me too
You say you hurting, you almost lost your mindBy contrast, the Tampa Red version, though recognisably the same song (and with the same chorus), has very different lyrics for the verses. It is also played at a much faster tempo.
The man you love, he hurts you all the time
When things go wrong, go wrong with you
It hurts me too
You love him more when you should love him less
Why [lick?] up behind him and take his mess
When things go wrong, go wrong with you
It hurts me too
He loves another woman, he don't love you
But you love him and stick to him like glue
When things go wrong, go wrong with you
It hurts me too
He gonna leave you, are you gonna put him down
'Cause I won't stand to see you pushed around
When things go wrong, go wrong with you
It hurts me too
I can't be happy, mama, for being so blueBill Bill Broonzy recorded a version on his album "Trouble In Mind", released by Smithsonian Folkways in 2000. It is credited to Tampa Red but has different lyrics from either Tampa Red's or Elmore James's version.
When you keep on worrying the way you do
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
The man you loving, he don't want you 'round
So take me mama, let's leave this town
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
If he keep on dolling you, the way you do
I may lose my head mama, and my temper too
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
He wrecked your life mama, right at the start
And if you ain't careful mama, he will break your heart
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
I love you baby, you know it's true
So why put up mama, with the way you do
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
I love you baby, ain't no lieEven where the song is credited to Elmore James, there appears some confusion over who else is given credit. This is part of the entry from Matt Schofield's site:
Without you woman, I just can't be satisfied
'Cause when things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
So run here baby, put your little hand in mine
I got something to tell you baby, I know that would change your mind
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
I want you baby, just to understand
I don't want to be your boss, baby, I just want to be your man
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
Now when you go home, you don't get along
Come back to me baby, where I live, that's your home
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
I love you baby, you know it's true
I wouldn't mistreat you baby, not for nothing in this world like you
When things go wrong, so wrong with you
It hurts me too
So yes you know
When things go wrong
It hurts me too
The NMPA registration for the song for Elmore James lists Elmore James and James Marshall Sehorn as writers. Other performances of the song are registered with NMPA and BMI with other writers credited, including; Mel London, Hudson Whittaker (aka Tampa Red), Champion Jack Dupree and Barry Goldberg. ASCAP has only one entry for the song with Hudson Whittaker (Tampa Red) as writer.