In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Oh help me, please doctor, I'm damaged
There's a pain where there once was a heart
It's sleepin', it's a beatin'
Can't ya please tear it out, and preserve it
Right there in that jar?
Oh help me, please mama, I'm sick'ning
It's today that's the day of the plunge
Oh the gal I'm to marry
Is a bow-legged sow
I've been soakin' up drink like a sponge
"Don't ya worry, get dressed," cried my mother
As she plied me with bourbon so sour
Pull your socks up, put your suit on
Comb your long hair down
For you will be wed in the hour
So help me, please doctor, I'm damaged
There's a pain where there once was a heart
I'm sleepin', it's a beatin'
Can't ya please take it out, and preserve it
Right there in that jar?
Oh help me, please doctor, I'm damaged
There's a pain where there once was a heart
It's sleepin', it's a beatin'
Can't ya please tear it out, and preserve it
Right there in that jar?
I was tremblin', as I put on my jacket
It had creases as sharp as a knife
I put the ring in my pocket
But there was a note
And my heart it jumped into my mouth
It read, "Darlin', I'm sorry to hurt you
But I've no courage to speak to your face
But I'm down in Virginia with your cousin Lou
There be no wedding today"
So help me, please doctor, I'm damaged
You can put back my heart in its hole
Oh mama, I'm cryin'
Tears of relief
And my pulse is now under control
There's a pain where there once was a heart
It's sleepin', it's a beatin'
Can't ya please tear it out, and preserve it
Right there in that jar?
Oh help me, please mama, I'm sick'ning
It's today that's the day of the plunge
Oh the gal I'm to marry
Is a bow-legged sow
I've been soakin' up drink like a sponge
"Don't ya worry, get dressed," cried my mother
As she plied me with bourbon so sour
Pull your socks up, put your suit on
Comb your long hair down
For you will be wed in the hour
So help me, please doctor, I'm damaged
There's a pain where there once was a heart
I'm sleepin', it's a beatin'
Can't ya please take it out, and preserve it
Right there in that jar?
Oh help me, please doctor, I'm damaged
There's a pain where there once was a heart
It's sleepin', it's a beatin'
Can't ya please tear it out, and preserve it
Right there in that jar?
I was tremblin', as I put on my jacket
It had creases as sharp as a knife
I put the ring in my pocket
But there was a note
And my heart it jumped into my mouth
It read, "Darlin', I'm sorry to hurt you
But I've no courage to speak to your face
But I'm down in Virginia with your cousin Lou
There be no wedding today"
So help me, please doctor, I'm damaged
You can put back my heart in its hole
Oh mama, I'm cryin'
Tears of relief
And my pulse is now under control
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Dear Doctor Lyrics as written by Mick Jagger Keith Richards
Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Funny song...classic! C'mon more posts!
Middle-class Hillbilly Mick Jagger tries to dull the pain of his wedding day with alcohol. Suddenly he gets a last minute reprieve. May as well have another drink then! I love the drunken sloppy feel to this song.
I have to agrre with both of you. This song puts you completely into new shoes. God, i love how lazy and drunk and sloppy it sounds. And i do agree completely, more more posts!!
this starts the studio peak of the Stones IMOP 68-72
The live peak for the band is a touch later 71-73. That was once Mick TAYLOR got more comfortable to play like only he could.
Brilliant lyrics,,,,,,a touch like Fool in the Rain. an interesting story. Nothing brilliant or life shaping but just a real nice (well not sure if Nice fits) but it's a great story.
The Coen Brothers should do a movie using this song as a script.
True, 68-72, Beggars to Exiles. It was a great time for them.
I love this song man and I agree about the slopiness but it's awesome a winner off of Beggar's
i love this song...its funny with great lyrics at the same time
Love the falsetto at the end - "DOWN in Virginia with your cousin Lou"! Cracks me up. Jagger taking the mick.
I agree with all previous posts... especially the one that suggested a movie be based on this awesome song. Haha! Stones are simply great. They can play any kind of music and make it great.
The cure was in his pocket, that is the story.