When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)

When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)

I loved real, real hard once
But the love wasn't returned
Found out the man I'd die for
He wasn't even concerned
I tried, and I tried, and I tried
To keep him in my life (to keep him in my life)
I cried, and I cried, and I cried
But I couldn't make it right

But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand

That what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't catch it)
(if you don't catch it)

And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you just let it)
If you just let it (if you just let it)

See, I thought this feeling
It was all that I had
But how could this be love
And make me feel so bad? (gave up my power)
Gave up my power
I existed for you
But who-ever knew
The voo-doo you'd do

But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand

What you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(if you don't, you don't)

And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)

See what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(if you don't, you don't)

And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it
If you just let it

When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)

When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)

When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
So bad (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)


Lyrics submitted by Ice

When It Hurts So Bad Lyrics as written by Rasheem Sharrief Pugh

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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When It Hurts So Bad song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    i love these lyrics!!!
    cowgirl18on July 26, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    this song makes me cry...i love the line, "I loved real, real hard once..."
    HannahOrange7on April 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i listened to this song so many times when i had a huge breakup and it helped so much to wake up and realise reality. truthful. xx
    ameson May 01, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    so trite. yet fucking mindblowing.
    ieatseedson February 14, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is so cryptic to me! Lauryn is saying two things to me here. Shit went awry in her relationship, but that doesn't mean its hopeless.... she really wanted to work it out, but she couldn't. But she's also saying that it's notalways hopeless, and that one shouldkeep trying until it's really over. I think this song can be taken two ways. In my mind it really means that the girl should do what she needs and wants... either that means leaving him (ironically the next song on the album is "I Used To Love Him") or she should try and work it out somehow. it says he used to be unconcerned and he neglected her. But it says nothing about there not being hope.. The whole song is based on how she still loved him, and if she does, then mabe there's something left to salvage... why's it feel so good, then? There's no finality in this song. It could end either way. If love is involved, then keep trying, I say.
    Havenon September 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Oh my god, she captures unrequited love perfectly here. She loves this guy, it isn't returned; he's probably playing her around and it hurts, but she's in love so she puts up with it - 'if you've ever been in love then you'd understand'.
    missmeon May 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I think this song is about how to find home in your own soul and have control above your feelings before your feelings have control above you.
    Danna12345on April 02, 2020   Link

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