“I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good” | Stories of Standards

Duke Ellington composed “I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good” in 1941 for the musical revue Jump for Joy shortly before production started. Lyrics were added by Paul Francis Webster. 

The revue “aimed at banishing forever the stereotypical eyerolling, dialect, and shuffling gait,”  according to Patricia Willard, Ellington’s publicist.

Disappointingly, this revue never made the journey from the West Coast to Broadway, although this song later did so.

Several months after the initial performances a recording – featuring Ivie Anderson on vocals, Johnny Hodges on alto saxophone, and Duke Ellington on piano – went to #13 on the charts.

After this popular cover, “I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good” was quickly adopted by a wide range of bands and singers including Louis Armstrong, Cannonball Adderley, Billie Holiday, Charlie Byrd, Lou Rawls, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Donna Summer, and John Coltrane.

Tune in to First Take with Lando and Chavis – weekdays from 6-9 am MT – for Stories of Standards to hear our favorite versions of this song all week long!

“I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good” was included in eight movies, including The Big Lebowski (1998, Nina Simone), Eyes Wide Shut (1999, The Oscar Peterson Trio), and The Catcher in the Rye (2004, The Oscar Peterson Trio).

The tune also appeared in three Broadway musicals – Bubbling Brown Sugar in 1976, Sophisticated Ladies in 1981 and Play On! in 1997

Duke Ellington (1899 – 1974), composer, bandleader, pianist, was noted for the grace, elegance and inventiveness of his music, his songs and his life.

The list of his great compositions is astonishing, and his contributions to the field of jazz encompass form, direction, and overall sound.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Ellington incorporated African influences, an early foray into world music.

Ellington’s ability to write with the specific talents and range of the musicians he worked with created what Billy Strayhorn called the “Ellington effect.” 

Today Ellington continues to be a major and respected influence on music.  

Ellington’s image is on a U.S. postal stamp, he received honorary doctorates and the Presidential Medal of Honor. The 100th anniversary of his birth was celebrated with a nationwide Centennial. 

Paul Francis Webster (1907 – 1984) focused on lyrics after college, the Navy, and time as dance instructor.

His talent led to Grammys for “Secret Love” from Calamity Jane (1953) and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” title song of a 1955 film. Other hits include “Green Leaves of Summer” for The Alamo, “The Shadow of Your Smile” for The Sandpiper and “Somewhere My Love” for Doctor Zhivago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjRAa5KFmKU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j0xYRzlrbk

Sources: jazzstandards.com; The Jazz Standards by Ted Gioia; noteablebiographies.com; jazzbiographies.com