Back to Black was the second and – to the great regret of millions of fans of Amy Winehouse – the last lifetime record of the brilliant singer, who in 2011 joined the infamous Club 27. One of the album’s tracks was a composition with a telling title You Know I’m No Good (“You know, you can’t call me good”), the history of which we will talk about in this article.
The history of the creation of the song You Know I’m No Good
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, she candidly spoke about what became a source of inspiration for her while working on the album:
The songs literally wrote themselves. They are all about the state of my relationship with Blake at the time. I have never felt for anyone what I felt for him.
If you haven’t followed Winehouse’s personal life, you may not know that Blake Fielder-Civil was Amy’s husband. Although the yellow press and the ubiquitous paparazzi tried to make the whole world aware of the betrayals, quarrels and fights of Amy and her husband.
Clip You Know I’m No Good
Given the singer’s explanations and the nature of her marriage, there is little doubt that Amy is referring to Blake in You Know I’m No Good. She confesses to being unfaithful, talks about the assault, and seems genuinely sorry for the pain she and he has caused.
The song refers to episodes that Winehouse talked about in various interviews: how she sobbed, lying on the kitchen floor, or how she thought that after the wedding she would finally break up with her ex.
Release and achievements
In January 2007, You Know I’m No Good was released as the second single from Back to Black.
It was also released as a remix by Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah.
Clip You Know I’m No Good
The music video for Amy Winehouse’s song was directed by Phil Griffin.
Let’s also listen to the song You Know I’m No Good by Arctic Monkeys.
Interesting Facts
- The bass guitar part used in the composition is allegedly borrowed from Jump Around by House of Pain.
- The song mentions Roger Moore. Most likely, we are talking about the famous British actor who played James Bond. He himself said that he had no idea why Amy chose him, and suggested that the name simply rhymed well. It is possible that this is not a movie star, but a music critic who harshly criticized Winehouse’s first album.
- The authoritative publication Entertainment Weekly recognized You Know I’m No Good as the second best song of 2007 (after Rihanna’s Umbrella).
You Know I’m No Good Lyrics
Meet you downstairs in the bar and heard
Your rolled up sleeves and your skull t-shirt
You say, “Why did you do it with him today?”
And sniff me out like I was Tanqueray
‘Cause you’re my fella, my guy
Hand me your Stella and fly
By the time I’m out the door
You tear me down like Roger Moore
chorus:
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya I was troubled
You know that I’m no good
Upstairs in bed with my ex-boy
He’s in the place, but I can’t get joy
Thinking of you in the final throes
This is when my buzzer goes
Run out to meet your chips and pitta
You say, “When we’re married”, ’cause you’re not bitter
There’ll be none of him no more
I cried for you on the kitchen floor
Sweet reunion, Jamaica and Spain
We’re like how we were again
I’m in the tub, you’re on the seat
Lick your lips as I soak my feet
Then you notice little carpet burn
My stomach drops and my guts churn
You shrug, and it’s the worst
Who truly stuck the knife in the first place
You Know I’m No Good Lyrics Amy Winehouse
Met you downstairs at the bar and found out
Your rolled up sleeves and your skull T-shirt
You asked: “Why did you do this with him today?”
Smelling me like I was Tanqueray1
After all, you are my man, my boyfriend
Handed me his Stella2 and got up
Before I got to the door
You hit me like Roger Moore
Chorus:
I deceived myself
Like she knew it would be
I told you that I’m the only problem
You know, you won’t call me good
I’m in bed with my ex
He knows what he’s doing, but I don’t enjoy it.
Just thinking of you during the final convulsions
I was able to reach the end
Ran to you, chips and pita
You say: “When we get married” – because you are not cruel, –
“He won’t be anymore”
I cry for you lying on the kitchen floor
Together Again: Jamaica and Spain3
Everything is as before
I’m in the bathroom, you’re on the toilet
Licking, watch me soak
Then you notice small burns from the carpet
I get cold inside and my blood runs cold
You shrug your shoulders and that’s the worst
So who was the first to plunge the knife
1. Tanqueray – brand of gin
2. Stella – brand of beer
3. Apparently, they mean alcohol and cigarettes.
