"Bad Luck" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes is a song that portrays the struggles and misfortunes faced by the protagonist. The lyrics depict a person who is downhearted, confused, and experiencing a series of losses in various aspects of their life. The individual is losing money, their home, their woman, and everything seems to be going wrong. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist's bad luck is a result of the law of averages, where chances sometimes go against them. The song highlights the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of bad luck, with the protagonist losing their rhythm, track of time, and even their sanity. Despite playing lucky numbers and hoping for a change, the protagonist faces continuous disappointment. The chorus repeats the phrase "Bad luck, that's what you got" to emphasize the recurring theme of misfortune. The lyrics also allude to the idea that the protagonist's bad luck is not just a matter of chance but may be due to external factors such as jinx or an unfortunate day. The song encourages the listener to reflect on their own experiences with bad luck, suggesting that everyone faces their share of unfortunate circumstances. It ends with a plea for the listener to escape from the grip of bad luck and find some respite. Overall, "Bad Luck" tells a story of a person who is overwhelmed by a string of continuous misfortunes in various aspects of life and seeks some relief or understanding.
