Dear Doctor

Album: Beggars Banquet (1968)
Play Video
  • 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 Writer/s: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
    Publisher: Abkco Music Inc., BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Bcook1014 from Foley, Al, UsaI'm curious about the name of the "cousin" she's down in VA with, as it sounds like she's run off with someone else, so in that case she would be with Cousin Luke, not Cousin Lou as all lyrics sites have it written. Southerners aren't known for naming guys "Lou."
  • Goldfish from Seattle, WaThis song is a giant joke; a man is scared of getting married, because he hates his wife-to-be. He wants to avoid it so much, he asks for help from a "doctor." Luckily, his wife to be runs away before the wedding, so he cries tears of relief. And Fred's right, that they were clowns when it came to country music, but I don't think "contempt" is the right word for it... they seemed to think that country music was funny and ironic, so they used humor a lot when they played it, but they didn't disrespect it or anything... only what I know, though. =D
  • Fred from Laurel, MdAshley--that's called "falsetto." The Four Seasons, the Newbeats and Lou Christie all got famous doing it. And, I suppose you could say, so did the Beach Boys and the BeeGees. But you're right, here Mick is specifically mimicking the girl's voice. And he does a hilarious job of it. The Stones had a clownish contempt for 'country' music, and this song is a prime example. But they're a great band, anyway.

  • Ashley from Quincy, Ili love this song.i really love it when mick sings in his girl voice.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.