“You Can Feel Bad”, a song written by Matraca Berg and Tim Krekel, was recorded by Patty Loveless in September 1995 at Woodland Sound Studio, 1011 Woodland St., Nashville, TN. At the recording session for the album, Patty was accompanied by: Biff Watson (guitar), Steve Gibson (guitar), Brent Mason (guitar), Tom Britt (guitar), Jerry Douglas (dobro, fiddle and mandolin), Paul Franklin (steel), Dan Dugmore (steel-2 and lap steel-3), Jerry Douglas (lap steel-4), Lonnie Wilson (drums exc-1), Craig Krampf (drums-1), John Hobbs, Mike Lawler and Mike Rojas (keyboards), Butch Lee (Hammond B-3), Kathy Burdick, Vince Gill, Liana Mauis, Bonna McElroy, Carmella Ramsey, Dawn Sears, Harry Stinson, Jeff White and Curtis Young (Background vocals). With the production of Emory Gordy Jr., the song was released on December 30, 1995, and on March 23, 1996, peaking at # 1 on the US Hot Country Songs charts for two consecutive weeks, and remaining in the charts a total of 20 weeks. On March 25, 1996, it also peaked at # 1 on the Canada Country Tracks charts. It was the fourth number one in the USA and the third in Canada, in Patty Loveless’ career.

The song was included on Patty’s eighth studio album, The Trouble with the Truth (Epic 1996), the album was released on January 23, 1996, and on February 17, 1996, peaked at # 10 on the charts of US Top Country Albums, and remaining on the charts a total of 88 weeks. On the Canada Country Albums charts, it peaked at # 16. The album was certified platinum in the USA and gold in Canada.

Patty Loveless – You Can Feel Bad Lyrics

The car is runnin’ and your bags are packed
I guess that says it all
Your head is hangin’ and you look real sad
Maybe you should’ve called
You say you think you need a brand-new start
You’re really sorry that you broke my heart
Well, I’m not really fallin’ apart, but baby

You can feel bad if it makes you feel better
Picture me cryin’ reading all your love letters
Walkin’ around in your old sweaters, baby
You can feel bad if it makes you feel better

Maybe I’ll go out tonight, yeah, I’ll paint the town
And maybe I’ll run into you, while I’m runnin’ ‘round
There’s a good chance I’ll be alone
An even better one that you won’t
And when it’s time for me to go home, baby

You can feel bad if it makes you feel better
Picture me cryin’ reading all your love letters
Walkin’ around in your old sweaters, baby
You can feel bad if it makes you feel better
If it makes you feel something

Yeah, take another look at these tears I’m crying
They’re not fallin’ on your shoulders, they’re fallin’ on mine
Yeah, Ive seen this comin’ for a long, long time
Now, I’ll be just fine

You can feel bad if it makes you feel better
And picture me cryin’ reading all your love letters
Walkin’ around in your old sweaters, baby
You can feel bad if it makes you feel better

You can feel bad if it makes you feel better
And picture me cryin’ reading all your love letters
Walkin’ around in your old sweaters, baby
You can feel bad if it makes you feel better

If it makes you feel something
If it makes you feel better
But I just couldn’t see There was nothin’ there for me