‘Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)’ is a 1978 song, written and originally recorded by Moon Martin and sung a year later by Robert Palmer. The song became one of Palmer's definitive hits. A year later, the song appeared on Robert Palmer's 1979 album Secrets. In Palmer's home country, the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at #61 on the UK Singles Chart on July 7, 1979.
Moon Martin originally recorded the song in 1978. Martin's record label Capitol Records released the song in the United Kingdom and Spain as a stand-alone vinyl single but inserted the song into the United States release of Martin's album Shots from a Cold Nightmare. His original recording did not enter the music charts.
Palmer heard it from a Midwest promotion rep for his record company. Palmer recalled, “He happened to be playing the… song as a demo in the car. I fell in love with it immediately, learnt it at the sound check that night and played it live. The song went down just as well as my familiar songs from that time and it became an instant part of my repertoire.” The success of ‘Bad Case Of Loving You’ helped drive Palmer's fifth solo album, Secrets, to Number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart and to Number 54 in the U.K.
Robert Palmer’s version became more successful in other countries. In the United States, Palmer's version reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, #10 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #1 on the Canadian RPM chart in 1979. The Palmer version was remixed with heavier guitars and drums for his greatest hits collection Addictions: Volume 1. The song was nominated for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards. In the Netherlands, it reached #2 on the Dutch Top 40 chart on August 4, 1979, five weeks after its debut (July 7) on the chart. In New Zealand, it reached #20 in the Top 40 Singles Chart on the week of October 7, 1979, five weeks after its debut at #43 on the chart (September 9). Billboard reviewer Ed Harrison praised Palmer's rendition as "the kind of intelligent rock tune."
Label – Island Records
Songwriter – Moon Martin
Producer – Robert Palmer
SONG LYRICS
Whoa[Verse 1]
A hot summer night fell like a net
I've gotta find my baby yet
I need you to soothe my head
Turn my blue heart to red
[Chorus]
Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of loving you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I've got a bad case of lovin' you
[Verse 2]
A pretty face don't make no pretty heart
I learned that, buddy, from the start
You think I'm cute, a little bit shy
Mama, I ain't that kind of guy
[Chorus]
Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of loving you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you
Whoa
[Bridge]
I know you like it, you like it on top
Tell me, mama, are you gonna stop?
[Verse 3]
You had me down twenty-one to zip
Smile of Judas on your lip
Shake my fist, knock on wood
I've got it bad and I got it good
[Chorus]
Doctor, doctor, gimme the news
I've got a bad case of loving you
No pill's gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of lovin' you