Adam Green (born May 28, 1981 in Mount Kisco, New York) is an American sing… Read Full Bio ↴Adam Green (born May 28, 1981 in Mount Kisco, New York) is an American singer-songwriter.

Green attended Emerson College briefly in 1998 before leaving to concentrate on his music, going on to co-found the anti folk group The Moldy Peaches with Kimya Dawson. In 2004 The Moldy Peaches went on hiatus and both Green and Dawson embarked on solo careers.

Green released several albums on Rough Trade Records. Among his better known songs are "Jessica" (about singer Jessica Simpson), "Novotel", "Friends of Mine", "Dance with Me", "Carolina" and "Emily", and, in Britain, his cover of The Libertines track "What a Waster".

Prior to Jacket Full of Danger in 2006, all of Green's albums had been released on the 22nd of the month. His latest album was released on March 18, 2008 and is titled Sixes & Sevens. Titles include "Morning After Midnight", "Twee Twee Dee", and "Drowning Head First", the latter a duet between Green and his girlfriend.

In January 2008, The Moldy Peaches began having a resurgence in popularity, due to their music being included in the hit indie film Juno.

What Makes Him Act So Bad
Adam Green Lyrics

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Please don't adjust that smile, the stowaway on the ceiling
Please don't adjust that dial, babe
'Cause this radio has feelings

And I know you're the one with the answer
What makes him act so bad?
And I know you're a wonderful dancer
What makes him act so bad?

What did we do to him to make him act so bad?
What did we say to him to make him say things like that?

And I know you're the one with the answer
What makes him act so bad?
And I know you're a wonderful dancer
What makes him act so bad?

You are a flighty one whose nature is so transgressive
Hold up that dialing wand and show me what's so expensive

And I know you're the one with the answer
What makes him act so bad?

And I know you're a wonderful dancer
What makes him act so bad?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Adam Green's song What Makes Him Act So Bad are somewhat ambiguous and elusive, but they evoke feelings of someone struggling to understand why someone they care about is acting so poorly. The opening lines, "Please don't adjust that smile, the stowaway on the ceiling / Please don't adjust that dial, babe / 'Cause this radio has feelings," suggest someone who is trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and happiness in the midst of chaos and confusion. Perhaps the "stowaway on the ceiling" represents a hidden problem or issue that is causing distress, while the idea of a radio with feelings suggests that emotions and reactions can come from unexpected places.

The repeated lines "What did we do to him to make him act so bad? / What did we say to him to make him say things like that?" reinforce the sense of confusion and questioning, as the singer tries to understand the cause of the behavior they are observing. The lines "You are a flighty one whose nature is so transgressive / Hold up that dialing wand and show me what's so expensive" suggest that the singer is perhaps addressing someone who is flighty and unpredictable themselves and asking them for help understanding the situation.

Overall, the lyrics to What Makes Him Act So Bad are open to interpretation, but seem to be about someone trying to make sense of difficult behavior and emotions.

Line by Line Meaning

Please don't adjust that smile, the stowaway on the ceiling
Don't change your happy expression, ignore the feeling of being trapped or confined by problems that may be overhead.

Please don't adjust that dial, babe 'Cause this radio has feelings
Don't change the station because the radio is like a person with emotional sensitivity.

And I know you're the one with the answer What makes him act so bad?
I trust that you have the understanding or insight to explain why he is behaving poorly.

And I know you're a wonderful dancer What makes him act so bad?
In addition to your knowledge, I recognize your talent and grace, and still seek your explanation for his negative behavior.

What did we do to him to make him act so bad? What did we say to him to make him say things like that?
Reflecting on our own actions or words, what could have triggered his misconduct or aggressive outbursts?

You are a flighty one whose nature is so transgressive Hold up that dialing wand and show me what's so expensive
You have a tendency to be unpredictable and rebellious, but hold onto your method of communicating and reveal what is so valuable or important.

And I know you're the one with the answer What makes him act so bad?
Reiterating trust in your understanding, seeking an explanation for his negative actions once again.

And I know you're a wonderful dancer What makes him act so bad?
Reiterating appreciation for your talent and skill, while still seeking your expertise in identifying the root cause of his disruptive behavior.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADAM GREEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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