Bad Woman
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics

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When you left the house this evening
You said you'd be back in a little while
But I've been waiting for such a long time
And this waiting is driving me wild

And while I wait I think about you
Do you need me and I'm not there?
Are you planning to be without me?

Do you have a new affair?

You're a bad, bad woman
You're a bad, bad woman

Pictures of you keep flashing to my mind
If you would only call, if you would be so kind
Imagine things, I've seen another man
And it's this waiting I just can't stand

You're a bad, bad woman
You're a bad, bad woman

You're a bad, bad woman
You're a bad, bad woman

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Arctic Monkeys' song "Bad Woman" paint a picture of a man waiting for his lover to return home. The waiting, however, has been prolonged and is now beginning to drive him wild. He is plagued with thoughts of his lover being with someone else, and wonders if he is needed or even wanted anymore. The chorus repeats the phrase "You're a bad, bad woman" seemingly pointing towards his assumption that she is cheating or at least not being truthful with him.

The lyrics showcase a love that is slowly deteriorating due to mistrust and lack of communication. It is evident that the man is very much in love with his partner, but the long wait has made him paranoid and insecure. He is picturing images of her with other men and unable to shake this thought from his mind. By calling her a "bad" woman, he is expressing his disappointment and betrayal, highlighting the stereotypically masculine notion of a woman who cheats being a "bad" one.

Overall, the lyrics paint a sad but relatable picture of a failing relationship, where two people who were once in love are now struggling with miscommunication and mistrust.

Line by Line Meaning

When you left the house this evening
When you departed from the house tonight

You said you'd be back in a little while
You promised to return soon

But I've been waiting for such a long time
However, I have been waiting for a considerable while

And this waiting is driving me wild
And the waiting is making me anxious

And while I wait I think about you
While I wait, thoughts about you occupy my mind

Do you need me and I'm not there?
Do you require me in my absence?

Are you planning to be without me?
Are you intending to carry on without me?

Do you have a new affair?
Have you found a new love interest?

You're a bad, bad woman
You are a terrible woman

Pictures of you keep flashing to my mind
Your image keeps appearing in my thoughts

If you would only call, if you would be so kind
If only you would give me a call, if only you were so courteous