Bad Penny
Big Black (Rock) Lyrics
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Don't curse me for my nature, don't bless me for my luck
Just a bad penny, I always come back to you
Just a bad penny
Just a bad penny, I always come back to you
Should have known you couldn't trust me
Far as you can throw me, throw me
Couldn't throw me too far
I think I fucked your girlfriend once
Maybe twice, I don't remember
Then I fucked all your friends' girlfriends
Now they hate you
Just a bad penny, just a bad penny
Just a bad penny, just a bad penny
Such a bad penny, such a bad penny
Bad, bad penny, bad, bad penny
Ought to know what a liar I am, ought to know me by now
Such a bad penny
Ooh bad, bad penny, bad, bad penny
Ought to know what a liar I am, ought to know me by now
Ought of known you couldn't trust me
As far as you can throw me, throw me
Such a bad penny, such a bad penny
Such a bad penny, such a bad penny
Slap my hand
The song Bad Penny by Big Black (Rock) is an introspection of the persona's flawed and deceitful character. The repetition of "just a bad penny" emphasizes his self-awareness of being an unwelcome presence in the life of others. Despite acknowledging his untrustworthiness, he continues to return like a bad penny, unable to break the pattern of his behavior.
The chorus "should have known you couldn't trust me, far as you can throw me" suggests that the persona has been repeatedly given chances, but has consistently violated the trust of others. He admits to having slept with the girlfriend of the person he addresses, as well as the girlfriends of his friends, highlighting his promiscuity and disregard for others' relationships. The final repetition of "such a bad penny" reinforces the idea that he knows he is a negative influence and has no intention of changing his ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Ought to know what a liar I am, ought to know me by now
I am a habitual liar and those close to me should be aware of this fact.
Don't curse me for my nature, don't bless me for my luck
Don't blame or praise me for my inherent moral shortcomings or fortunate circumstances.
Just a bad penny, I always come back to you
Despite my negative traits and actions, I continually return to the person addressed in the song.
Should have known you couldn't trust me
It should have been clear to the person addressed in the song that they could not trust me.
Far as you can throw me, throw me
The person addressed in the song cannot physically distance themselves from me enough to escape my negative influence.
Couldn't throw me too far, just a bad penny, couldn't throw me too far
Despite the person's best efforts to distance themselves from me, I am still able to come back around and have an impact on them.
I think I fucked your girlfriend once, maybe twice, I don't remember
I had sexual intercourse with the person addressed in the song's girlfriend on one or possibly multiple occasions, but I have no clear recollection of the exact number.
Then I fucked all your friends' girlfriends, now they hate you
I also engaged in sexual activity with the girlfriends of the person's associates, causing resentment and negativity towards them.
Just a bad penny, just a bad penny, such a bad penny, such a bad penny
I am reinforcing the idea that I have a negative impact on those around me and cannot escape my own flawed nature.
Ooh bad, bad penny, bad, bad penny, ought to know what a liar I am, ought to know me by now
Reiterating my own negative qualities and shortcomings, emphasizing the importance of those close to me recognizing and understanding my true nature.
Slap my hand
The song ends with a seemingly random phrase, potentially indicative of a sarcastic or insincere attempt to apologize or make amends for past actions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fowl Language
I've always thought Big Black looks like Hell's chess team.
Mitchell Hawes
I was there... the most insane gig I ever saw. Big Black pummelling crowd with the most relentless, brutal approach. The place was filled to double capacity, you couldn't breathe, it didn't matter. The last note of the last song was the last breath you ever needed.
Russell Szabados
@Mitchell Hawes I’m insanely jealous. I was supposed to see Big Black at CBGB in the late 80’s and my friend’s car died on the West Side Highway in NYC. Missed my fucking chance, I never heard of them coming to New York again.
HV Hyche
@okthen Not really that hard to believe that a Big Black fan was at a Big Black show. Congratulations on seeing the Sex Pistols, though. lmao
okthen
Yeah of course you did and i saw the sex pistols first show
tinfoil magnolia
I saw Big Black multiple times while living in Mpls. They were unbelievable. Phenomenal live band.
Argflugan
Mitchell H: You lucky fucker!
Martin Hugh Henley
This is extraordinary. It's incredible that they fore-sake the cliched and (yawn) dull torn T-shirt /safety pin look of the punk-by-numbers brigade, yet come across as infinitely more terrifying, despite the geeky look.
A powerful, powerful song. SImply WONDERFUL! Thanks for this.
DaRoachDogg Jr
this is the most punk thing i’ve ever seen. by ditching the traditional punk aesthetic, they come across as infinitely more unique, strange and even dangerous. also albini has a surprisingly brutal voice
fishingrhod
one of my all time BIG 3 - as well as Sonic Youth and MBV - Albini is a twisted little god. i'd love to have tea with him