Boy Harsher is an American electronic / darkwave duo, formed in 2013, that … Read Full Bio ↴Boy Harsher is an American electronic / darkwave duo, formed in 2013, that produces gritty dance beats infused with ethereal vocals, creating a sound that is eerie, intense and incredibly danceable. Gus Muller of Reconss develops the underbelly of sound with minimal beats and grinding synths, where Jae Matthews whispers, screams and chants on top. Together, the music created is somewhere between dance, trance and confessional storytelling. Boy Harsher draws heavily from cinema, theatrics and graphic design to tailor the band's visual imagery; Matthews and Muller both have a background in filmmaking. They have likened the band to the movies Body Heat and Lost Highway, latter of which was directed by David Lynch, a professed influence on the band. Matthews has expressed appreciation for various female vocalists, including Nico, Circuit des Yeux, Alison Lewis of Linea Aspera, Chelsea Wolfe and Zola Jesus, whereas Muller named Sleep Chamber, Suicide, DAF and Yello as early musical influences on Boy Harsher.[4] Gearwise, Muller mostly employs synthesizers and samplers, stating that he "tries and borrows as much [instruments] as he can for recording."On the band's minimal instrumentation, he said: "I’m obsessed with how successful the minimalism is with 80s music. It’s really a masterclass of what can be done with a drum machine and a couple of synths. A "half-functioning" Roland Juno-106 was used extensively on Lesser Man EP; their live set features synth lines sampled into an Akai MPC, as well as backing tracks. The band has amassed a cult following since their formation.

Big Bad John
Boy Harsher Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Big Bad John

Big Bad John
I need you now

Big Bad John
I love you now

One great man
Always lived in my fantasy

One great man
Taught me how to not be afraid

Big Bad John
There's a reason you live on

Big Bad John
I'm not afraid, no one's afraid

No one's afraid now

He's the only man to follow

There's darkness all around me

But I am not afraid
I am not afraid

With the switch of a blade

He took me
He took

He took
He took me

Big Bad
Big Bad...

Overall Meaning

The song Big Bad John by Boy Harsher is a powerful and emotional tribute to a man referred to as Big Bad John. The lyrics speak about the impact this man had on the singer's life, how he taught him to not be afraid and gave him courage to face the darkness around him. The phrase "Big Bad John" is repeated throughout the song, almost like a mantra, highlighting the importance and significance of this man in the singer's life.

The lyrics convey a strong sense of admiration and love for this person, with lines such as "I need you now" and "I love you now". The singer describes him as a "great man" who lived in his fantasy, highlighting the larger than life persona of Big Bad John. The mention of a switchblade in the line "with the switch of a blade, he took me" adds a sense of danger and violence, perhaps referencing the toughness and fearlessness of this man.

Overall, the song is a deeply personal and emotional tribute to a person who had a profound impact on the singer's life. It speaks to the importance of having someone to look up to and to guide us through the darkness.

Line by Line Meaning

Big Bad John
Expressing a need for the significant other, John.

I need you now
Expressing the urgency of needing John in the present moment.

I love you now
Expressing love towards John in the present moment.

One great man
Referring to a significant male figure.

Always lived in my fantasy
The significant male figure has always been a fantasy, not a reality.

Taught me how to not be afraid
The significant male figure taught the singer to overcome fear.

There's a reason you live on
There is a significant reason for John's continued existence.

I'm not afraid, no one's afraid
The artist expresses confidence and lack of fear.

No one's afraid now
Further emphasizing the absence of fear in the present moment.

He's the only man to follow
The significant male figure is the only one worth following.

There's darkness all around me
The singer is surrounded by darkness or negative situations.

But I am not afraid
Despite the negativity, the artist is not afraid.

With the switch of a blade
Implying a violent or abrupt change using a blade or knife.

He took me
The significant male figure took the singer or had an impact on them.

Big Bad
Reiterating John's nickname.

Writer(s): Matthews Jessica, Muller Augustus

Contributed by Madelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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01Intro1:37

02A Realness4:21

03Yr Body Is Nothing5:12

PT4M49S

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Comments from YouTube:

@critmob2298

4y↑56

I may be late to this. I'm predominately a metal fan. As I've gotten older, my ear has matured. I can appreciate great artwork from any genre. This seems as dark and heavy as any of the doom or black metal. And as blue as any. It helps me have a nice contrast . I seem to enjoy this in my darker personality or shadow. So if I'm hearing Celtic Frost or Death , ok! But I hear this instead and I'm losing my mind.