Mercury
Bye Bye Badman Lyrics

The lyrics of Bye Bye Badman's song Mercury seem to speak of the deep desire of the singer to be closer to someone they deeply admire or love. The opening lines of the song describe the disparity between what the singer is capable of possessing and what the other person already has. The other person is always shining brighter, existing on a higher plane than the singer who always feels lacking in comparison. The singer wonders what it would be like if they closed the gap between themselves and the other person. They wonder whether the distance between them could change if they were to look into each other's eyes or even kiss. The song seems to suggest that the physical closeness that can be achieved through a romantic relationship can bridge the emotional gap between two people.

The second verse presents a much more personal take on the yearning described in the first verse. The singer describes how they feel frightened of the other person, convinced that they do not share the same level of feeling. The singer even admits that they avoid the person they love out of fear of rejection. The singer romanticizes the other person's warmth, wishing they could bask in its light. The song concludes with the singer once again questioning what could have been if they had taken the chance to try and get closer to the object of their desire. The lyrics are poetic and express the complexities of relationships, the insecurity that can so often exist between us.