In addition to playing in several other projects, including Predator Vision and the Parasails, Mondanile released a split with Dracula Lewis in 2010, before releasing Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics in 2011. The album took a more bare-bones approach, and marked a notable change in style for Ducktails. By the time 2013's The Flower Lane arrived on Domino Recordings, Mondanile had moved even further away from his bedroom beginnings, recording more traditional mellow pop with a full band. A five-song EP, Wish Hotel, arrived later that year, retaining the same sophisticated style as the album that preceded it, as did 2015's full-length St. Catherine. With producer Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck) bringing a touch of warmth and clarity to Mondanile's sincere psychedelic tunes, the album also featured guest appearances by fellow experimental indie artists James Ferraro and Julia Holter.
The lead guitarist parted ways with Real Estate in 2016 before Ducktails' Jersey Devil arrived a year later on Mondanile's own New Images label. Started in Los Angeles but finished after moving back to his hometown of Ridgewood, its collaborators included co-producer John Anderson (Girls, Nick Waterhouse) and Parasol's Chi Yoon Hae, who flew in from South Korea to cover bass.
Biography by Nate Knaebel
bad guy
Ducktails Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In dream I talk to you
Get all my feelings
Out to you
The mistakes
I made with you
But can't you
Don't you know I care?
It's not all dark down there
There's no such thing as a
Bad guy
Old friend
How longs it been?
Years spent
Living apart from him
Don't you know I care?
It's not all dark down there
There's no such thing as a
Bad guy
Don't you know by now?
It's not all dark down there
There's no such thing as a
Bad guy
The lyrics of "Bad Guy" by Ducktails explore themes of regret, longing for connection, and the complexity of human relationships. The singer addresses an old friend in a dream, expressing a desire to communicate and share their true feelings. The lyrics suggest an acknowledgment of past mistakes made in the friendship, but also a plea for understanding and forgiveness, hoping that the friend can see beyond those errors.
The repetition of the lines "Don't you know I care? It's not all dark down there" emphasizes the singer's earnestness and vulnerability, trying to convey that despite any missteps, there is genuine care and affection present. This sentiment is further reinforced by the assertion that "There's no such thing as a bad guy", implying a plea for empathy and acceptance, highlighting the belief in redemption and the capacity for growth.
The reference to years spent living apart from the friend evokes a sense of time passing and the distance that has grown between them. Despite this physical separation, the emotional connection remains strong, as evidenced by the continued yearning to bridge the gap and reconcile any misunderstandings. The repeated questioning of whether the friend knows of their care and the reassurance that "It's not all dark down there" suggests a deep-rooted desire for understanding and closeness.
The closing lines of the song reinforce the message that mistakes and flaws do not define a person entirely, as the singer pleads for the friend to recognize that "There's no such thing as a bad guy". This declaration challenges conventional notions of morality and encourages a more compassionate view of human nature. Overall, the lyrics of "Bad Guy" delve into the complexities of relationships, the nuances of forgiveness, and the enduring hope for connection and understanding between individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Old friend
Reconnecting with an old friend
In dream I talk to you
Expressing feelings in a dream
Get all my feelings
Sharing emotions openly
Out to you
Speaking honestly
The mistakes
Regretting past errors
I made with you
Acknowledging past wrongdoing
But can't you
Hoping for forgiveness
Look passed a few?
Overlook some faults
Don't you know I care?
Expressing concern
It's not all dark down there
There's goodness beneath the surface
There's no such thing as a
Everyone has redeeming qualities
Bad guy
No one is entirely bad
How longs it been?
Reflecting on time passed
Years spent
Time apart
Living apart from him
Being separated from someone
Don't you know by now?
Continuing to express care
It's not all dark down there
Emphasizing hidden goodness
There's no such thing as a
Everyone has positive qualities
Bad guy
No one is irredeemably bad
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: MATTHEW MONDANILE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind