Bad News
Eels Lyrics


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Guess I'm doing something wrong
Never feel right in these shoes
Pocket full of matches and a head full of flames
Got to warn you that I'm bad news

She tucks me in and then she screams
"one day you will have to choose
Either take care of me or take care of you
And don't pretend you're not bad news"

Come on now I'll take you home
You don't have a thing to lose
But stick around long enough and you'll find out
I am nothing but bad news

You can never change where you're from
No matter who I will accuse
I'm gonna get on with a better life
And one day I won't be bad news

It's the same everyday when I wake up
It's the same in the way that you
Gave me up
In the middle of a swan dive





And I was soaring down
Perfect and slow

Overall Meaning

The song "Bad News" by Eels is an introspective piece that deals with the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with his identity, feeling as if he is somehow not right for the world he lives in. He talks about never feeling right in his shoes and having a pocket full of matches and a head full of flames, which may signify the destructive nature of his thoughts and actions.


The chorus of the song revolves around the idea of the singer being bad news, warning others that he may not be a good influence on their lives. His lover tells him that he will have to choose between taking care of her or taking care of himself, and he cannot pretend that he is not bad news. However, he still invites people to come with him, assuring them that they don't have anything to lose, but they will ultimately find out that he is nothing but bad news.


The bridge of the song talks about how the singer is trying to escape his past, but no matter how hard he tries, he cannot change where he comes from or who he is. However, he remains hopeful that one day he will be able to get on with a better life and not be bad news anymore. Overall, "Bad News" is a poignant reflection on the human condition, highlighting the struggles of self-acceptance and self-improvement.


Line by Line Meaning

Guess I'm doing something wrong
I have a sneaking suspicion that I am not behaving in the correct manner


Never feel right in these shoes
I am uncomfortable with my present situation


Pocket full of matches and a head full of flames
I have a tendency towards unstable behaviour


Got to warn you that I'm bad news
I have a track record of causing harm and distress to those around me


She tucks me in and then she screams
The person with whom I reside demonstrates unusual and erratic behaviour


"one day you will have to choose
At some point in the future you will have to make a decision


Either take care of me or take care of you
The choice you have to make is between your own well-being and mine


And don't pretend you're not bad news"
It is clear to me that you are also a person who causes hurt or negativity


Come on now I'll take you home
Allow me to transport you to a more comfortable location


You don't have a thing to lose
There is no risk to you in taking me up on this offer


But stick around long enough and you'll find out
If you remain in my company for an extended period of time, you will come to understand the truth about me


I am nothing but bad news
I am overwhelmingly characterized by my propensity to cause harm


You can never change where you're from
One's previous circumstances can never be altered


No matter who I will accuse
I cannot blame anyone else for the negative aspects of my past


I'm gonna get on with a better life
I am determined to move forward in a positive fashion


And one day I won't be bad news
Eventually, I will cease to cause negativity and hurtfulness


It's the same everyday when I wake up
My daily experience is one of repetition and dullness


It's the same in the way that you Gave me up
The result was always the same, no matter how you rejected me


In the middle of a swan dive
At a critical moment, when things were going well for me


And I was soaring down Perfect and slow
I was experiencing an exhilarating and exciting success before things came crashing down




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK O. EVERETT, SALLY G. DWORSKY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

40thCapeRifles

Thanks for posting this! I loved this song, and this is how I found this band!

arklowrockz

I don't know what it is about this song, but it feels true to me in a way that I can't quite put my finger on.

I know this much though: It definitely makes me feel a bit braver when I am trying to deal with feeling shite

Marisol Cortez

i first heard this song on the soundtrack for "the end of violence." hella underrated.

Raskolvikov81

@40thCapeRifles you're welcome :) long live the Eels!

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