The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
07. I'm Your Villain
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm your villain
I see the passion emerge
And I'm your villain
But serious
You're so serious
Oh, like a waiter
But taking their tips
Oh, if I could laugh I'd love you
Oh, if I could smile at anything you said
We could be laughing lovers
I think you'd prefer to be miserable instead
If I could love I'd love you
Oh, if I could love like anybody else
Anybody else
Anybody else
I know what I am
And I'm your villain
Oh, no, I don't give a damn
If I'm your villain
'Cause serious
You're so serious
But I've got ready salted
Ready on your belly
If you wanna have fun
Yeah
See you later
Baby, see you later (see you later)
See you later
Baby, see you later (oh, yeah)
See you later
Baby, see you later (see you later)
See you later
Baby, see you later (oh, yeah)
See you later
Baby, see you later (see you later)
See you later
Baby, see you later (oh, yeah)
The lyrics of Franz Ferdinand's "I'm Your Villain" describe the push and pull of a tumultuous relationship. The singer is the "villain," the one who stirs up the passion and causes drama. The other person is "serious," resentful of the singer's tricks and games but unable to resist them. The singer longs to connect with the other person, to be able to laugh and love together, but sees that they would rather be "miserable instead." Despite this, the singer embraces their role as the villain and confidently declares that they "don't give a damn."
The lyrics depict a toxic relationship where the singer's attention-seeking behavior (being the "villain") is met with disapproving resentment, but also a craving for more drama. The comparison of the serious partner to a waiter hating the wealthy but still taking their tips exemplifies the partner's struggle with the singer's behavior, but their inability to let go of the toxic dynamic. The line "But I've got ready salted, ready on your belly, if you wanna have fun" implies that the singer is willing to continue the cycle of drama and manipulation, offering temptation to the other person.
Overall, the lyrics of "I'm Your Villain" explore the dynamics of a destructive relationship, with the singer embracing their role as the troublemaker and the other person struggling to resist their allure.
Line by Line Meaning
You toss in a word
You say something and I become the bad guy in your story
And I'm your villain
I become the antagonist in your narrative
I see the passion emerge
I notice your eagerness and enthusiasm
And I'm your villain
And again, I'm the antagonist in your story
But serious
But let's be honest
You're so serious
You're overly grave or somber
Oh, like a waiter
Oh, like a server
Hating the rich
Disliking wealthy people
But taking their tips
But still accepting their gratuity
Oh, if I could laugh I'd love you
If I was able to find amusement in your words or actions, I would adore you
Oh, if I could smile at anything you said
If anything you said could make me happy, I would be so fond of you
We could be laughing lovers
We could have a relationship filled with joy and laughter
I think you'd prefer to be miserable instead
I believe that you would rather feel unhappy than be with someone who is lighthearted
If I could love I'd love you
If I was capable of feeling affection, I would feel it towards you
Oh, if I could love like anybody else
Oh, if I could experience love in a typical way
Anybody else
Like any other person
Anybody else
Just like anyone else out there
I know what I am
I am aware of who I am
And I'm your villain
And, once again, I am the antagonist in your story
Oh, no, I don't give a damn
Oh, no, I don't care at all
If I'm your villain
If you want to blame me for everything, be my guest
But serious
Back to being honest
You're so serious
You're painfully solemn
But I've got ready salted
But I have some chips that are already salted
Ready on your belly
Set on your stomach, ready to be eaten
If you wanna have fun
If you're looking to have a good time
Yeah
An expression of agreement or confirmation
See you later
Goodbye (casual)
Baby, see you later (see you later)
Endearing term of address for the other person, followed by farewell
See you later
Goodbye (casual)
Baby, see you later (oh, yeah)
Endearing term of address for the other person, followed by an expression of agreement or contentment
See you later
Goodbye (casual)
Baby, see you later (see you later)
Endearing term of address for the other person, followed by farewell
See you later
Goodbye (casual)
Baby, see you later (oh, yeah)
Endearing term of address for the other person, followed by an expression of agreement or contentment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER PAUL KAPRANOS HUNTLEY, NICHOLAS JOHN MCCARTHY, PAUL ROBERT THOMPSON, ROBERT HARDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind