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)
Im 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 song "I'm Your Villain" speak of a complicated relationship dynamic between two individuals. The singer describes that he becomes the villain as soon as one word is tossed his way, and that he sees passion emerge as a result. However, he understands the gravity of the situation and acknowledges that his partner is "serious." He compares them to a waiter hating the rich but taking their tips, insinuating that his partner is someone who doesn't want to be happy but wants to complain and be miserable instead. The singer then expresses his willingness to love and laugh with his partner, but understands that they prefer misery over happiness. Despite this, he still accepts the role of being the villain, as this is what his partner wants.
The chorus of the song furthers the sentiment that the singer is comfortable with being the villain. He declares that he knows what he is and doesn't care if he is the villain. He then goes on to offer ready salted snacks on his partner's belly if they want to have fun, almost as if he is offering a way to reconcile despite the tension in their relationship.
The lyrics of "I'm Your Villain" ultimately seem to convey a sense of acceptance and resignation to the dynamic of the relationship. The singer knows his role and is okay with it, even if his partner prefers misery to happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
You toss in a word
When you say anything, I take it personally and become the bad guy.
And I'm your villain
I'm the one who always ruins things between us.
I see the passion emerge
Whenever you get emotional, I know I'm in trouble.
But serious
But you always take everything so seriously.
You're so serious
You can never take a joke or have any fun.
Oh, like a waiter
You act like a servant, always putting others first.
Hating the rich
But secretly resenting them for having what you don't.
But taking their tips
Even if you're angry, you'll still accept their generosity.
Oh, if I could laugh I'd love you
If I could be carefree like you, we would have a great time together.
Oh, if I could smile at anything you said
If I could just understand your sense of humor and laugh with you.
We could be laughing lovers
Our relationship could be filled with joy and happiness.
I think you'd prefer to be miserable instead
But you would rather stay serious and unhappy, even if it means losing me.
If I could love I'd love you
If I could change who I am, I would do anything to make you happy.
Oh, if I could love like anybody else
If I could be like everyone else and feel love the way they do.
Anybody else
Anyone in the world besides myself.
I know what I am
I understand that I am the reason our relationship doesn't work.
And I'm your villain
I am the one who always causes problems and fights.
Oh, no, I don't give a damn
But I don't really care anymore.
If I'm your villain
If you want to blame me for everything, then fine.
'Cause serious
But you always take everything so seriously.
You're so serious
You can never take a joke or have any fun.
But I've got ready salted
But I have a plan to make things better.
Ready on your belly
I'm going to make you laugh and forget about being so serious.
If you wanna have fun
If you're willing to let go of your serious attitude and laugh with me.
Yeah
I promise to make it worth your while.
See you later
I'll be back to try and make things better between us.
Baby, see you later (see you later)
I'm still hoping we can work things out and be happy together.
Oh, yeah
I'm not giving up on us just yet.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER PAUL KAPRANOS HUNTLEY, NICHOLAS JOHN MCCARTHY, PAUL ROBERT THOMPSON, ROBERT HARDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind