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Villain
Mating Ritual Lyrics

Don't fight the feeling
The tighter your hand grips
The further the smoke slips away
You better have a good reason
If you think you can own me
Cuz I know myself
And I know my body and I know what I deserve
I could fill my cup
With your blood money
But then who would be the villain

Take my hand
Show me how to do it
I'm spinning out don't wanna be the villain
It feels like I'm about to lose it
So take my hand and show me how to do it
Don't fight the feeling
The water gets deeper the further you swim away
You better stop all that thinkin
The moment you notice its way too late
Cuz I know myself
And I know my body and I know what I deserve
I could drink my fill
With your blood, honey
But then who would be the villain
Take my hand
Show me how to do it
I'm spinning out I don't wanna be the villain
It feels like I'm about to lose it
So take my hand and show me how to do it

Writer(s): RYAN MARSHALL LAWHON, TAYLOR LAWHON, ELIZABETH LAND

Contributed by Adam P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Mating Ritual is the solo dance-rock outfit of Ryan Marshall Lawhon. Based in Los Angeles, Lawhon was one-part of Pacific Air, a synth-rock duo with his brother Taylor. In 2014, the siblings put their group on hold so that Taylor could go back to school. Ryan forged ahead with his new project, a bouncy blend of hand-clap arena rock and synth melodies inspired by the '90s electronic and new age inspirations from his childhood, like Laurie Anderson, Ray Lynch, and Enya. Read Full BioMating Ritual is the solo dance-rock outfit of Ryan Marshall Lawhon. Based in Los Angeles, Lawhon was one-part of Pacific Air, a synth-rock duo with his brother Taylor. In 2014, the siblings put their group on hold so that Taylor could go back to school. Ryan forged ahead with his new project, a bouncy blend of hand-clap arena rock and synth melodies inspired by the '90s electronic and new age inspirations from his childhood, like Laurie Anderson, Ray Lynch, and Enya. Balancing those atmospheric sonics with the spirit of his emo and post-punk influences, Lawhon released his debut single in 2015. "Toxins" unveiled a hook-heavy sound reminiscent of the Naked & Famous, Miike Snow, and Passion Pit. He went on to release a string of other singles that year ("Game," "Moonlight" and "Hum Hum"). For his debut EP, he collaborated with his brother Taylor once again, as well as drummer Rob Humphries and singer Lizzy Land. The four-song self-titled Mating Ritual was released in early 2016. Building upon existing shimmery electronic layers, Lawhon bolstered the songs with some glam rock muscle on "I Can't Dance" and '80s new wave on "Don't Know Your Name." Early 2017 saw Lawhon issue a trio of singles -- "Thief," "Second Hand," and "Drunk" -- in anticipation of the release of his debut full-length How You Gonna Stop It?, which dropped later that June.