Dear’s first single was 1999’s "Hands Up For Detroit" (co-produced by ghettotech pioneer Disco D, who performed under the name Daisha). Successive singles, such as "Stealing Moves" and the chart-topping "Mouth to Mouth" (as Audion) were issued on Spectral Sound, Ghostly’s offshoot that focuses on dancefloor music.
Matthew Dear’s 2003 full-length Ghostly debut, "Leave Luck to Heaven", is a suite of sparse, wickedly funky house laced with Dear’s deep, distinctive vocals, and includes the much-loved single “Dog Days” (voted one of Pitchfork’s Top 100 Songs of the decade). The record was met with rapturous acclaim from both the dance-music establishment and the critical press, including a four-star review in Rolling Stone. Dear’s 2007 follow-up, "Asa Breed", is a considerable departure from Heaven’s dancefloor excursions, incorporating the polyrhythms of afrobeat, the irreverent pop sensibilities of Brian Eno, and the austere beauty of krautrock. More four-stars reviews followed (Q and Mojo magazines), and Dear subsequently began touring with a live three-piece band, Matthew Dear’s Big Hands, in which he acted as frontman, commanding the stage with a Bryan Ferry-like swagger and a gentleman’s grace.
Today, Matthew Dear finds himself in a unique position. His highly anticipated fourth album, 2010’s Black City, is the culmination of years of hard work and experimentation, a darkly playful sound-world that envelops the listener like the arms of a malevolent lover. After over a decade of exploring pop’s outer limits, Matthew Dear now inhabits a rarefied corner of the musical universe: no longer tethered to any one genre, respected by his peers, and blessed with a bottomless well of creative energy. Now is Matthew Dear’s moment, and it sounds like nothing else.
Bad Ones
Matthew Dear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hate flowers but I'm gonna leave you souvenirs
Freaking out and paralyzed
Your body tells me
I haven't told you lies this year
Wouldn't send you flowers if my love was insincere
Freaking out and paralyzed
If I was one of the good ones
I don't think you'd like me
I'm one of the bad ones
And that's why you feel lucky
If I was one of the good ones
I don't think you'd like me
I'm one of the bad ones
And that's why you feel lucky
I've played a role in all your tears
Hate flowers but they seem to work on you my dear
Freaking out and paralyzed
Your body tempts me
I haven't told you lies this year
Wouldn't send you flowers if my love was insincere
Freaking out and paralyzed
Your body takes me
If I was one of the good ones
I don't think you'd like me
I'm one of the bad ones
And that's why you feel lucky
If I was one of the good ones
I don't think you'd like me
I'm one of the bad ones
And that's why you feel lucky
If I was one of the good ones
I don't think you'd like me
I'm one of the bad ones
And that's why you feel lucky
If I was one of the good ones
I don't think you'd like me
I'm one of the bad ones
And that's why you feel lucky
The lyrics to Matthew Dear's song "Bad Ones" describe a relationship that is grounded in deception and manipulation. The singer confesses to not having stolen anything in years, but still uses gifts and flowers as a way to control and manipulate their partner, who they describe as being "freaking out and paralyzed." The singer admits to playing a role in their partner's tears, yet continues to use flowers to soothe them.
The chorus reveals the singer's belief that they are one of the "bad ones," acknowledging that their behavior is morally questionable. However, they also assert that their partner feels "lucky" to be with them because they are not one of the "good ones" who are presumably more wholesome and honest. The final repetition of the chorus highlights this line of thinking and reasserts the singer's sense of superiority over those who are more moral.
Overall, the song is an examination of the power dynamics in a relationship, particularly the ways in which manipulation and deceit can be used to create a sense of control over one's partner. The lyrics also suggest that such behavior is often grounded in a sense of insecurity and a need for external validation.
Line by Line Meaning
I haven't stolen things in years
I haven't been involved in criminal activities for a long time
Hate flowers but I'm gonna leave you souvenirs
I don't like flowers, but I'll leave you some things to remember me by
Freaking out and paralyzed
Feeling extremely terrified and unable to move
Your body tells me
Your physical response indicates how you feel about the situation
If I was one of the good ones
I don't think you'd like me
I'm one of the bad ones
And that's why you feel lucky
If I were a better person, you probably wouldn't be attracted to me, but since I'm not, you feel lucky to have me
I've played a role in all your tears
I've contributed to all the times you've cried
Hate flowers but they seem to work on you my dear
Even though I dislike flowers, they seem to have an effect on you
Your body tempts me
Your physical presence is tempting to me
Your body makes me
Your physical response indicates how you feel about the situation
Your body takes me
Your physical presence affects me in a deep way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Matthew Dear, Sara Keirsten Quin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anja4883
quote love unquote brought me here!
@gemmarose6675
HELL YEAH
@sharanparashar8988
Tales of the city brought me here 😂😎😁
@isaacmr.trumpetmanbobonis
Me too
@lunieroyale5446
Same 🌟
@KyleJEnnis
Yeah... me too
@ikrambishar2196
Istg😂😂😂😂Same
@fan09125757
Hells yeah...!!!
Frikin love this song! 😁😁😁
@MrReallyHard
The bass in this song is hypnotic and the lyrics are infectious. Great song.
@SongJLikes
The gated synths, and Hi-hat work/beat, also play a large part in the hypnosis.
Catchy tune; I was drawn in by the third phrase the first time I heard it.