In May 2019, during the 2019 New York Met Gala, fashion model Amber Valletta, who attended the event with Miley, posted a snippet of the track on her Instagram stories. In May 2020, a year later, the song’s demo was leaked online via file-sharing websites.
The song is heavily inspired by previous Joan Jett's works, remarked by similarities like moans and living carefree and not caring about the consequences of choices at the present moment, neither of what people think about it.
[Mark] kept saying "this is the most Miley record of all time" and I thought "[if] there’s one person who could own this record more than me, it's Joan Jett" because that's who instilled that mentality into me.
– via Zane Lowe for Apple Music 'Plastic Hearts' 2020 Interview
Miley also added that previous works from the rock legend helped to inspire the song, specifically her two tracks Cherry Bomb and Bad Reputation.
Bad Karma
Miley Cyrus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh
You may think I'm ghostin', but the truth is I'm a liar
I sell you what I tell you, but you ain't a fucking buyer (yeah)
You thinkin' that I'm sleepin' when I'm creepin' in the night (uh uh, uh uh, uh uh)
They say it's bad karma when you live a double life (uh uh, uh uh, uh uh)
I've always picked a giver, 'cause I've always been the taker
I'd rather just do it, then I'll think about it later, uh-huh
Kiss me, bad karma, uh (uh uh, uh uh, uh uh)
Uh (uh uh, uh uh, uh uh)
The itsy bitsy spider went and spun a web of lies (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
I don't play the nicest but it ain't a fucking crime (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
I never learn my lesson so I always do it twice (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
They say it's bad karma when you live a double life (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
They say it's bad karma bein' such a heart breaker
I've always picked a giver, 'cause I've always been the taker
I'd rather just do it, then I'll think about it later, uh-huh
Kiss me, bad karma, uh (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
Uh (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
I don't give a fuck, I don't believe in luck
That's why I do what I wanna do, yeah (yeah, I do)
Oh, I don't give a fuck, I don't believe in luck
I do what I wanna do, oh (I wanna do)
They say it's bad karma, being such a heart breaker
I've always picked a giver, 'cause I've always been the taker
I'd rather just do it, then I'll think about it later, uh-huh
Kiss me bad karma, uh (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
Uh (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
Uh (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
Uh (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
Uh
You got a mean drummer face
Just like "Argh"
The opening lines of Miley Cyrus's "Bad Karma" suggest that the singer is living a double life, one where they appear to be ghosting people, but in reality, deceiving those around them. The singer is confessing to being a liar, someone who sells people falsehoods, but those people are not buyers, meaning they aren't falling for the lies. Miley Cyrus then sings about living a double life and how it is bad karma. The phrase "Bad karma" means that negative energy or behavior will result in negative consequences in the future.
It is common knowledge that deception and heartbreak will lead to negative karma or energy. Miley Cyrus sings about how she has always been the heartbreaker in her relationships instead of being the giver, which is why she thinks that the bad karma she is receiving from people around her is well-deserved. The lyrics depict the singer taking advantage of others, admitting that they've never learned from their mistakes and will continue to do so. She would rather act on her impulses rather than to think about the consequences of her actions.
Overall, "Bad Karma" is a song about people taking advantage of others, living a double life, and being deceitful. The song highlights that this behavior leads to negative consequences and can create a karmic echo, so people should act in honesty and integrity.
Line by Line Meaning
You may think I'm ghostin', but the truth is I'm a liar
You might assume that I'm avoiding you, but the reality is that I'm deceiving you
I sell you what I tell you, but you ain't a fucking buyer (yeah)
I'm giving you my version of events, even though you're not interested in hearing it
You thinkin' that I'm sleepin' when I'm creepin' in the night (uh uh, uh uh, uh uh)
You assume I'm asleep, but I'm actually sneaking around at night
They say it's bad karma when you live a double life (uh uh, uh uh, uh uh)
It's believed that you'll have unfortunate repercussions if you continue to lead a dishonest lifestyle
They say it's bad karma bein' such a heart breaker
It's thought that you'll be unlucky if you continue to regularly break people's hearts
I've always picked a giver, 'cause I've always been the taker
I have a history of being selfish, so I tend to be attracted to generous individuals
I'd rather just do it, then I'll think about it later, uh-huh
I prefer to act impulsively, and deal with the consequences afterward
Kiss me, bad karma, uh (uh uh, uh uh, uh uh)
The effects of karma are not a concern to me, so I continue to engage in risky behavior
The itsy bitsy spider went and spun a web of lies (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
The spider in the nursery rhyme had a tendency to misrepresent the truth
I don't play the nicest but it ain't a fucking crime (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
I don't always behave the way I should, but it's not illegal
I never learn my lesson so I always do it twice (uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh)
I have a habit of making the same mistakes again and again, without changing my ways
I don't give a fuck, I don't believe in luck
I don't care and I don't believe in superstitious notions
That's why I do what I wanna do, yeah (yeah, I do)
I believe I am free to do what I want
You got a mean drummer face / Just like 'Argh'
Your facial expression while drumming is fierce
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ilsey Juber, Miley Cyrus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hanzalamunir2140
Miley: They say it's bad karma when you live a double life
Hannah Montana: Ummm ok...
@jakarriking129
Lmbooooo
@anikasadavarte8921
I thought the same thing😂😂😅
@homorockerbloguero5079
LMFAO
@JackMSpreaker
Hannah Montana and Ashley O said hi
@kevintww4038
And this is hannah montana vibe
@Ang-cu5es
SHE TEASED THIS FOR OVER A YEAR, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!!!!!!
@sakibrahman9843
lovely he did a cover, his dream 2K
https://youtu.be/u9mtHcVmqfc
@marc_abby
Yeah but this was a another version of bad karma (solo version) and now they pick up Joan Jett. You can hear the solo version on my channel
@abdelwahabnassim6281
https://youtu.be/OSy8REUzzX0