Psycho Killer
One Bad Son Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't seem to face up to the facts
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire

Psycho killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away

Psycho killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away

You start a conversation you can't even finish it
You're talkin' a lot but you're not sayin' anything
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
Say something once, why say it again?

Psycho killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away

Psycho killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away

Ce que j'ai fait ce soir-l
Ce qu'elle a dit ce soir-l
Realisant mon espoir

Je me lance vers la gloire, okay
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite

Psycho killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away

Psycho killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away





Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The first verse of "Psycho Killer" by One Bad Son paints a picture of someone who is overwhelmed and paranoid, unable to relax or sleep due to their own internal struggles. The image of a "bed on fire" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the character's lack of control over their own thoughts and emotions. They feel like a "live wire," volatile and dangerous to the touch. The chorus features the refrain "Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?" which translates from French to "Psycho killer, what is this?" The repetition of "fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better" adds to the song's sense of unease and chaos. The repeated phrase "run away" implies a sense of danger or threat that the character is trying to escape.


In the second verse, the character speaks to someone who talks a lot but doesn't say anything of substance. The line "Say something once, why say it again?" suggests frustration with the other person's lack of communication skills. The final lines of the verse return to the chorus, reminding the listener of the central theme of the song.


The final verse switches to French, adding an air of mystery and intrigue to the song. The translation of the lyrics is "What I did that night / What she said that night / Realizing my hope / I launch myself towards glory, okay." The lines "We are vain and we are blind / I hate people when they're not polite" could be interpreted as a commentary on society's superficiality, with the main character feeling disconnected from the world around them.


Overall, "Psycho Killer" is a song about someone who is struggling to navigate their internal turmoil and disconnection from society. The repetition of the chorus and the frenzied energy of the music combine to create a sense of tension and unease throughout the song.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't seem to face up to the facts
I'm having a hard time accepting the truth


I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I'm highly anxious and can't calm down


I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
I'm highly restless and can't find peace


Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
I'm highly charged and easily agitated


Psycho killer
I'm struggling with intense emotional or mental issues


Qu'est-ce que c'est?
What is this?


Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far far better
Repeating a nonsensical phrase distracts me from my problems


Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away
I feel overwhelmed and want to escape my struggles


You start a conversation you can't even finish it
You're unable to communicate effectively


You're talkin' a lot but you're not sayin' anything
You're being verbose without communicating anything meaningful


When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
I choose silence when I have nothing to contribute


Say something once, why say it again?
Repeating myself annoys me; I prefer concise communication


Ce que j'ai fait ce soir-l
What I did that night


Ce qu'elle a dit ce soir-l
What she said that night


Realisant mon espoir
Realizing my hope


Je me lance vers la gloire, okay
I'm pursuing glory and success


We are vain and we are blind
We're overly focused on ourselves and can't see things objectively


I hate people when they're not polite
I get annoyed with people who are rude or impolite


Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Repeating this nonsense phrase again to distract myself




Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

W M

I was amazed to hear Psycho Killer as a hard ass tune! Had always liked David Byrne's original, but this kicks butt.

EvilnessAkaDanielle

I just caught you guys at Def Leppard in Vancouver and you guys are fucking awesome. Keep it up! You're going to be huge!

Al Logan

One Bad Son took what made a classic song and turned everything to 11. The bass is overpowering.

This version of Psycho Killer, along with a hearty breakfast and black coffee, get me started in the morning.

brock neufeld

I have known Shane and his family most of my life( his dad and mine coached his brother and i in minor hockey. They are some of the most genuine people i have ever met, and One Bad Son kicks ass live!

Machine Gun

they seriously kick ass. This cover is awesome

Jay C

I am sure David Byrne of the Talking Heads approves this message.. They did an epic job kept it real but just added that extra something. Best Canadian Band of all time. I am just across the pond of Lake Ontario so fortunate our Radio Stations jams these guys out..

ShadowSora8491

I still love this cover. I hope I get to hear it live, sometime.

d4rkprincess84

This song always gets me pumped! love it!

Jaghatai Bulut

Drums are killin it in this cover man

bbbl67

Very good version of it, liked it almost as much as the original.

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