Although Rooney had flirted with enlisting Ric Ocasek to produce, they eventually opted to rehire Keith Forsey, the producer responsible for the the strong batch of demos that had gotten them signed in the first place. Rooney's sunny, self-titled debut arrived in 2003 and its sales spiked considerably the following year when the band appeared on Fox's popular teen drama The O.C. (the first in a long line of bands to do so). Later that year, the concert DVD Spit and Sweat was released, highlighting the group's transformation from teenage musicians into a road-seasoned outfit. Rooney began recording their follow-up later that year with producer Tony Hoffer, but the album was eventually scrapped despite several songs being posted on the band's MySpace page. A second attempt to record their sophomore album was made in fall 2005, this time with Howard Benson in the producer's seat. Although it was slated for a 2006 release, this version too was scrapped as friction between the band and its label increased.
Following a 2006 tour with Kelly Clarkson, Rooney returned to the studio with producer John Fields for a third -- and successful -- attempt at recording their second album. The slightly darker, but no less catchy Calling the World was released in summer 2007 and debuted on the Billboard charts at number 42. By this point, though, the band's relationship with Geffen had suffered too much damage and Rooney eventually left the label's roster in 2009. That same year, the band celebrated their independent status by self-releasing an EP, Wild One, and launching a brief tour. They didn't remain independent for long, though, eventually partnering with Warner Bros. for the release of their third full-length album, the self-produced Eureka, in June 2010. Although bassist Matt Winter played on the record, he left the band's lineup several months before its release, with Brandon Schwartzel climbing aboard in his place. By the end of 2011, support for the record had mostly ceased and Rooney essentially entered into a lengthy hiatus. Schwartzman remained busy with a number of projects, including two solo records and a pair of film scores. Following years of silence regarding his band's fate, Schwartzman revealed in early 2016 that he had completed a new Rooney album entirely on his own. Released in May 2016, Washed Away was the fourth LP under the Rooney banner, and was supported on the road by a completely retooled lineup. In June 2017, the band issued the single "Second Chances" in anticipation of the release of the El Cortez EP, which arrived in July of that year.
I'm A Terrible Person
Rooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a terrible person
I'm a terrible person
Cause I've made up my mind
I'm a terrible person
Cause I've let her on
And I'm the only one who knows what I've done to her
Oh yeah I'm much smarter now,
Oh I'm afraid
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
But I'm a horrible person, I read her diary
I'm not to be trusted
I told all of her secrets
To all the guys in town
They all laugh, and slap me five
Oh yeah
Luckily she doesn't have dirt on me 'cause I'm the cleanest guy
Oh I'm so afraid
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
Well I don't think I'll ever be sorry
No I'm not sorry for a thing I've done
And I don't think I'll ever wake up lonely
Cause having her around wasn't all that special
Well I don't think I'll ever be sorry
No I'm not sorry for a thing I've done
And I don't think I'll ever wake up lonely
Cause having her around wasn't all that special
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
The lyrics of "I'm A Terrible Person" reflect the self-awareness and lack of remorse of the singer. The repetition of the line "I'm a terrible person" reinforces this idea, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves of their own wrongdoing. The first verse suggests that the singer has led someone on and done something to hurt them, but only they know the extent of their actions. The line "I'm much smarter now, I won't tell her friends before her" implies that the singer has gossiped about this person to others in the past, and regrets it.
The second verse reveals that the singer has breached the trust of the person they hurt by reading their diary and sharing their secrets with others. The singer acknowledges that they are untrustworthy, but seems to take pleasure in the attention they receive from others for their behavior. The line "Luckily she doesn't have dirt on me 'cause I'm the cleanest guy" suggests that the singer is trying to justify their actions by comparing themselves to their victim.
The chorus repeats the phrase "It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday," perhaps indicating that the victim will confront the singer about their actions. However, the singer seems resigned to the consequences and unapologetic for their behavior. The final verse reinforces this lack of remorse, as the singer suggests that they will never be sorry and that they didn't value the person they hurt anyways.
Overall, "I'm A Terrible Person" portrays a character who is self-aware of their own immorality, but lacks the desire to change or make amends for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a terrible person
The singer recognizes their own wrongdoing and characterizes themselves as being bad.
Cause I've made up my mind
The singer is certain of their own wrong decision, and admits it is their own fault.
Cause I've let her on
The singer led someone on, and caused them to develop false feelings for them.
And I'm the only one who knows what I've done to her
The artist knows that they have hurt this person and are the only one who knows the full extent of the damage done.
Oh yeah I'm much smarter now, I won't tell her friends before her
The artist realizes that they were foolish to talk about this person behind their back and promises to not do it again.
Oh I'm afraid, It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
The singer is fearful of imminent consequences and anticipates a negative outcome.
I'm not to be trusted
The singer acknowledges that they are an untrustworthy person due to past actions.
I told all of her secrets, To all the guys in town, They all laugh, and slap me five
The artist betrayed someone's trust by revealing private information and was met with approval and laughter from others.
Luckily she doesn't have dirt on me 'cause I'm the cleanest guy
The artist is relieved that the person they hurt does not have any incriminating information about them, but also acknowledges that they are not actually a morally upstanding person.
Well I don't think I'll ever be sorry, No I'm not sorry for a thing I've done
The artist is unrepentant and does not feel remorse for their actions.
And I don't think I'll ever wake up lonely, Cause having her around wasn't all that special
The singer does not value the relationship with the person they hurt, and does not anticipate feeling lonely without them.
It's gonna be a bad day come Sunday
The artist continues to feel anxious and anticipates negative consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT SCHWARTZMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind