Criminal
State Champs Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

So what’s it mean when every dream I have is about you now?
I can’t believe you get to me the way you somehow
It’s criminal


Believe me, it’s easy
to let this go deeper, the taste could be sweeter
Come on
You’re too strong, and far gone
I’ll keep my composure
Just tell me what this is really all about
I feel you tearing down
Castles in my head when we’re in different beds


So what’s it mean when every dream I have is about you now?
I can’t believe you get to me the way you somehow
It’s criminal


I’m sideways, can I say
You pull me to pieces
Just tell me your secrets
Come on


For what it’s worth
I’m most concerned with
How you got me here in the first place


What’s it really all about
I feel you tearing down
Castles in my head when we’re in different beds


So what’s it mean when every dream I have is about you now?
I can’t believe you get to me the way you somehow
It’s criminal


Believe me, it’s easy
to let this go deeper, the taste could be sweeter
Come on
You’re too strong, and far gone
I’ll keep my composure
Just tell me


What’s it really all about
I feel you tearing down
Castles in my head when we’re in different beds
When I’m a world away, somehow you come find me
Too close to stay on track, tossing and turning back


So what’s it mean when every dream I have is about you now?




I can’t believe you get to me the way you somehow
It’s criminal

Overall Meaning

In "Criminal," State Champs' frontman Derek DiScanio sings about being haunted by his feelings for someone, even when they're not together. He opens the song by questioning what it means that every dream he has is about this person. He's amazed that they can still affect him so deeply, and it feels almost wrong or illicit or "criminal" to him. He admits that he's tempted to pursue the relationship further, despite the fact that it's already tearing down "castles in his head" and causing him distress.


Throughout the song, DiScanio oscillates between wanting to know more about the person and their feelings and trying to distance himself from them. The chorus is a refrain where he repeats the idea that his attraction to this person feels "criminal," and the verses are more conversational, peppered with questions and pleas for information. He acknowledges that he's been "pulled to pieces" by his feelings for this person and that he's "sideways," meaning he's not sure which way is up. In the end, he's left with questions and a sense of confusion – he's not sure what to do or how to feel.


In essence, "Criminal" is a song about the anxieties and doubts that arise when we're attracted to someone who we know might not be good for us, or when we're attracted to someone who's sending mixed signals. DiScanio's lyrics capture the feeling of being caught in a cycle of wanting someone and then pushing them away, wanting to know more but also feeling like it's too dangerous to delve too deep.


Line by Line Meaning

So what’s it mean when every dream I have is about you now?
I can't help but think about you even when I'm asleep, what does that mean?


I can’t believe you get to me the way you somehow
I'm surprised how much you affect me, even though I try not to let you.


It’s criminal
It's not fair how much power you have over me.


Believe me, it’s easy to let this go deeper, the taste could be sweeter Come on
I know I shouldn't, but it's so tempting to keep pursuing this even though I know it's not good for me.


You’re too strong, and far gone I’ll keep my composure Just tell me what this is really all about
You have too much control over me, but I'll try to stay calm. Please just tell me what's going on.


I feel you tearing down Castles in my head when we’re in different beds
Even though we're not physically together, you still have a strong influence over my thoughts and emotions.


I’m sideways, can I say You pull me to pieces Just tell me your secrets Come on
I'm so confused and vulnerable around you. Please open up to me.


For what it’s worth I’m most concerned with How you got me here in the first place
I'm trying to figure out how I fell for you so hard and why I can't shake you off.


When I’m a world away, somehow you come find me Too close to stay on track, tossing and turning back
You have a way of reaching me even when we're apart. It's hard to keep my distance from you.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALEX GASKARTH, DEREK DISCANIO, EVAN ABROSIO, MICHAEL GREEN, RYAN GRAHAM, TYLER SZALKOWSKI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Billybob puntman

I'm 36 and I can say pop punk is alive and well my friends!!!

Anal Fungus

I’m 15 and can say the same thing!

Marc Rock Drummer

I'm 24 and I agree!, Thank you so much to State Champs for make real music and real songs!, Greetings from Barcelona, Spain!!!

Jofel Nistal

I'm 38 and I agree.

tims raindrops

and state champs are the new carrier of the flag, hope the one direction and the vamps fan base won't ruin them

Jeremiah Fernandez

@Goblin The Slayer doesn't care but replies lol

7 More Replies...

The Pop Punker

best song on the record!

Rhogiel Andoy

I love all of the songs on the record!

The Pop Punker

thanks so much Cam you're awesome!

Jritchi94

cut through the static is a hard hitter.

More Comments

More Versions