The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Along with Wilson and Pierson, fellow vocalist Fred Schneider, drummer (and later guitarist) Keith Strickland, and guitarist Ricky Wilson (Cindy's older brother) formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. They shared a passion for mixing and matching older styles with a partying, good-time public image, which set them apart from many staid 70s contemporaries.
Their sound is particularly marked by the vocals of Wilson and Pierson, with Kate singing in a slightly deeper voice, along with the generally monotone or spoken-word vocals of Schneider. Aside from their vocals, the band also had a unique New Wave sound that was a combination of 50s and 60s dance music and surf rock, and the unusual guitar-string tunings utilized by Ricky Wilson. Although a clear part of said movement, their music was more experimental than most new wave groups, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synthesizer effects. The B-52's created a quirky dance vibe that became very popular and their tours have been successful for decades.
Website= http://theb52s.com/
Bad Influence
The B-52's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My bad, my bad influence.
Big town holds me back,
Big town skins my mind.
Small minds wear me down,
Spreading salt on fertile ground.
Honest pleasures now forsaken,
Can't accept your difference,
They call it bad influence.
[Chorus]
Free mind, free soul,
It's time for liberation to flow.
Free mind, free soul,
It's time, so let your future unfold.
Call it bad,
My bad, my bad influence.
Break out of the mold before the mold sets in.
Dangerous walls are closin' in.
They twist the truth,
Then give it a spin.
Love's a grenade, I'll pull the pin.
[Chorus]
The circle is wide.
Shadows flower into the light.
Bad influence.
Bad, such a bad influence.
You think I'm bad,
You think I'm bad.
Well I'm the most fun that you ever had.
So good, so good,
But people say I'm a bad influence.
Wide mouths, narrow minds,
Can't accept your difference.
Open season on new ideas,
They call it bad influence.
[Chorus]
My bad, my bad influence.
Just a bad influence.
My bad, my bad influence.
Call it bad,
My bad, my bad influence.
Wide mouths with narrow minds;
Narrow minds, creak and grind.
Rally to a peaceful sound,
Let the barriers tumble down.
My bad, my bad influence.
My bad, my bad influence.
Break out of the mold before the mold sets in.
Dangerous walls are closin' in.
They twist the truth,
Then give it a spin.
If love's a grenade, better pull the pin!
Call it bad,
My bad, my bad influence.
The B-52's song "Bad Influence" speaks about the challenges and frustrations of living in a big city that stifles creativity and individuality. The singer feels trapped by narrow-minded people who cannot accept those who are different from the norm. They are constantly judged and criticized for their unconventional behavior, leading them to be labeled as a bad influence. The song encourages listeners to break out of the mold and embrace their unique qualities, despite the obstacles they may face.
The lyrics reflect the struggles of artists and free spirits who are often misunderstood and targeted by mainstream society. The chorus urges people to liberate themselves from societal norms and embrace a free mind and soul. The lines "The circle is wide, Shadows flower into the light" suggest that there is hope for those who are perceived as bad influences. The song also touches on the theme of love as a dangerous yet liberating force - "Love's a grenade, I'll pull the pin."
Overall, "Bad Influence" is an anthem for those who refuse to conform and face backlash for their individuality. It encourages listeners to embrace their uniqueness and not let societal norms hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Call it bad,
Acknowledging that some people may view the singer's actions as negative or harmful.
My bad, my bad influence.
Taking responsibility for the perceived negative impact of the singer's actions and attitude on others.
Big town holds me back,
The setting of the 'big town' is a constraining and oppressive environment for the singer.
Big town skins my mind.
The 'big town' is dulling and reducing the artist's intellectual ability and imagination.
Small minds wear me down,
The close-mindedness and intolerance of others around the artist are burdensome and tiring.
Spreading salt on fertile ground.
Those with narrow perspectives are harming and eroding a promising and promising environment or situation.
Honest pleasures now forsaken,
The singer has had to give up authentic and enjoyable experiences due to social pressure and judgment.
Drastic measures to be taken.
The artist is willing to make substantial changes in their life to escape the oppressive environment and attitudes.
Can't accept your difference,
The artist is being judged and rejected for being different from the mainstream or norm.
They call it bad influence.
The judgments and condemnation of the artist's behavior are being attributed to their influence on others.
[Chorus]
A call to action for freedom of thought, expression, and action.
Free mind, free soul,
An articulation of the desired state of mind of the artist and others like them.
It's time for liberation to flow.
The need to break free from the oppressive and judgmental attitudes of the society and allow for individuality and creativity to flourish.
Break out of the mold before the mold sets in.
The necessity of avoiding becoming a product of limitations and norms imposed by others.
Dangerous walls are closin' in.
The walls of intolerance and judgment are threatening the individuality and freedom of the singer and others.
They twist the truth,
Those who seek to limit and oppress others are manipulating the facts to support their oppressive view of the world.
Then give it a spin.
They spread their lies to a wider audience to encourage conformity to their views.
Love's a grenade, I'll pull the pin.
The singer is willing to take a radical action in favor of love, despite its potential destructive impact.
The circle is wide.
The possibilities for the singer's life and actions are broad and open.
Shadows flower into the light.
Even in darkness and negativity, there is potential for growth and positivity.
Bad influence.
The challenging and unconventional behaviors and ideas of the artist and others may be viewed as 'bad' by those who can't accept deviation from the norm.
Bad, such a bad influence.
Reinforcing the notion that the artist's influence is perceived as negative by others.
You think I'm bad,
Acknowledging that others view the singer in a negative light.
You think I'm bad.
Repeating the previous line for emphasis, and challenging the judgments of others.
Well, I'm the most fun that you ever had.
Asserting the positive qualities and impact the singer has, despite being criticized by others.
So good, so good,
Reiterating the positive qualities and actions of the singer.
But people say I'm a bad influence.
Repeating the perception of others that the singer has a negative impact, and challenging the validity of that view.
Wide mouths, narrow minds,
Highlighting the hypocrisy and paradox of those who are critical and intolerant of others' differences.
Can't accept your difference.
Reiterating the inability of the society to tolerate or appreciate individuality.
Open season on new ideas,
The environment of the society is open to expressing criticism, disapproval, and ridicule of unique and unconventional ideas and behaviors.
They call it bad influence.
Repeating the attribution of perceived negative influence to the singer and those like them.
My bad, my bad influence.
Reiterating the acceptance and ownership of perceived faults and negative influence by the artist.
Just a bad influence.
Reinforcing the idea that the artist's behavior and practices are viewed as negative and harmful by others.
My bad, my bad influence.
Repeating the acceptance and embrace of the perceived negative influence of the artist.
Call it bad,
Reiterating the need to label and categorize behavior very simply as 'good' or 'bad'.
My bad, my bad influence.
Repeating the ownership and acceptance of perceived negative influence by the artist, regardless of social disapproval.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FRED SCHNEIDER, KATE PIERSON, KEITH STRICKLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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