Criminal
The Elovaters Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Start me up
The way your body move is criminal
The way you stole my heart was robbery
And now you're looking for your getaway

You came in lookin’ like a gun
There was nowhere to run
Ready to blast
Moving too fast
Murder she wrote

Came in with the power
Like a wild child
And it didn’t take long to
Steal that space in my mind

The way you played me was subliminal
I’m coming down and it’s ugly love
But I still want you like my favorite drug
I just want you too much

Start me up
The way your body move is criminal
The way you stole my heart was robbery
And now you're looking for your getaway

Start me up
The way your body move is criminal
The way you stole my heart was robbery
And now you're looking for your getaway


Well I’ll never forget, when that sun set
How it caught me by surprise
When you opened up fire, oh my

And you left me bleeding
With my mind gone
And you didn’t look back
Assassin with the lights on

The way you played me was subliminal
I’m coming down and it’s ugly love
But I still want you like my favorite drug
Out of reach, out of touch

Start me up
The way your body move is criminal
The way you stole my heart was robbery
And now you're looking for your getaway

Start me up

Start me up
The way your body move is criminal




The way you stole my heart is robbery
And now you're looking for your getaway

Overall Meaning

The Elovaters' song "Criminal" is a song about love addiction and the power that the person you love can hold over you. The opening lines, "Start me up, the way your body move is criminal, the way you stole my heart was robbery" immediately set the tone for the song as we are introduced to the idea that the person the singer is singing about is a criminal who has stolen their heart. The use of criminal imagery throughout the song, such as "came in looking like a gun" and "assassin with the lights on," adds to the idea that the love the singer has is dangerous and potentially damaging.


The song is about addiction, both to the person and the feeling. The line "I still want you like my favorite drug" expresses how the love that the singer has for the criminal is all-consuming and addictive. The use of the word "subliminal" suggests that the singer has been manipulated by the person they love, and they are aware of it but can't help their addiction to them. The repeated line "Start me up" throughout the song reinforces the idea that the singer is addicted to this feeling and this person.


Overall, "Criminal" is a powerful song about addiction, love, and the all-consuming power that someone else can have over you.


Line by Line Meaning

Start me up
Begin the song


The way your body move is criminal
The way you move your body is so captivating, it's like a crime


The way you stole my heart was robbery
You took my heart so easily and quickly, it felt like a robbery


And now you're looking for your getaway
Now you're trying to escape or leave


You came in lookin’ like a gun
You entered very forcefully or intensely


There was nowhere to run
I had no escape or way out


Ready to blast
You were prepared to do something drastic or dramatic


Moving too fast
Everything was happening quickly or suddenly


Murder she wrote
This situation seems like it could end in tragedy or violence


Came in with the power
You entered with confidence and control


Like a wild child
You acted impulsively or without restraint


And it didn’t take long to
It was a quick process or transformation


Steal that space in my mind
You took up so much space in my thoughts and feelings


The way you played me was subliminal
You manipulated me in subtle or hidden ways


I’m coming down and it’s ugly love
I'm beginning to see the negative or unhealthy aspects of our love


But I still want you like my favorite drug
Despite the issues, I still crave you intensely


I just want you too much
I desire you so strongly it's almost overwhelming


Well I’ll never forget, when that sun set
I remember when things took a turn for the worse


How it caught me by surprise
It was unexpected and jarring


When you opened up fire, oh my
When you attacked or hurt me emotionally


And you left me bleeding
You hurt me deeply and left me wounded


With my mind gone
I was left feeling confused, lost, or hurt


And you didn’t look back
You didn't care about the consequences or the pain you caused


Assassin with the lights on
You're doing damage in plain sight, without hiding your actions




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Gregory Nectow, James Link, Jackson Wetherbee, John Alves, Derrick Cabral, Nicholas Asta

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@user-kh3he3or6b

Is it that I gave you my heart or that it was straight robbery.
It feels right
Love to hold you so tight..
But am I get away
Or is this real ❤
My heart when I'm near you feels 🎉
The moves you make the way you look at me
The compassion, energy, signs and chem
It's a blessing to rob me for my heart cause no one has loved me the way you do boo



@patriciadelcarmenolan6790

lirics ;
Start me up

The way your body move is criminal

The way you stole my heart was robbery

And now you're looking for your getaway

You came in lookin’ like a gun

There was nowhere to run

Ready to blast

Moving too fast

Murder she wrote

Came in with the power

Like a wild child

And it didn’t take long to

Steal that space in my mind

The way you played me was subliminal

I’m coming down and it’s ugly love

But I still want you like my favorite drug

I just want you too much

Start me up

The way your body move is criminal

The way you stole my heart was robbery

And now you're looking for your getaway

Start me up

The way your body move is criminal

The way you stole my heart was robbery

And now you're looking for your getaway

Well I’ll never forget, when that sun set

How it caught me by surprise

When you opened up fire, oh my

And you left me bleeding

With my mind gone

And you didn’t look back

Assassin with the lights on

The way you played me was subliminal

I’m coming down and it’s ugly love

But I still want you like my favorite drug

Out of reach, out of touch

Start me up

The way your body move is criminal

The way you stole my heart was robbery

And now you're looking for your getaway

Start me up

Start me up

The way your body move is criminal

The way you stole my heart is robbery

And now you're looking for your getaway



All comments from YouTube:

@joeygarza5477

Been on repeat for 2 days already and the sound is still fresh everytime!

@CaPoDiTuTtiCaPi311

On repeat at this very moment. Yess

@ahutch3835

Still on repeat

@elizabethpeatfield6086

ME TOO!!!!!
🎉🎉🎉😅😂🎉❤❤😊😊😊❤❤❤

@kendiederich3256

I cannot stop playing this song, much love l, got them lyrics down for my drive

@danielporter6410

Love love love this cut... thanks guys! Much love from NC!

@Thebeautycryptid

I’m obsessed with this song right now, can’t stop replaying it 😍

@Kcali111

I woke up today and this was the first thing that came into my head. ❤

@jakobfreelemba8620

You guys are going to be huge. Love all your stuff so much. Just keep jamming and be patient. It will happen!

@susanchong4432

Celebrated our second adult date night seeing you guys live in Tacoma ❤ and wow! You guys are so incredible and even more phenomenal live! We were blown away by your group’s talent and performance. You have a beautiful and magical voice. Thank you so much for creating amazing music. It’s heaven to my ears ❤

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