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Bad Days
The Flaming Lips Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're sorta stuck where you are
But in your dreams you can buy expensive cars
Or live on Mars
And have it your way

And you hate your boss at your job
Well, in your dreams you can blow his head off
In your dreams
Show no mercy

And all your bad days will end
And all your bad days will end
You have to sleep late when you can
And all your bad days will end

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Flaming Lips's song Bad Days are an exploration of escapism and the desire to escape from the mundane and unsatisfactory aspects of everyday life. The opening stanza establishes the idea that the listener is feeling stuck where they are, either physically or emotionally. However, the lyrics suggest that in their dreams, they can live a more glamorous lifestyle, such as owning an expensive car or even living on Mars. The idea of having it one's way in a dream is an enticing prospect when the reality seems bleak.


The second stanza sees the listener taking their dreams to another level by engaging in violent fantasies. In their dreams, they can blow the head off their boss, who they hate in real life. The lyrics suggest that the listener can show no mercy in their dreams, something that they may want to do in real life but cannot. The song presents a sense of freedom that is only available when we are asleep and can dream anything without the fear of consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

You're sorta stuck where you are
You feel trapped in your current situation


But in your dreams you can buy expensive cars
You imagine a life of luxury and wealth where you have everything you desire


Or live on Mars
You even wish for an escape from reality, wanting to live in a completely different environment


And have it your way
You wish you had complete control over your life


And you hate your boss at your job
You despise your current work situation and the people involved


Well, in your dreams you can blow his head off
You entertain violent fantasies to release your anger and frustration


In your dreams
Your imagination provides a temporary escape from reality


Show no mercy
You feel justified in seeking revenge through violent means


And all your bad days will end
You hold onto hope that things will get better and your struggles will eventually come to an end


And all your bad days will end
Repetition of the previous line to emphasize the idea that things will improve


You have to sleep late when you can
You try to make the most of your free time and indulge when you can


And all your bad days will end
Reiteration of the earlier sentiment that life will eventually get better




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL IVINS, RONALD JONES, STEVEN DROZD, WAYNE COYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@thomasbaron5367

"You hate your boss at your job,
But in your dreams you can blow his head off"
I love that line lol

@kreftmaker

In your dreams show no mercy!

@onlyone23km

Yet Edward did something much worse to Stickley in Batman Forever.

@agustinibarrola8614

I really hated my boss...

@onlyone23km

@Agustin Ibarrola I can relate.

@DreamGyrl360

So inappropriate these days but o I love it too

10 More Replies...

@ZergRushJohnny

This was my first Flaming Lips song back at age 5. As much as I love this song, It's hard not to imagine a flying establishing shot of Edward Nigma's studio apartment...

@z-rex6068

Tuwonwon Ikr lol

@onlyone23km

It’s such an innocent scene, even if you knew Edward snapped.

@codym7473

I was also 5. This was my first taste of them as well.

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