Initially formed in 1983, the members came from all around the U.S. Most notably, Kentucky native Sid Griffin who shared most the vocals and guitars with Virginian Stephen McCarthy. The band scored a UK hit with Looking for Lewis & Clark in 1985. The group disbanded in 1987, but reunited to perform at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival and several other major events.
The Long Ryders played their first live dates in the U.S. in more than 20 years when they headlined in 2009 at The Earl in Atlanta, Georgia, and in 2014 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.
On February 15, 2019, The Long Ryders released Psychedelic Country Soul, the band's first album of new material in 33 years.
I Want You Bad
The Long Ryders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you would know that things between us
ain't right
i know you're arms are open wide
but you're a little on the sraight side
i can't lie
Your one vice
is you're too nice
I want you
all tattooed
i want you bad
Complete me
mistreat me
i want you to be bad
If you could only read my mind
you would know that i've been waiting
so long
for someone almost like you
but with attitude, i'm waiting
so come on
Get out of clothes time
grow out those highlights
come around now can't you see
I want you
in a vinyl suit
i want you bad
Complicated
x-rated
i want you bad, bad, bad, bad, bad
bad
Don't get me wrong
i know you're only being good
but that's what's wrong
i guess i just misunderstood
I want you
all tattoed
i want you bad
Complicated
x-rated
i want you bad
I mean it
i need it
i want you bad, bad, bad, bad, bad
bad
really really bad
The Long Ryders's song "I Want You Bad" is a catchy rock song about a person who desires someone who is almost like them but with an attitude, someone who can complete them but also mistreat them. The lyrics suggest that the person's desire is not reciprocated by the person they are interested in because they are "too nice." The repeated phrase "I want you bad" emphasizes the person's strong attraction to the other person, despite their awareness that things between them are not right.
The lines "If you could only read my mind, you would know I've been waiting so long for someone almost like you but with attitude" reveal the person's frustration with their failed attempts at finding someone who fulfills their desires. The lines "Get out of clothes time, grow out those highlights" indicate that the person desires someone who is not afraid to be different and express themselves creatively. The lines "Complete me, mistreat me" reveal the person's self-destructive tendencies and their belief that they need someone who can both fulfill them and hurt them.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Want You Bad" depict a complicated and potentially unhealthy desire for someone who can both fulfill and hurt the person. The repeated phrase "I want you bad" emphasizes the person's strong attraction to the other person, despite their awareness that things between them are not right.
Line by Line Meaning
If you could only read my mind
If you could understand my thoughts
you would know that things between us
you would realize that our relationship
ain't right
is not going well
i know your arms are open wide
I am aware that you are welcoming
but you're a little on the straight side
but you are a bit too conservative
i can't lie
I am not lying
Your one vice
Your only weakness
is you're too nice
is that you are too kind
come around now can't you see
Come to me, don't you see that
I want you
I desire you
all tattooed
in a way that might signify rebellion, non-conformism, or toughness; with tattoos
i want you bad
I want you very badly
Complete me
Make me whole
mistreat me
Treat me badly
i want you to be bad
I want you to act badly
If you could only read my mind
If you could understand my thoughts
you would know that i've been waiting
you would know that I have been waiting
so long
for a very long time
for someone almost like you
for someone who is similar to you
but with attitude, i'm waiting
But with a more rebellious and non-conformist attitude
so come on
So let's go
Get out of clothes time
It is time to take off your clothes
grow out those highlights
Keep those highlights and let them grow longer
come around now can't you see
Come to me, don't you see that
I want you
I desire you
in a vinyl suit
Dressed in a vinyl suit, which might signify toughness or sexiness
i want you bad
I want you very badly
Complicated
Challenging or difficult to resolve
x-rated
Containing explicit sexual content
i want you bad, bad, bad, bad, bad
I want you very, very badly
bad
very badly or with an explicit sexual connotation
Don't get me wrong
Don't misunderstand me
i know you're only being good
I know you are only being kind
but that's what's wrong
But that is the issue
i guess i just misunderstood
I suppose I just didn't understand
I want you
I desire you
all tattoed
In a way that might signify rebellion, non-conformism, or toughness; with tattoos
i want you bad
I want you very badly
Complicated
Challenging or difficult to resolve
x-rated
Containing explicit sexual content
i want you bad
I want you very badly
I mean it
I am serious
i need it
I have a strong desire for it
i want you bad, bad, bad, bad, bad
I want you very, very badly
bad
Very badly or with an explicit sexual connotation
really really bad
Very, very badly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: P Crandon, T Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rafael rubio diaz
Cuando escuche esta cancion por primera vez,los pelos de mis brazos se erizaron de pura emocion.me llego al corazon.como un rayo.This is for me The Long Ryders,man.
Roberto Brandi
I love this song.I love this band.Great sound!!
Beth Fredericks
God, I loved this band!
Jose Luis Faramin Caero
Otra gran banda sin reconocimiento en su dia, eran muy buenos, eso si despues de 30 años nos dejan otra reliquia con su album del 2019, grandes.
Classic Rock Station
Fantastic! A blend of Yardbirds, The Byrds and Ramones!
Sid Griffin
Tom Stevens, our great bass player, is heard from below and he is quite right. The color outdoor shots with the small river (a creek by Kentucky standards) and the interiors in color, both where we mime, were shot at Pete Townshend's studio in Twickenham...or is it actually Richmond? Townshend came by to say hello and Stephen McCarthy, our ace guitarist, asked Pete to be in the video but he politely declined. He was quite hospitable, he was, Pete Townshend. And this was done 1987 as I recall but Tom Stevens knows more than I and may say it was Sept 1986 as we were in Europe then too to tour Spain.
As regards Doug McGrath below he is a totally cool dude. Hi Doug! True West were a brilliant, brilliant Paisley Underground band who were tragically never signed to a major label and who should have been HUGE. They were my g-g-g-generation's answer to Television.
Ashley Black
RIP Tom Stevens.
Digfineline
Sid Griffin please make a stop or three in the Midwest circa 2019. Or just flyover 🐄
tom cass 2.0
is that the same 60's Rick you still use? oh lord I just saw the red B-bender Tele :O
shrew972
One of the greatest covers ever!