Bad Influence
The Robert Cray Band / Bad Inf Lyrics
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My bad my bad influence
Big town holds me back
Big town skims my mind
Small minds wear me down
Spreading salt on fertile ground
Honest pleasures now forsaken
Drastic measures to be taken
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 song "Bad Influence" by The Robert Cray Band / Bad Inf is a commentary on the difficulties of staying true to oneself and remaining authentic in a society that places so much pressure on conformity. The lyrics are a reflection on the trials and tribulations that come with trying to stay true to oneself, and resisting the societal pressure to conform. The song paints a picture of a world that is full of narrow-minded people, who can't seem to accept anyone who is different from themselves.
The opening lines "Call it bad, my bad my bad influence" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer acknowledges that they are viewed as a bad influence by those around them. They go on to describe how being in a big town can hold them back, how small minds wear them down, and spread salt on fertile ground, which is a metaphor for limiting growth and stifling creativity. The singer then talks about how they must take drastic measures to be themselves and stay true to their identity, which is difficult in a society that doesn't accept differences. The chorus talks about freeing one's mind and soul, and letting their future unfold. The song ends on a positive note, calling for people with narrow minds to rally to a peaceful sound and let the barriers tumble down.
Line by Line Meaning
Call it bad
Label it as negative
My bad my bad influence
I am responsible for the negative impact
Big town holds me back
The city limits my potential
Big town skims my mind
The city distracts my thoughts
Small minds wear me down
Narrow-minded people weaken me
Spreading salt on fertile ground
Doing harm to what has potential
Honest pleasures now forsaken
Genuine joys are abandoned
Drastic measures to be taken
Extreme actions are necessary
Can't accept your difference
Cannot handle uniqueness
They call it bad influence
They consider it negative impact
Free mind, free soul
Mentally and emotionally unrestrained
It's time for liberation to flow
It's time to be free
Break out of the mold before the mold sets in
Escape limitations before they become permanent
Dangerous walls are closin' in
Restrictions are intensifying
They twist the truth
They manipulate facts
Then give it a spin
Then present it as a different story
Love's a grenade, I'll pull the pin
Love is unpredictable. I'll take a chance
The circle is wide
The possibilities are endless
Shadows flower into the light
Darkness transforms into brightness
You think I'm bad
You consider me to be harmful
Well I'm the most fun that you ever had
I'm the most entertaining experience you ever had
So good, so good
Extremely enjoyable
Wide mouths, narrow minds
Speaking without thinking and limited thinking
Open season on new ideas
Accepting new and untested concepts
Just a bad influence
Simply a negative effect
Narrow minds, creak and grind
Small-mindedness causes problems
Rally to a peaceful sound
Unite for peaceful purposes
Let the barriers tumble down
Remove obstacles
If love's a grenade, better pull the pin!
If love is unpredictable, may as well take a risk!
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MICHAEL VANNICE, ROBERT CRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Berk Ç.
I never saw him playing acoustic guitar before, this is amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Michael Keane
😱 please play an acoustic on tour when life resumes. I’m not alone, we all want to see this in person.❤️
CompleteCretin
Such a legend!
About 24 hours ago I was cranking a 1990 blues night gig - Cry For Me, You Belong To Me, Howlin For My Baby, etc. And yeah, I know it was technically an EC gig but it's what introduced me to Mr Cray way back in 1990. Since then I've absorbed as much as possible.
Joe Canzoneri
@CompleteCretin holy cow my introduction to Cray was similar. I was watching some television show- I think it was an EC birthday party? I caught the end- one of those "everyone jams" songs- if I remember correctly, EC soloed first and Cray soloed second or third. I immediately called my brother, who is a guitar teacher, and said, "Wow, this dude just blew Clapton away."
Tiberiu Novac
Wow, now that's somebody that'll kick your heart live! Great new album, take care!
B G
Nice🎶
Jeronimo Zancaner
que maestro!
Sidney Anderson
This is definatly a guy you want to get to know!
Laura Brandenburg
Am swinging along here