Bye Bye Badman
The Stone Roses Lyrics

The lyrics to "Bye Bye Badman" by The Stone Roses are a mix of surreal imagery and aggression. The song begins with the lines "Soak me to my skin, will you drown me in your sea of submission, ends and I begin." These lines refer to a sense of surrender to a dominant, controlling force. The following line, "Choke me, smoke the air," continues this theme of submission and control. The singer seems to be in a state of blissful apathy as he takes in the world around him, whether it be "citrus sucking sunshine" or the people he encounters.

As the song progresses, it becomes more aggressive. The lines "Every backbone and heart you break, will still come back for more, submission ends it all" suggest that the singer is tired of feeling like a willing participant in a cycle of control and submission. The chorus, "Bye bye badman ooh bye bye," is a direct challenge to the person or force that has been controlling the singer.

The second half of the song is even more confrontational, with lines like "I'm throwing stones at you man, I want you black and blue, and I'm gonna make you bleed" and "I've got bad intention, I intend to knock you down, these stones I throw, oh these French kisses, are the only way I've found." The sense of control and submission in the first half of the song has turned into a desire for revenge and violent retribution.

Overall, "Bye Bye Badman" is a song that explores power dynamics and control in relationships, both personal and societal. It presents a complex picture of submission and aggression, blurred boundaries, and ultimately, the desire for freedom.