Kristine Flaherty grew up outside of Chicago, devouring her father's classic rock records and staying up late dancing to Parliament-Funkadelic in the living room. It was this same musical open-mindedness that would later spark her artistic development. She found her musical voice in college, fusing the eclectic power of the Bay Area hip hop scene with her own unique presence, inspired by strong, independent female artists ranging from Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill to Fiona Apple and Liz Phair.
On stage, K.Flay is a one-woman whirlwind: whether she’s creating beats, singing, rapping or playing guitar, her wit and acerbic charm shine through. Her talents have led her to share the stage with artists including Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, and 3OH!3, where she quickly won over audiences who hadn’t seen anything quite like her before. Further setting her apart from the pack, she serves as her own producer in the studio, methodically infusing her hip hop swagger with a dose of sonic exploration.
With one mixtape (the genre-hopping MASHed Potatoes) already available online, K.Flay is spending the rest of 2010 recording in San Francisco and touring with Passion Pit in October and 3oh!3 in November.
Bad Vibes
k.flay Lyrics
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Dead on arrival typed out plainly
You only like bad news
Sleep in your coffin like a baby
Beautiful trees outside
Sky is a bright blue, you see storm clouds
Storm clouds
You're an ex prom queen slipping stones in your Doc's
In a circle of people with fun that's illegal
You act like a cop, you're the sequel that sucks
Doors always have their locks
Like, why even try when we're already fucked?
Got your hands on a laptop, face in the mud, just stop
You give me bad vibes, bad times
Bad nights with you
Yeah, I get bad energy
Sick pleasure from you
Rollin' a cigarette
When you know that smoking causes cancer
Say that it's just depressing
When basic girls sing "Tiny Dancer"
Sip all your drinks on ice, no surprise
Your backyard's filled with stray cats
And that's sad
You think it's cooler to have dark thoughts
Never eat ice cream, only take white drugs
In a circle of people without any reason to love
You're a god, I've been screaming a lot
How is the earth so hot?
Like, why even try when it's already fucked?
Got your hands on a laptop, face in the mud, just stop
You give me bad vibes, bad times
Bad nights with you
Yeah, I get bad energy
Sick pleasure from you
You can't drag me down, you can't drag me down
You can't drag me down, you can't drag me down
'Cause I feel good
Yeah, I'm real good
Said I feel good
Damn, I feel good
You give me bad vibes, bad times
Bad nights with you
Yeah, I get bad energy
Sick pleasure from you
You give me bad vibes, bad times
Bad nights with you
Yeah, I get bad energy
Sick pleasure from you
In this song, K.Flay seems to be addressing someone who exudes negative energy and bad vibes. The opening lyrics describe this person's new tattoo that reads "Dead on arrival," revealing their fondness for pessimism and bad news. They also sleep in a coffin, a symbol of death and finality. Despite the beauty of the trees and blue sky outside, this person always perceives things negatively and only sees storm clouds.
The second verse suggests that this person is trying to be cool by being sad and dark. They are an "ex prom queen" who feels powerful by being in control of others, acting like a cop and locking doors. K.Flay suggests that this person is hanging out with people who only engage in illegal activities and have no genuine love for each other. They are selfish and only concerned with their own pleasure, without regard for the consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got a new tattoo
You have recently gotten a new tattoo on your body.
Dead on arrival typed out plainly
The tattoo is of the phrase 'dead on arrival' that is quite visible and clear to read.
You only like bad news
You are only drawn towards negative and depressing news.
Sleep in your coffin like a baby
You sleep in a manner that represents peaceful acceptance of death, like a baby in a coffin.
Beautiful trees outside
The surrounding scenery outside your window consists of beautiful trees.
Sky is a bright blue, you see storm clouds
Although the sky is clear blue, you still focus on the storm clouds that are present.
Storm clouds
You dwell on negative outcomes and events waiting for a storm to hit.
You think it's hot to be sad, but it's not
You may find it attractive to be sad, but it is not a healthy or desirable trait to have.
You're an ex prom queen slipping stones in your Doc's
You were once a popular prom queen who now wears Doc Marten boots and still lives in the past by clinging onto memories that weigh you down.
In a circle of people with fun that's illegal
You surround yourself with people that indulge in activities that are not legally allowed, and you find it engaging.
You act like a cop, you're the sequel that sucks
You behave like a law enforcement officer, but in reality, you lack authority and don't live up to expectations.
Doors always have their locks
You have trust issues and are always wary of those around you, so you keep the doors locked.
Like, why even try when we're already fucked?
You feel like you cannot win, so you don't bother trying at all.
Got your hands on a laptop, face in the mud, just stop
You are using technology and social media to distract yourself from reality, which isn't healthy. You need to stop this habit.
You give me bad vibes, bad times
Being around you makes me feel uneasy and brings me negative experiences and situations.
Bad nights with you
Spending time with you often leads to an unpleasant and depressing experience.
Yeah, I get bad energy
Your presence often causes negative energy and emotions around me.
Sick pleasure from you
Despite the discomfort, sadness, and negativity you bring, there is something addictive and pleasing about it.
Rollin' a cigarette
You are engaged in smoking by rolling your own cigarettes.
When you know that smoking causes cancer
You are aware of the risks associated with smoking, including the high possibility of developing cancer.
Say that it's just depressing
Despite the health risks involved with smoking, you try to justify it as something that is just depressing.
When basic girls sing 'Tiny Dancer'
You find fault with others who like mainstream music and disregard their taste as mediocre.
Sip all your drinks on ice, no surprise
Sipping drinks on ice is a frequent habit of yours and does not come as a surprise.
Your backyard's filled with stray cats
Your backyard is home to many feral cats that have not been adopted.
And that's sad
You acknowledge the sadness of the situation and use it to fit your negative perspective.
You think it's cooler to have dark thoughts
Having negative and depressing thoughts seems more attractive and desirable to you.
Never eat ice cream, only take white drugs
You indulge in drugs and refuse to enjoy simple pleasures like eating ice cream.
In a circle of people without any reason to love
Your friends and acquaintances don't have an essential reason to care about each other, which portrays a meaningless and bleak social life.
You're a god, I've been screaming a lot
You consider yourself superior and might even try to impose your beliefs on others, leading to disagreements and arguments.
How is the earth so hot?
You dwell on negative outcomes and events, wondering how everything could go wrong.
Like, why even try when it's already fucked?
You have given up on your hopes and ambitions because you think that everything is beyond repair.
You can't drag me down, you can't drag me down
You cannot bring me down with your negativity and pessimism.
'Cause I feel good
I am happy and positive despite your efforts to bring me down.
Yeah, I'm real good
I am genuinely satisfied and content in life.
Said I feel good
I am ecstatic and fulfilled with my life's situational and personal circumstances.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kristine Meredith Flaherty, Thomas James Schleiter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind