Bad Guy

Song Meaning of Bad Guy by Billie Eilish

Her music is a commentary on postmodern society, and she is both criticizing and remaking it with her own brand of twisted happiness.

In Bad Guy, Billie makes fun of the guys that fetishize her for their own sexual pleasures. She compares herself to him, a “bad boy” who is rough, tough, and proud. She says that she is like him because she “likes it really rough” and enjoys high sexual appetitie. She goes on to promise that she will upset his mother, make him mad at his girlfriend, and even seduce his dad if the situation calls for it.

Towards the end of the second verse, she admits that she is pleased by the fact that this guy is scared of her. She takes a perverse joy in hearing that someone is afraid of her, even though she knows that she is not in control. She also mentions that she wears his cologne, which could be symbolic of her taking on his identity or influence.

The chorus is a stanza in which the lyrics turn dark and menacing. There is a dramatic shift in instrumentation to a minimal arrangement of snaps and claps, but the lyrics remain dark. The use of the slang word "duh" is a clear indication that Billie is using playful sarcasm and is not taking her role seriously.

In the lyrics, Eilish taunts someone for being a bad guy while suggesting that she is more resilient than he is. Eilish wrote "Bad Guy" with her brother and the producer.

It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and at the top of 16 other foreign charts, including those in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It also topped the US Billboard Hot 100.

Bad Guy lyrics by Billie Eilish

White shirt now red, my bloody nose

Sleeping, you're on your tippy toes

Creeping around like no one knows

Think you're so criminal

Bruises on both my knees for you

Don't say thank you or please, I do

What I want when I'm wanting to

My soul? So cynical

So you're a tough guy

Like-it-really-rough guy

Just-can't-get-enough guy

Chest-always-so-puffed guy

I'm that bad type

Make-your-mama-sad type

Make-your-girlfriend-mad type

Might-seduce-your-dad type

I'm the bad guy, duh

I'm the bad guy

I like it when you take control

Even if you know that you don't

Own me, I'll let you play the role

I'll be your animal

My mommy likes to sing along

With me but she won't sing this song

If she reads all the lyrics

She'll pity the men I know

So you're a tough guy

Like-it-really-rough guy

Just-can't-get-enough guy

Chest-always-so-puffed guy

I'm that bad type

Make-your-mama-sad type

Make-your-girlfriend-mad type

Might-seduce-your-dad type

I'm the bad guy, duh

I'm the bad guy, duh

I'm only good at being bad

Bad

I like when you get mad

I guess I'm pretty glad

That you're alone

You said she's scared of me?

I mean

I don't see what she sees

But maybe it's 'cause I'm wearing your cologne

I'm a bad guy

I'm, I'm a bad guy

Bad guy, bad guy

I'm a bad guy