It’s likely the most moving post-confessional, self-vilification single since at least the 1990s, when Grunge and Radiohead’s “Creep” raised the bar on self-deprecation put to music. “Bad Man” is dynamic with respect to both its melody and its tailoring of voice inflections to fit the line in the lyrics. The melody begins in a mellow space, as Benny Nelson describes loneliness and an understanding as to why he is alone after making the confession.
Just on the other side of the two-minute mark, the tempo jumps, the vocal power intensifies, and the lyrics plunge into introspection. The lyrics demand praise, even if they cause a “good person” to feel uncomfortable. Our favorite verse is:
[While] I don't wanna be here, there’s nowhere else I wanna be
So I guess that means I'm stuck here with my own company
With a bottle in my hand and some guy I can't stand
Who turns out to be me.
The full lyrics are included in this post. However, without the vocal inflections of Benny Nelson, the emotion of the story and the skillfulness in the composition are less apparent. Benny explained that rather than being about any particular moment in his life, “Bad Man” is more "a refection on decisions and actions I've made that I'm not too proud of. Some actions have consequences, and sometimes I felt like I deserved the worst, and it's been really hard for me to not think that when bad things would happen to me."
Benny is originally from Warialda NSW, Australia. He now resides in Sydney.
“Bad Man” by Benny Nelson
Website: http://www.bennynelson.com.au/
Lyrics of “Bad Man” by Benny Nelson
I could really use someone to talk to right now
But I, think I've locked the door
And I've thrown the keys out
It's a Monday night I'm trying to start a fight
Blaming everyone else for the mess I've left behind
Trying to find something else to keep you off my mind
I've really fucked it up this time
I haven't heard from you since I told you what I'd done
But I, think it's important that you spend some time on your own
As soon as I told you, shit hit the fan
I've spent every moment ever since then
Trying to do the best I can, but I understand
If you think I'm a Bad Man
If you think I'm a Bad Man
I am
Walking down the main street with a belly full of beer
Some left in my bottle and my head full of fear
Being a dick to my friends, even worse to myself
Cause I put myself here
While I don't wanna be here, there’s nowhere else I wanna be
So I guess that means I'm stuck here with my own company
With a bottle in my hand and some guy I can't stand
Who turns out to be me
I know how you’re feeling, I don't blame you for that
If I had the chance, I'd go back again and I'd take everything back
Save myself the embarrassment and take back the friend that I had
Cause we'd only just started, so much to learn from you
But it had been so long since I felt the touch of something new
Now I look back at the damage and I guess I took advantage
And I used you, yes I used you
Cause I'm a Bad Man
I'm a Bad Man
I'm a Bad Man
I am
Fill me up, write me off
Write it down as an accidental cause
Cause nothing really matters
After everything I've lost
But if I deserve anything, I don't deserve your heart
Fill me up, write me off
Write it down as an accidental cause
Cause nothing really matters
After everything I've lost
And if I deserve anything, I don't deserve your heart
No I don't deserve your heart
Cause I'm a Bad Man
I'm a Bad Man
Yes, I'm a Bad Man
I am
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