Bad Omens, an American rock band from Richmond, Virginia, was founded in 2015 by Noah Sebastian (vocalist, frontman, and producer), Nicholas Ruffilo (guitarist), and Vincent Riquier (bassist).
The track “Like A Villain” by Bad Omens tackles substantial themes, notably the internal conflict between our genuine selves and the personas we project.
In essence, the song tells a story of someone wrestling with emotional turmoil and ultimately choosing to embrace their true self.
Let’s delve into the lyrics to gain a deeper understanding together.
Table of Contents
“Like A Villain” Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1
“Look into my face, then look again
We are not the same, we’re different
To tell your tales and fables
You couldn’t wait
You need a new clean slate without the dents
A place to put your pain, your consequence
When you look into the mirror
Are you even there?”
The first verse explores the theme of duality and deception. The singer talks to his reflection, asserting, “We are not the same, we’re different,” suggesting an underlying disparity between appearance and reality. This hints at the possibility of the singer projecting a facade or false persona to the world.
The reference to “tales and fables” implies a history of storytelling or deceit in the singer’s past. It suggests a need to maintain a positive image despite everyone having a darker side and flaws.
Despite the necessity for a positive image, the singer expresses discomfort with a false self that deviates from his authentic identity. He poses a question, “When you look into the mirror, Are you even there?” highlighting the internal conflict between the projected image and the genuine self.
Chorus
“I don’t wanna know all your secrets ’cause I’ll tell
It’s hard enough being alone with myself
I don’t know how long I’ll be holding on
I know you tried your hardest, I know that you meant it well
But you pushed me to the edge and I slipped and then I fell
I don’t know how long I’ll be holding on”
The chorus shifts the focus to the singer’s emotions. The lines “I don’t wanna know all your secrets ’cause I’ll tell” indicate that the genuine part of the singer is addressing the false persona presented to the audience, expressing a desire to be open and reveal the true self without hiding anything. The genuine self feels a sense of loneliness, unsure of how much longer it can endure.
Despite understanding that the false image was created with good intentions, it has pushed the genuine self “to the edge.” The line “I don’t know how long I’ll be holding on” reveals the singer’s internal struggle as he strives to stay true to himself.
Verse 2
“So write a brand-new page, then write again
I know your act is staged, yet you pretend
All while you’re turnin’ tables
With missing legs
I think you’ve overstayed your welcome in
So go the fuck away, don’t come again
I’ll see your face in the fire
And burn it out”
The second verse delves deeper into the theme of deception and manipulation. The singer urges himself to “write a brand-new page” and “write again,” indicating a desire for personal change and a fresh start. The singer labels the actions of his false self as an “act” and likens his pretense to a staged performance. The phrase “turnin’ tables with missing legs” suggests that the false self’s performances are unstable and unsustainable.
The lines “I think you’ve overstayed your welcome in / So go the fuck away, don’t come again” express the singer’s growing frustration and anger towards the false self, signaling a strong desire for it to exit his life.
The mention of seeing the false self’s face in the fire and burning it out conveys a strong desire to eliminate the painful memories associated with the false self. This suggests a profound wish to rid himself of the emotional burden tied to maintaining a deceptive facade.
Overall Message
“Like A Villain” by Bad Omens delves into the internal struggle between one’s true and false selves. The lyrics often use mirrors and faces to convey the idea of hiding behind masks, driven by fear that our genuine selves might be perceived as “villains” by the world.
This fear of judgment is particularly relatable for artists who frequently navigate the pressure to maintain a positive public image.
In the end, the song encourages listeners to let go of their false personas and embrace a fresh start by authentically expressing themselves, even if their true selves don’t conform to conventional notions of elegance but might be seen as “villainous.”
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.