Bad Habit

"Bad Habit" by Steve Lacy is a nuanced exploration of regret, missed romantic opportunities, and the internal battle between self-doubt and confidence. The song's narrative centers on the narrator looking back on a potential relationship that never materialized because he failed to express his feelings. The central theme is the lament of inaction, encapsulated in the opening chorus line, "I bite my tongue, it's a bad habit." This phrase literally means to hold back from saying something, and in the song, it serves as a powerful metaphor for the narrator's failure to confess his attraction due to fear and insecurity.

In the first part of the song, Lacy details the reasons for his hesitation, citing feelings of inadequacy ("Thought you were too good for me, my dear") and a perceived lack of interest from the other person. It's a universally relatable sentiment of "would've, could've, should've," capturing the frustration of hindsight. The repeated line, "I wish I knew you wanted me," is the emotional core of this section, a raw expression of longing for a sign that was either missed or never given.

However, the song undergoes a significant tonal and narrative shift in its second half. The music changes, and so does the lyrical perspective. The crush unexpectedly returns, which empowers the narrator. His timidity transforms into a playful, confident assertion. He cleverly inverts the central metaphor by asking, "Uh, can I bite your tongue like my bad habit?", turning his past failure into a present, flirtatious challenge. This second act is about seizing a second chance, where the narrator sheds his self-doubt and directly communicates his desire. The reference to being a Gemini ("You can't surprise a Gemini") suggests a duality in his nature, capable of both introspection and bold action. Ultimately, the song tells a story of growth, moving from passive regret to active pursuit, capturing the complex emotional journey of navigating attraction and self-confidence.

The narrative unfolds with a profound sense of retrospective longing, a reflection on a romantic opportunity that was missed due to hesitation and insecurity. The protagonist is consumed by the thought of what could have been, replaying scenarios and wishing for the clarity he now possesses. He opens with the core dilemma: if only he had known the other person reciprocated his feelings, he would have made a move. This paralysis, born from uncertainty and a lack of confidence, is the central conflict. He asks himself if it’s now too late to try and pursue this connection, a question that hangs heavy with the weight of passed time.

This internal struggle is articulated through the metaphor of biting his tongue, which he identifies as a recurring, detrimental pattern—a “bad habit.” He’s angry with himself for not taking a chance, for not “taking a stab at it.” His inaction was fueled by self-doubt; he placed the object of his affection on a pedestal, believing they were “too good” for him and assuming they never gave him the time of day. Despite the sting of this missed chance, there’s a hint of fatalism, a self-soothing acceptance that “things happen for reasons that I think are sure.” Yet, this rationalization is immediately undercut by the raw, repetitive plea: “I wish I knew you wanted me.” This refrain becomes a mantra of his regret, echoing the depth of his yearning.

As the song progresses, a significant shift occurs. The narrative is jolted by a change in circumstance—the person of interest has returned. This re-emergence flips the power dynamic and the protagonist’s internal monologue. The timid regretfulness morphs into a bolder, more direct approach. He playfully yet earnestly asks, “Can I bite your tongue like my bad habit?” This clever twist of the central metaphor transforms his past inaction into a present, sensual invitation. He now questions his previous assumptions, wondering aloud if they were ever really “too good” for him. The irony of their return is not lost on him, as he finds it “funny” they’ve come back. The second half of the song pulses with this newfound confidence. The quiet, introspective beat gives way to a more assertive and vibrant soundscape. He references his Gemini nature, suggesting a duality and an inability to be surprised, yet he admits that their return has left him unable to decide, highlighting the lingering complexity of his feelings. The song concludes on a more confident, almost seductive note, fantasizing about what a relationship would be like and assuring them that choosing him would be the right decision, a complete reversal from the timid uncertainty that defined the song's beginning.

"Bad Habit" was released on June 29, 2022, as the second single from Steve Lacy's sophomore studio album, Gemini Rights. The song's creation was a gradual process that evolved significantly over the course of a year. Lacy began writing it in 2021 after signing with RCA Records, and he identified it as a creative turning point for the album. He laid down the initial beat in June 2021 using a pre-existing drum pattern. In an interview, Lacy explained that he often works as a producer first, creating fully structured tracks with melodies and harmonies before adding lyrics, and this was the case with many songs on the album.

The song underwent substantial changes from its first version, which was more stripped-down and acoustic-based. Over the following year, it received crucial writing contributions from vocalists Fousheé (who also provides background vocals) and Diana Gordon, as well as from John Kirby and Matthew Castellanos. The final version was produced solely by Lacy and was completed just a week before the entire album was submitted to the record label. Neal Pogue mixed the track, and Mike Bozzi handled the mastering.

An interesting anecdote involves fellow artist Tyler, the Creator, who suggested a small but impactful lyrical tweak. The post-chorus was originally "I wish I knew you / I wish I knew you wanted me." Tyler suggested removing the first "you" to make the line "more memorable," resulting in the final, iconic hook. The album Gemini Rights marked a shift in Lacy's production style; whereas his earlier work, like Steve Lacy's Demo, was famously created entirely on his iPhone, this album was recorded in a more traditional studio setting.

"Bad Habit" features a simple and effective rhyme scheme that enhances its conversational and direct lyrical style. The chorus primarily uses a couplet structure (AABB), as seen in "I bite my tongue, it's a habit / Kinda mad that I didn't take a stab at it" and "Thought you were too good for me, my dear / Never gave me time of day, my dear." This straightforward rhyme scheme makes the lyrics catchy and easy to follow, contributing to the song's earworm quality.

Rhythmically, the song operates at a moderately fast tempo of around 169 BPM but maintains a relaxed, laid-back feel, characteristic of the bedroom pop and lo-fi genres. The drum pattern is consistent and looped, providing a steady, head-nodding groove without complex fills, which places the focus on the harmonic and melodic elements. The song's most significant rhythmic feature is the dramatic beat switch in the second half. This transition moves from the initial mellow groove to a more energetic and danceable rhythm, creating a dynamic shift that mirrors the lyrical evolution from introspection to confident action. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is fluid; Lacy's vocal delivery is relaxed, often slightly behind the beat, which contributes to the song's overall chill and effortless vibe.

"Bad Habit" is characterized by its distinctive blend of musical and literary techniques that create a unique, genre-defying sound. Musically, the song is a prime example of bedroom pop and lo-fi R&B, built around a slightly warped, catchy guitar riff, a funky bassline, and straightforward drums. A defining feature is its structural shift; the track is split into two distinct sections. The first half is mellow and introspective, while the second half introduces a beat switch to a more upbeat, confident, and synth-driven arrangement, mirroring the lyrical shift from regret to confidence. Lacy's vocal performance is notable for its use of falsetto, particularly in the intro and post-chorus, which lends an air of vulnerability and yearning to the track. The production has a deliberately DIY, slightly unpolished feel, a hallmark of Lacy's style, even though it was mixed by the renowned Neal Pogue.

Lyrically, the song employs a direct, conversational narrative voice that makes its themes of regret and desire highly relatable. The central literary device is the extended metaphor of "biting my tongue," which is cleverly inverted in the second chorus to signify a change in the narrator's mindset. Repetition is used effectively in the post-chorus hook, "I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me," transforming the line into a memorable and emotionally resonant mantra of longing. The reference to being a "Gemini" adds a layer of astrological symbolism, hinting at the narrator's dual nature and complexity. The song's composition avoids overly complex harmonies or rhythms, instead relying on the strength of its melody, relatable lyrics, and the impactful structural shift to engage the listener.

"Bad Habit" achieved phenomenal cultural influence, largely propelled by its viral success on the social media platform TikTok in July 2022. Both the original and fan-made sped-up versions of the song became soundtracks to hundreds of thousands of videos, showcasing its broad appeal across various trends. This viral popularity translated into massive commercial success, making it Steve Lacy's breakout solo hit.

The song marked Lacy's first-ever entry on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 100 and eventually climbing to the number one spot in October 2022. This made it only the 12th song in history to make the full 100-to-1 climb. "Bad Habit" set a historic precedent by becoming the first song to simultaneously top five different Billboard charts across R&B, Hip-Hop, Rock, and Alternative genres, highlighting its unique, genre-defying appeal. It also achieved top-ten status in several countries, including the UK, Australia, and Canada.

Critically acclaimed, "Bad Habit" was named the best song of 2022 by Billboard and received Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Its success solidified Steve Lacy's position as a major artist for Gen Z, moving him from a respected collaborator and member of The Internet to a chart-topping solo star. The song's relatable theme of romantic regret and its catchy, lo-fi production resonated deeply with a young audience, cementing its place as one of the defining musical moments of 2022.

The most prominent metaphor in "Bad Habit" is the act of biting one's tongue. The phrase, which idiomatically means to stop oneself from saying something you want to say, is used by Lacy to symbolize his inability to confess his feelings. He labels this hesitation a "bad habit," suggesting a recurring pattern of behavior rooted in self-doubt and fear of rejection. This central metaphor effectively captures the song's core theme of regret over unspoken words and missed opportunities.

In the song's latter half, Lacy cleverly inverts this metaphor. The line changes from a confession of inaction ("I bite my tongue, it's a bad habit") to a seductive and assertive proposition: "Can I bite your tongue like my bad habit?" This lyrical turn represents a profound shift in the narrator's confidence. He transforms his symbol of regret into a playful, physical, and romantic invitation, signifying his readiness to break his old pattern and seize the second chance he's been given.

The astrological reference, "You can't surprise a Gemini," also functions as a form of symbolism. Geminis are often associated with duality, adaptability, and communication. By invoking this, Lacy suggests a complex personality that, despite his earlier anxiety, is multifaceted and not easily caught off guard. It implies that a part of him always expected a potential shift in the dynamic, even amidst his regret.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Bad Habit" is the post-chorus hook: "I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me." This line functions as the song's central emotional thesis, encapsulating the deep sense of regret and longing for a missed connection. Its constant repetition, often with layered vocals and harmonies, turns it into a haunting mantra that underscores the narrator's fixation on his past inaction. Tyler, the Creator famously suggested editing this line for memorability, highlighting its importance to the song's structure.

Another key recurring motif is the phrase "bad habit" itself. It first appears in the chorus as a self-critical admission: "I bite my tongue, it's a bad habit." This establishes the core conflict of the song – the narrator's tendency to suppress his feelings. The phrase is then brilliantly reprised and inverted in the second chorus: "Can I bite your tongue like my bad habit?" This clever lyrical turn shows a development in the narrator's character, transforming his flaw into a bold, flirtatious move. The repetition with variation marks a pivotal shift in the song's narrative from passivity to active pursuit.

The term "my dear" also recurs in both choruses, first used in a context of insecurity ("Thought you were too good for me, my dear") and then with a sense of ironic confidence ("Funny you come back to me, my dear"), reinforcing the song's narrative arc.