“Bad Romance,” a song that needs no introduction, remains one of Lady Gaga’s most recognizable and celebrated hits. Released in 2009 as the lead single from her second studio album, The Fame Monster, this electropop masterpiece quickly captivated the world with its infectious beat, dramatic vocals, and avant-garde visuals. But beyond the catchy tune and striking imagery, the heart of “Bad Romance” lies in its compelling lyrics, exploring themes of love, desire, and the allure of the unconventional. Let’s delve into the complete song lyrics to understand the story and emotions behind this iconic track.
Bad Romance Lyrics
[Intro]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!
Caught in a bad romance
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!
Caught in a bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ahh!
Ro-mah-ro-mah-ma
Gaga, ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ahh!
Ro-mah-ro-mah-ma
Gaga, ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance
[Verse 1]
I want your ugly, I want your disease
I want your everything as long as it’s free
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love
[Verse 2]
I want your drama, the touch of your hand
I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love
(Love, love, love, I want your love)
[Pre-Chorus]
You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad, bad romance
[Chorus]
I want your loving and I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
I want your loving, all your lovers’ revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
[Post-Chorus]
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ahh!
Ro-mah-ro-mah-ma
Gaga, ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance
[Verse 3]
I want your horror, I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal as long as you’re mine
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love
[Verse 4]
I want your psycho, your vertigo stick
Want you in my room when your baby is sick
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love
(Love, love, love, I want your love)
[Pre-Chorus]
You know that I want you
And you know that I need you (’Cause I’m a free bitch, baby)
I want a bad, bad romance
[Chorus]
I want your loving and I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
I want your loving, all your lovers’ revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance
[Post-Chorus]
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ahh!
Ro-mah-ro-mah-ma
Gaga, ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ahh!
Ro-mah-ro-mah-ma
Gaga, ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance
[Bridge]
Walk, walk, fashion baby
Work it, move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk, fashion baby
Work it, move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk, fashion baby
Work it, move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk, passion, baby
Work it, I’m a free bitch, baby
[Chorus]
I want your loving and I want your revenge
I want your loving, I don’t wanna be friends
[French Interlude]
J’veux ton amour, et je veux ta revanche
J’veux ton amour, I don’t wanna be friends
[Outro]
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!) I don’t wanna be friends
(Caught in a bad romance)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!) I don’t wanna be friends
(Want your bad romance)
Want your bad romance
I want your loving and I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
I want your loving, all your lovers’ revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh! (Want your bad romance)
Caught in a bad romance (Want your bad romance)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh! (Want your bad romance)
Caught in a bad romance
[Post-Chorus]
Rah-rah-ah-ah-ahh!
Ro-mah-ro-mah-ma
Gaga, ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance
Decoding the Bad Romance Lyrics
“Bad Romance” is more than just a catchy pop song; it’s a theatrical exploration of desire and the intoxicating nature of unhealthy relationships. The lyrics paint a picture of someone drawn to the darker, more intense aspects of love, even acknowledging the potential for pain and drama.
The opening lines, “I want your ugly, I want your disease,” are intentionally provocative, highlighting a desire that goes beyond conventional romance. It’s a craving for something raw and real, even if it’s flawed. This theme continues throughout the verses, with Gaga expressing a longing for drama, horror, and even the “psycho” aspects of a partner.
The chorus, with its powerful declaration “I want your loving and I want your revenge,” encapsulates the central conflict. It’s a push and pull between the need for affection and a desire for retribution, hinting at past hurts or a generally tumultuous approach to love. The repeated line, “You and me could write a bad romance,” suggests a self-awareness of the potentially destructive nature of this kind of relationship, yet also an irresistible pull towards it.
The bridge, with its fashion and work references, adds another layer, possibly alluding to the performative aspects of romance and desire within the public eye. The French interlude, “J’veux ton amour, et je veux ta revanche,” reinforces the themes of love and revenge in another language, adding to the song’s global appeal.
Ultimately, “Bad Romance” lyrics resonate because they tap into the complex and often contradictory nature of human desire. It’s a song about being drawn to the intensity of a “bad romance,” even knowing the potential for heartbreak, and finding a strange allure in the chaos. Lady Gaga masterfully uses these lyrics to create a song that is both a personal confession and a universal anthem for those who have ever been caught in the intoxicating web of a complicated love.
