Bad Habit

Album

Gemini Rights

Label

RCA Records

Genre

Funk

Composer(s)

Matthew Castellanos;John Kirby;Diana Gordon Fousheé;Steve Lacy

Entered Chart

Jul 16, 2022

Peak Date

Oct 8, 2022

Released

June 29, 2022

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Sony Music Entertainment

Born in Compton, California, to an African-American mother and Filipino father, Steve Lacy first started playing the guitar at 7. He initially gained recognition as the guitarist and co-producer of the neo-soul group The Internet's third studio album, Ego Death. Lacy garnered further accolades for his work for the likes of Kendrick Lamar ("PRIDE."), J. Cole ("Foldin Clothes"), Tyler, the Creator ("911/Mr. Lonely"), and Brent Faiyaz ("Gravity"). He released "Bad Habit" as the second single from his second solo album, Gemini Rights, on June 16, 2022. Throughout much of "Bad Habit," Lacy regrets not making a move for someone who likes him. Towards the end of the song, this person gives him a second chance, and by the outro they get to explore their mutual attraction. Lacy takes the title from the first line of the chorus. I bite my tongue, it's a bad habit Kinda mad that I didn't take a stab at it The phrase "bite your tongue" means to refrain from saying something. Lacy's bad habit of not speaking out kept him from acting on his feelings for this person. Lacy co-wrote "Bad Habit" with Foushee, Diana Gordon, John Kirby, and Matthew Castellanos. New York alt-soul artist Foushée also duets with Lacy on another of his Gemini Rights tracks, "Sunshine." The song originated in a June 2021 session. "The drums were different, the chorus was different," Lacy recalled to Billboard. Later, he played Fousheé his demo and the two wrote the melody for the chorus and the verses. Over the next year, Lacy continued to tweak the track, including adjusting a lyric in the chorus thanks to Tyler, the Creator's feedback. It was originally: I wish I knew you I wish I knew you wanted me Then Tyler told him it would be more memorable if he cut the first "you" out. This multi-format hit became the first song to concurrently top Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot R&B Songs, Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, Hot Rock Songs and Hot Alternative Songs charts. In its 13th week on the Billboard Hot 100 - four of which it spent at #2 – "Bad Habit" dethroned Harry Styles' long running chart-topper "As It Was" to reach the summit. Report an ad More songs from Steve Lacy

I wish I knew you wanted me
I wish I knew
I wish I knew you wanted me
I wish I knew
I wish I knew you wanted me

What you, ooh, uh, what you do?
Made a move, could've made a move
If I knew I'd be with you
Is it too late to pursue?

I bite my tongue, it's a bad habit
Kinda mad that I didn't take a stab at it
Thought you were too good for me, my dear
Never gave me time of day, my dear
It's okay, things happen for
Reasons that I think are sure, yeah

I wish I knew
I wish I knew you wanted me (I wish I knew)
I wish I knew (oh)
I wish I knew you wanted me
I wish I knew (yeah)
I wish I knew you wanted me (oh)
I wish I knew
I wish I knew you wanted me

Please say to me (please, just say to me)
If you still want it
I wish you wouldn't play with me
I wanna know (I wanna know)

Uh, can I bite your tongue like my bad habit?
Would you mind if I tried to make a pass at it?
No, you're not too good for me, my dear
Funny you come back to me, my dear
It's okay, things happen for
Reasons that I can't ignore, yeah

I wish I knew
I wish I knew you wanted me
I wish I knew (wish I knew)
I wish I knew you wanted me (oh)

You can't surprise a Gemini (I wish I knew)
I'm everywhere, I'm cross-eyed-ed (I wish I knew you wanted me)
Now that you're back, I can't decide (I wish I knew)
If I decide if you're invited (I wish I knew you wanted me)
You always knew the way to wow me
Fuck around, get tongue-tied-ed
I turn it on, I make it rowdy
Then carry on, but I'm not hidin'
You grabbin' me hard 'cause you know what you found
It's biscuits, is gravy, babe

You can't surprise a Gemini
But you know it's biscuits, it's gravy, babe
I knew you'd come back around
'Cause you know it's biscuits, it's gravy, babe
Let's fuck in the back of the mall, lose control
Go stupid, go crazy, babe
I know I'll be in your heart 'til the end
You'll miss me, don't beg me, babe