Bad Habit

Album: The Dresden Dolls (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • While the lyrics, if taken seriously, would make the song seem like it's about self mutilation and similar activities, it's actually inspired by lead singer Amanda Palmer's bad habit of nail biting. At one point on the Dresden Dolls website there was a letter from an irate mother scolding the songs' creation and how it encouraged young girls to attack their bodies. However, Amanda's response clarified what the song was really about. (Thanks, Ife - Toronto, OR. For more, check out our interview with Amanda Palmer.) >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ife - Toronto, OR. For more, check out our interview with Amanda Palmer.

Comments: 2

  • Cat from CtIt says biting in the first sentence its actually the first word. She makes tons of references to nail biting throughout the song. It could be taken as either. I thought of it as nail biting, to hold yourself back from the things everyone else is asking you to do. biting your nails is a start to self harm, because its a way to cope. and when trying to stop, they tend to do the other things instead. I think she was referencing a lot of things thought the song. Like how people were telling her to be happy. Like how if you just let your nails grow out you can paint them and they can look nice and you will feel better and feel happy. Honestly it gets annoying. My family does the same thing to me with my nails, everything. So I get everything she was saying. But I think the Be happy was a kick at men don't care about nails why should I? I wanna bite mine let me, its not bugging you. I also think it was touching on how other perceive your emotions your going though.
  • Josh from New York, BarbadosWhile the lyrics, if taken seriously, would make the song seem like it's about self mutilation and the like, it's actually inspired by lead singer Amanda Palmer's bad habit of nail biting. At one point on the Dresden Dolls website there was a letter from an irate mother scolding the songs' creation and how it encouraged young girls to attack their bodies. However, Amanda's response clarified what the song was really about. (thanks, Ife - Toronto, OR)

see more comments

Editor's Picks

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New York

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New YorkSong Writing

Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Song Cities

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.