Songfacts®:

• In "Bad Reputation," Freedy Johnston is listless and aimless, splitting apart at the seams while hoping that his former flame can love him again despite all his foibles. He confesses that the negative things people say about him are largely true, and he's "been breaking down" for a long time. Yet he's still hoping for love. "Do you want me now?" he desperately asks again and again. We never hear an answer, but the song gives the impression that it's going to be "no."
• This is the opening song on This Perfect World, Freedy Johnston's third studio album and first with a major label (Elektra).
• "Bad Reputation" was Johnston's biggest hit. It appeared on the Hot 100 for 12 weeks and peaked at #54 in February 1995. Throughout his career Johnston was praised by critics like Rolling Stone for being a great songwriter, but he never enjoyed commensurate sales success.
• "Bad Reputation" appeared on soundtracks for two major films. In 1995 it was in the romantic comedy Kicking and Screaming, the directorial debut of Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale and Barbie). In 1996 it was featured in the Farrelly Brothers film Kingpin, starring Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray, Randy Quaid, and Vanessa Angel.
• Death Cab for Cutie recorded "Bad Reputation" for Plans, their breakthrough fifth studio album. The song wasn't included on the main track listing but was instead released as a pre-sale bonus track in the iTunes Store.
• Talking to Q1043 New York, Johnston recounted the first time he heard "Bad Reputation" on the radio. He'd been driving through Wisconsin and stopped to get caffeine. In the store, he heard his song on the radio. It terrified him and filled him with impostor syndrome.