Yesterday, Compton-born singer, songwriter, and producer Steve Lacy returned with the new single “Bad Habit.” The song follows last week’s “Mercury” and is set to appear on Lacy’s upcoming album, Gemini Rights, due out July 15. Gemini Rights will mark Lacy’s first album since he dropped his 2019 debut, Apollo XXI.
Lacy produced “Bad Habit” himself and handled most of the instruments on the track. He co-wrote the song with Britanny Foushee, Diana Gordon, John Kirby, and Matthew Castellanos.
Lyrically, the track is about regret. Specifically, Lacy croons about failing to make his move on a past love interest.
Lacy didn’t know his crush was requited, and on the song’s intro, he implies that knowledge might have changed the way things turned out.
I wish I knew you wanted me
I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me
On the first verse, Lacy elaborates on how he would have done things differently had he known this person was into him.
Made a move, coulda made a move
If I knew I’d be with you
On the hook, we learn about Lacy’s titular bad habit. He bites his tongue—though one could argue his real problem is his tendency to not act on his feelings.
I bite my tongue, it’s a bad habit
Kinda mad that I didn’t take a stab at it
On the second verse, Lacy wonders if this person might give him a second chance.
Please say to me (Please, just say to me)
If you still wanna
He shoots his shot on the next chorus.
Uh, can I bite your tongue like my bad habit?
Would you mind if I tried to make a pass at it?
Lacy and his crush finally get to explore their mutual attraction on the outro.
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
“Bad Habit” arrived alongside a music video, which finds Lacy grooving to the track against a color-changing backdrop.
You can read all the lyrics to “Bad Habit” on Genius now.
