Most friendships don’t last forever. It’s cool when they do, but oftentimes they’re not sustainable. Certain friends get us through certain periods of life, and then we move on. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Losing touch isn’t a sin, and neither is outgrowing a relationship. Obviously it can be painful, but it’s better to ultimately let go of something that is inhibiting your growth.
Sometimes it’s not pretty, and sometimes it’s not just moving on or growing up. Sometimes it’s nasty. Fallings-out are not fun. But they’re a part of life. Eventually, you move on and grow up and grow out of it. But sometimes, the bad blood doesn’t quite dry.
Day 8: Bad Blood – Bastille
Bastille crashed into our lives when their hit single “Pompeii” topped the charts in 2013. I still remember when my brother introduced me to that infectious “eh eh oh, eh oh” riffs and frontman Dan Smith’s clean, boyish vocals. Their first album, “Bad Blood,” is gritty and techno-y. It’s got good bops, like “Pompeii” and “Laughter Lines,” but is has nuance in “Oblivion” and “Things We Lost in the Fire.” The title track, “Bad Blood,” brings it all in with a big bad sound.
We were young and drinking in the park
There was nowhere else to go
And you said you always had my back
Oh, but how were we to know?
At the heart of this song is the regrets of failed friendship. Why can’t we just pick up the pieces and move on? Well, like the age-old moniker, the ones you love the most tend to hurt you the most.
That these are the days that bind you
Together, forever
And these little things define you
Forever, forever
The song plays with the idea of blood brothers – I don’t think this is a romantic relationship Smith is singing about. He’s talking about a childhood friend he had a falling out with. Their blood pact has somehow turned into bad blood.
We can fill in the details because you’ve probably lived it before. Friendships can turn sour, usually because of a vice or hidden ambition or secret. There are lots of people I used to talk to every day that I haven’t seen in a long time. I wouldn’t say there’s “bad blood” for all, but there is for some.
All this bad blood here
Won’t you let it dry?
It’s been cold for years
Won’t you let it lie?
And some grudges just don’t die, for one reason or another. And I get it. When someone does me wrong, it’s hard to get over. I still remember things that people did years ago and feel that pang of bitterness.
The bridge of the song is very interesting. It crashes in unexpectedly, almost like an interruption.
And I don’t wanna hear about the bad blood anymore
I don’t wanna hear you talk about it anymore
I don’t wanna hear about the bad blood anymore
I don’t wanna hear you talk about it anymore
It almost sounds like Smith’s friend is interjecting – sort of an “oh, shut up.” Another characteristic of falling out is completely shutting down and not talking about it. It’s equally as dangerous as blowing up. You might think that by not talking about it, it goes away, but most of us know that’s not the case.
Smith doesn’t come to a conclusion in this song. The tension of the friendship remains as is. And that’s another sad truth of life – sometimes it doesn’t get resolved. That doesn’t mean closure isn’t possible, but it can be a bit of an uphill battle.
If you’re holding something against someone right now, maybe take Smith’s words to heart. If the bad blood has gone cold, what’s the point of hanging onto it? Resolution doesn’t always mean becoming best pals again, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Audrey D. DeBoer 