Steve Lacy is one of the most talented and versatile musicians of his generation.
He has gained recognition as the guitarist of the alternative R&B band the Internet, as well as a solo artist and a producer for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Solange, and Vampire Weekend.
His debut EP, Steve Lacy’s Demo, released in 2017, showcased his unique musical style that blends elements of funk, jazz, indie rock, and psychedelic soul.
One of the standout tracks from the EP is Dark Red, a song that explores the fear of losing a lover and the desperation to hold on to them.
Let us take a deep dive into the lyrics of Dark Red and examine how they reveal Lacy’s emotional core and impact.
Steve Lacy: The Multi-Talented Musician
Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya was born in Compton, California, on May 23, 1998, the son of an African-American mother and Filipino father.
He grew up sheltered by his mother, who wanted to protect him and his sisters from the environment at the time in Compton.
Steve Lacy developed an interest in the guitar at the age of seven through the video game Guitar Hero, but soon wanted to learn how to play on an actual guitar.
He met Jameel Bruner, his future bandmate, on the Internet while in the jazz band at high school.
His first songs were produced and performed on his iPhone, using a plug-in for his guitar called an iRig.
In 2013, he began a producing role on what would become the Internet’s third studio album, Ego Death.
The album was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards and received critical acclaim for its fusion of neo-soul, funk, and hip-hop.
Steve Lacy also contributed vocals and guitar to several songs on the album, such as Just Sayin’/I Tried, Girl, and Special Affair.
Steve Lacy’s work with the Internet led him to collaborate with other artists such as Frank Ocean, Tyler, The Creator, J. Cole, Kali Uchis, Mac Miller, and more.
He also started working on his own solo material, which he recorded mostly on his iPhone.
In February 2017, he released his self-produced debut EP, Steve Lacy’s Demo, which consisted of six songs that he described as “song sketches.”
The EP received positive reviews from critics and fans alike for its lo-fi aesthetic and eclectic influences.
The Making of Dark Red
One of the songs from Steve Lacy’s demo is Dark Red, which Lacy wrote when he was 17 years old.
The song was inspired by a relationship he had with a girl who he thought was cheating on him. He told Genius:
I was just really paranoid because I really liked this girl at this time. And I don’t know if she liked me back or not because she was just doing some weird stuff that made me think she didn’t like me back.
The song reflects Lacy’s insecurity and anxiety about losing his lover to someone else. He said:
It’s just me being paranoid about her leaving me for someone else or just leaving me in general.
Steve Lacy produced and recorded the song on his iPhone using GarageBand and an iRig.
He played all the instruments himself, including guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard. He also layered his vocals to create harmonies and background vocals. He said:
I did everything myself. I played everything myself. I recorded everything myself.
The song was released as part of Steve Lacy’s demo on February 24, 2017.
It received positive feedback from listeners and critics for its catchy melody, smooth production, and relatable lyrics.
It also became one of Lacy’s most popular songs on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Analysing the Dark Red Lyrics
The Dark Red lyrics are simple but effective in conveying Lacy’s emotions and thoughts about his relationship.
The song consists of two verses, a chorus, and a bridge. Let’s take a look at each section and see what it means.
Verse 1
Something bad is ’bout to happen to me
I don’t know what, but I feel it coming
Might be so sad, might leave my nose running
I just hope she don’t wanna leave me (Babe)
In the first verse, Dark Red lyrics allude to a premonition that something bad is going to happen to him.
He doesn’t know the exact reason, but he can feel it in his veins, implying that he has a strong intuition or a physical sensation of dread.
He repeats the same lines twice, emphasising his anxiety and uncertainty.
Chorus
Don’t you give me up, please don’t give up
On me, I belong, with you, and only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you
In the chorus, Steve Lacy pleads with his lover not to give up on him or their relationship.
He tells her that he belongs with her and only her, and he calls her by various terms of endearment such as my girl, babe, and darling.
He also repeats the word “only” several times, showing his exclusivity and devotion to her. He sounds desperate and afraid of losing her.
Verse 2
Something bad is ’bout to happen to me
Why I feel this way? I don’t know, maybe
I think of her so much, it drives me crazy
I just don’t want her to leave me (Babe)
In the second verse, the Dark Red lyrics evokes the fear of something bad happening.
He wonders why he feels this way, and he suggests that maybe it’s because he thinks of her so much that it drives him crazy.
He implies that he is obsessed with her and that he can’t imagine life without her.
He repeats the line “I just don’t want her to leave me“, showing his attachment and dependency on her.
Bridge
What if she’s fine? It’s my mind that’s wrong And I just let bad thoughts linger for far too long What if she’s fine? It’s my mind that’s wrong And I just let bad thoughts linger for far too long
In the bridge, Lacy considers the possibility that she’s fine and that it’s his mind that’s wrong.
He wonders if he’s just letting bad thoughts linger for far too long, meaning that he’s overthinking and worrying about things that may not be true.
He questions his own perception and judgement, and he admits that he may be paranoid and insecure.
The Impact of Dark Red
Dark Red is one of Lacy’s most successful and influential songs. It has been streamed over 100 million times on Spotify and over 70 million times on YouTube.
It has also been certified platinum by the RIAA. The song has resonated with many listeners who can relate to Lacy’s feelings of love, fear, and doubt.
It has also inspired many covers and reinterpretations by other artists, such as Kehlani, Mac Ayres, Jorja Smith, and more.
The song has also influenced Lacy’s subsequent work, as he has continued to explore themes of love, loss, identity, and sexuality in his music.
His debut studio album, Apollo XXI (2019), earned him a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
That same year, he was featured on the single Sunflower by Vampire Weekend. His second studio album, Gemini Rights (2022), peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart.
The album spawned the single Bad Habit, which became Steve Lacy’s first song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after going viral on TikTok.
Conclusion
Dark Red is a song that showcases Steve Lacy’s talent and versatility as a musician and songwriter.
This song reveals his emotional core and impact as an artist and a person.
It is a song that captures the essence of love and fear in a simple but effective way and has touched millions of hearts and minds around the world.
You might also like:
- Unravelling Call Out My Name by The Weeknd: A Lyrical Journey Through Heartbreak
- Willis I Think I Like When It Rains: A Deep Dive into the Lyrics and Meaning
- Miguel’s Sure Thing: A Deep Dive into the Lyrics, Inspiration, and Impact of a Timeless Love Anthem
- The Enduring Resonance of Keyshia Cole’s Love: A Deep Dive into Its Lyrics, Meaning, and Impact
Steve Lacy Dark Red Lyrics
Verse 1
Something bad is ’bout to happen to me
I don’t know what, but I feel it coming
Might be so sad, might leave my nose running
I just hope she don’t wanna leave me (Babe)
Chorus
Don’t you give me up, please don’t give up
On me, I belong, with you, and only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you
Verse 2
Something bad is ’bout to happen to me
Why I feel this way? I don’t know, maybe
I think of her so much, it drives me crazy
I just don’t want her to leave me (Babe)
Chorus
Don’t you give me up, please don’t give up
On me, I belong with you, and only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you
Bridge
What if she’s fine?
It’s my mind that’s wrong
And I just let bad thoughts
Linger for far too long
What if (If) she’s fine? (Fine)
It’s my mind that’s wrong
And I just (Just) let bad thoughts (Thoughts)
Linger for far too long
Chorus
Don’t you give me up, please don’t give up
On me, I belong, with you, only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you, babe
Only you, my girl, only you, babe
Only you, darling, only you
