"Bad Karma" is a song from Warren Zevon's 1987 album, Sentimental Hygiene. The song featured R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe on backup vocals, other members from R.E.M. would also perform with Zevon as Hindu Love Gods.
About the Song[]
The song describes a man and his tragically unlucky life, which he ascribes to having collected large amounts of karma in a previous life. The song is a parody of western interpretations of Buddhism and similar eastern religions. It seems similar to another Zevon song on that album, "Trouble Waiting to Happen".
Lyrics[]
Note: the text of this song's lyrics is not under the same copyright license as the wiki's encyclopedic text, it is used under fair use/dealing.
Was it something I did
In another life?
I try and try
But nothing comes out right
For Me
Bad Karma
Killing me by degrees
I took a wrong turn
On the astral plane
Now I keep on thinkin'
My luck is gonna change
Someday
Bad Karma
It's uphill all the way
I can't run, Can't hide
Can't get away
It must be my destiny
The same thing happens to me every day
Bad Karma
Coming after me
Bad Karma
Killing me by degrees
Bad Karma
Bad Karma
Yeah!
It's a dog's life
And it's not my fault
Ought to hang my picture
In the All Time Losers' Hall of Fame
Bad Karma
It's a low down dirty shame
Oh Yeah!
I can't run,
Can't hide
Can't get away
It must be my destiny
The same thing happens to me every day
Bad Karma
Coming after me
Bad Karma
Killing me by degrees
Bad Karma
Bad Karma
