Villains Pt. 1

**"Villains Pt. 1"** is a song by British singer-songwriter Emma Blackery. It is the first track on her debut album, *Villains*, and was released alongside the album on August 31, 2018.

## **Background**

On “Villains Pt. 1”, Emma Blackery describes herself at her lowest point and introduces the themes of her debut album, *Villains*.

Under haunting electropop production, Emma makes her Taylor Swift ‘reputation’ inspiration well known. This song and the rest of the album take production nods to the singer’s sixth album.

Blackery teased the song a week in advance via Instagram saying:

> *"villains pt. 1 went through a lot of changes. it began as a song i wrote for myself to challenge my paranoia and anxiety over a threat made to my life two years ago, and evolved into a declaration of defiance as i turned myself into a monster in order to push everyone away. when you have nobody, nobody can break your heart. this song embodies me at my most angry, confused, hurt, and begins our journey into VILLAINS. seven days to go."*
>
>

On the back of the vinyl-album artwork, the tracklist has little messages explaining who each song is directed towards. To Emma, this is: ‘For my captor.’

## **Lyrics**

**[Verse 1]**

I am a maverick

Built to create, designed to destroy

And I am the quiver in your bones

When you get annoyed

And I am a nightmare

These monsters I hold, I'm bringing them home

And I am the shiver in your lungs

When you're out in the cold

**[Pre-Chorus]**

But my body is bored of being torn apart

And I've done this to myself

So if you're thinking of stealing

The last love I have

Then you're thinking of somebody else

**[Chorus]**

Turn the lights down low

If this is how I go

I'll tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're what turned me into this

So I'll go

I'm better off alone

Run and tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're the reason I've been pulled so low

**[Verse 2]**

Monster, monster

I feel like such a monster

Tell them I've been saved

But the devil walks amongst ya

I'll be the ghost that haunts ya

You see my demons

But you weren't really supposed to

You've got me locked up

But I'm not like you

I'll be my own escape route, you know

I'll get you caught up

Got my attention

I'll make you my victim

**[Chorus]**

Turn the lights down low

If this is how I go

I'll tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're what turned me into this

So I'll go

I'm better off alone

Run and tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're the reason I've been pulled so low

If this is how I go

I'll tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're what turned me into this

So I'll go

I'm better off alone

Run and tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're the reason I've been pulled

**[Bridge]**

I don't feel anything

Cos I became possessed

And obsessed with the idea of revenge

Where you going now?

Everybody's looking at you

Cos you set yourself on fire

Just to light up the room

**[Chorus]**

Turn the lights down low

If this is how I go

I'll tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're what turned me into this

So I'll go

I'm better off alone

Run and tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're the reason I've been pulled so low

If this is how I go

I'll tell them that the VILLAINS on my list

They're what turned me into this

Yeah I know

So welcome to the show

Welcome to the show

Welcome to the show