Maxwell – Bad Habits Lyrics

Maxwell · Black

R&B

I want, I want it, lady
Lately, lady
Make me crazy, don't speak no sound
I want you to prove it to me in the nude
Addicted to the way you move
Honey, if anything ever should change in you
Don't worry, I'm standing still
I'm moving with the right will

This is the highest cost
Take you and make you off
Love you and leave you lost
Will you forgive me?
Asked out all over town
Drags you and keeps you down
Two times in a day, around
Will you forgive me?

I can't control the feeling
Girl, 'cause I know you're here
I feel you from the floor to the ceiling
Girl, I feel you when you comb your hair
Lady, when we lock it low (ah, ah)
We get together, it's an overdose
I'm slippin', I'm here, I'm on my knees
I feels my heart's about to explode

This is the highest cost
Take you and make you off
Love you and leave you lost
Will you forgive me?
Asked out all over town
Drags you and keeps you down
Two times in a day, around
Will you forgive me?

Baby, to tell the truth
When I'm sober I jonesin' for you
When it's over, I'm overdue (huh)
Girl, there's no one as bad as (no one as bad as you)
You got me, you got me, you got me
Slippin' around with it, around with it, for awhile (oh my)
You got me sick with this love, baby
I'm so, I'm so in love, I can't come down

This is the highest cost, oh
Take you and make you off
Love you and leave you lost (baby)
Will you forgive me? (Will you forgive me?)
Asked out all over town (ah)
Drags you and keeps you down (and I know)
Two times in a day, around
Will you forgive me?

You're my bad habit baby
Me, oh my, you're taking my soul
Down to the letter O
Can't escape the way you got me locked up, baby
I gotta break from you, break from you
Break from you

This is the highest cost
Take you and make you off
Love you and leave you lost
Will you forgive me?
Asked out all over town (asked out)
Drags you and keeps you down (oh)
Two times in a day, around (ooh)
Will you forgive me?

Will you forgive me? (Ooh)
Will you forgive me? (Yeah)
Will you forgive me?
Will you forgive me? (Yeah)
Asked out all over town
Drags you and keeps you down
Two times in a day, around
Will you forgive me?

I can't control the feelin' (feelin', feelin', feelin', feelin'), huh-uh
I can't control the feelin' (feelin', feelin', feelin', feelin') ha, ha
I can't control the feelin' (feelin', feelin', feelin', feelin', feelin')
I can't control the feelin' (feelin', feelin', feelin', feelin')

In my soul, soul (feel it, feel it, feel it)
In my soul, soul (ooh)

About This Song

"Bad Habits" is a sensually charged R&B track that explores the intoxicating and destructive nature of passionate love, where Maxwell confesses to being helplessly addicted to a lover despite knowing the relationship causes pain. The song delves into themes of obsession, forgiveness, and the cyclical nature of toxic romance, with lyrics that acknowledge harmful patterns while expressing an inability to break free from them. Musically, it showcases Maxwell's signature neo-soul style with smooth, atmospheric production that mirrors the song's emotional complexity through sultry melodies and intimate vocal delivery. The track stands out for its raw honesty about love's darker impulses, capturing the paradox of craving someone who brings both ecstasy and suffering. It exemplifies Maxwell's ability to transform personal vulnerability into universally relatable art, making it a standout piece in his catalog that resonates with anyone who has experienced the pull of an irresistible but damaging relationship.

Comments (31)

Anonymous 2009-07-17 11:08:00

It sounds to me like this girl put it on him and bout drove him crazy. I can relate becuase I am living these lyrics. Man!
Anonymous 2009-08-05 09:37:00

I'm just speechless. Maxwell you have out done yourself again! Your one bad ass brother. Keep doing your thing. Keeping it Real .....
Anonymous 2009-08-17 17:50:00

luv "bad habits". the music is hot and seductive. the "pretty wings" lyrics is an example of if you luv someone let them go if they return it was meant to be. i just luv maxwell!
Anonymous 2009-08-28 06:32:00

Maxwell u&#039r such a darlling ,lUv this song u can never go wrong with him. he&#039s the man!!!!!
Anonymous 2009-09-11 09:00:00

once again a masterpiece by The Master Piece...Maxwellyou know how to do the damn thing!!!!!
Anonymous 2009-09-15 07:02:00

Oh my God. This song is awesome. I wonder is there someone out there that feels this way for me?
Anonymous 2009-09-15 18:02:00

I love the cd all of it .................. bad habits, cold. Pretty wings............... love you that's my shit
Anonymous 2009-10-03 13:48:00

best song ever maxwell is awesome. i personally think is better than pretty wings although i love pretty wings just as much
Anonymous 2009-10-16 13:53:00

Glad to know I'm not the only one that's been addicted to someone. Maxwell hit it right on the head. Withdrawals when you're away and jitters when you know u're gonna get another "hit"..
Anonymous 2009-11-02 17:20:00

OMG! This song is the lyrics to my nights! It makes me hot for that someone (I can no longer have) everytime I hear it. Damn!
Anonymous 2009-11-05 22:56:00

Wow. This song was ripped out of my thoughts! I think that everyone has that someone that they will always feel this way about, even if you get married, that person will always be at the edge of your mind.
Anonymous 2009-11-12 14:33:00

OMG! This song has touched my soul, I love "BAD HABIT" I'm living it! In love with this man I can't have, he put it on me, and know I need him more than ever.
Anonymous 2009-11-23 01:26:00

i listed to this song 1000 xxx trying to break my bad habit . Maxwell is "singing my life with his words " !!
Anonymous 2009-11-27 13:34:00

Im so in love with his words in this song! It takes me away in my thoughts.... lol great song would make a great single!
Anonymous 2009-12-04 22:42:00

sure i cant control the feeling is allways there!!!! but he is gone sing it maxwe;;
Anonymous 2009-12-05 00:54:00

This brother knows about the power of the P---y. It can control you and leave you helpless because you have got to have it and the more you get it the more you want it. maxwell knows how to combine the music and words together to form a masterpiece.
Anonymous 2009-12-05 14:29:00

Needless to say this is the ringtone for my "Bad Habit"...lol. Maxwell....DAMN! This song is the truth
Anonymous 2009-12-24 17:59:00

i thank god that maxwell made this song this one boy is my bad habit and he will be forever no-no and net net
Anonymous 2009-12-26 22:35:00

This song speaks to my soul, I'm living these lyrics right now. Maxwell takes you to that other world, I luv this song and his entire CD.
Anonymous 2010-01-14 11:50:00

I read all the above post and no one has come to the realization that he is talking about cocaine. And, like me it's probably because you have never experienced drugs, but if you let someone who has break it down for you it's deep. And, it actually made more sense to me because the lyrics were too, too extreme for a relationship. Don't get me wrong, I've been in and am in ga-ga love, but this song was different. Just think about it.......you may or may not agree, but think about it......
Anonymous 2010-02-27 03:02:00

the music harks back to the sweet sounds of earth wind and fire. but the lyrics make me sad
Truth Messiah 2010-03-02 19:24:00

This song is like many others. HAS ANYONE REALLY READ THE LYRICS, (yea other songs to please research all song, every song has a meaning). What Maxwell is reffering to is the DEVIL (he sold his sold) Cee: You're my bad habit baby You're mine, you're taking My soul down to level Can escape the way you got me locked down baby I gotta break from you, Break from you Break from you. He's saying he can get away from the devil beacuse he sold his soul/ Why do you think he keeps asking for forgiveness? But on the other hand he said he "I cant control the feel"/ but he like it, & he knows it wrong. See do a little research. Will you continue to support artists that worships the Devil? I won't. Here's a few more Artist: Lil Wayne (She on Fire), Jay-Z (Lucifer/ohters), Rihanna(umbrella/others), Eminem (plenty of songs), Diddy (Angels Calling), Kid Cutty(Persuit of Happiness) ,Chris Brown(Fallen Angel) Babe (no songs but all his tatoos show it. (WHY YOU THINK MANNIE FRESH LEFT)there are plenty of artist too. Start paying close attention to these artist video's they have signs in them. If you think these Artist tatoos are just normal tats nope they all have the mark of the breast either on their RIGHT hand or forehead aww.. Lil Wayne... Its about to be a New World Order open your eyes. Peace
Anonymous 2010-03-07 18:29:00

I just saw the video and all I can say is...damn. I also lived these lyrics. Had the best passion and connection with someone I couldn&#039t have...and he couldn&#039t have me. Makes me sad, because for the rest of my life I will have live with being someone&#039s bad habit and he mine. Makes me wonder if it was all worth it...and the end of the video it seems like Maxwell and that woman had the mutual respect (kind of like, it happened...it was between us, we must both move on). Well, I intended for it to end the same way, but...I guess I drove him crazy. Now there is mad hate between us, and we think the worst of each other...what was so special became a mistake. I&#039d like to think he still thinks of me from time to time and regrets how he handled things, as do I. If not between us but how we handled the "aftershock." But...guess it is too late for all that now. So people, it may not be worth it. Break the bad habit before you regret sets in...and that regret is a ^@%#$. lol. It was such an awesome feeling, but I fear I can never recreate this in my life now. Probably my punishment. :(
Anonymous 2010-03-22 16:23:00

It's only a video people. Those men that you believe were blown away by your powerful P#@$y were/are actually playing you! Stop being convenient and making it easy and see if they really want to make time for you. Way to go Maxwell, keep the illusion going for them.
taylar 2010-06-18 20:08:00

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!this is really a gud expeirience for me to listen this song.thanks for this b&#039ful song===========taylarOnline Loans with Bad Credit
Anonymous 2011-04-11 12:34:00

He's talking about a drug addiction people, he just used an analogy of a relationship with a woman.
Willson George 2011-06-21 11:38:00

I love maxwell! BAD HABIT SONG! I think it's the best song so far.
Ebony Nichols 2011-06-23 09:41:00

I do not understand these lyrics what so ever.... But I like the song :)
G'Na Lee 2011-07-11 14:43:00

I understand all the talk about the artist worshipping the Devil. Its ultimately up to you if you allow the worldly events taking place to come into your mind body and soul. At the end of the day the songwriters the peformers are artist with a gift take what u need and leave what is not for you. I personally believe the lyrics are based on a very sexual addiction that two people are guilty of fulfilling as often as they crave for satisfaction..not anyone can take u there! Seems like there's alot of love for one another but there's something stopping them from commiting to one another...maybe deceiving another person in this love triangle.
Oliver Ford 2011-07-28 21:28:00

None of his lyrics make any sense. It's his vocal tone that makes his songs!
Yocana Marques 2011-08-03 12:12:00

gosto das musicas dele, i like his songs