[Crowd Chant Intro] Bad example? Say it louder. Bad example? I heard you. [Verse 1] Mama taught me keep my head up, keep my shoes clean, Sunday dress pressed sharp, gold hoops on the seam. Now I work all week, then I dance all night, and somehow that makes folks nervous when I catch the light. Got a new red dress and a late-night laugh, got a full little life they don’t know the half. They say, “Bri, slow down, good girls stay sweet,” I say, “Good girls got bills and a bassline beat.” I don’t need no sermon from a man at the bar, who calls me trouble then asks where I are. I pay my own tab, I make my own plans, if that’s a bad example, baby, tell all your friends. [Chorus] I’m a bad example, look at me go, heels on the floor, got the whole room low. Too loud, too proud, too much for your taste, I don’t shrink myself just to fit your space. I’m a bad example, that’s what they say, then they copy my walk on the very next day. If freedom look wrong in your little rulebook, baby, turn the page—go on and take a good look. [Verse 2] My auntie sees my pictures, says, “Child, is that you?” I say, “Yes ma’am, same heart, just a better view.” I still call home when the city gets mean, still keep a scripture folded in the pocket of my jeans. But I won’t fake small to make the neighbours feel tall, won’t trade my fire for a seat by the wall. Got my girls in the back with the windows down, singing every word when we ride through town. You can clutch your pearls, you can talk that talk, I’m still gonna swing my hips when I take that walk. Ain’t no crime in loving the woman I became, if I make you uncomfortable, remember my name. [Chorus] I’m a bad example, look at me go, heels on the floor, got the whole room low. Too loud, too proud, too much for your taste, I don’t shrink myself just to fit your space. I’m a bad example, that’s what they say, then they copy my walk on the very next day. If freedom look wrong in your little rulebook, baby, turn the page—go on and take a good look. [Percussion Break] (Handclaps, stomp pattern, brass hits) Too loud? Good. Too proud? Good. [Bridge] I can pray with my hands up high, then wear red and own the night. I can love my people, love my skin, make my own rules and still walk in. Call it bad, call it what you please— I call it breathing easy. [Double Final Chorus / Outro] I’m a bad example, look at me go, heels on the floor, got the whole room low. Too loud, too proud, too much for your taste, I don’t shrink myself just to fit your space. I’m a bad example, that’s what they say, then they copy my walk on the very next day. If freedom look wrong in your little rulebook, baby, turn the page—go on and take a good look. Bad example—look at me go. Bad example—now you know.
