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“10 Songs That Feature Bastard in the Song Title” features the music of Battle Beast, Incubus, Infant Annihilator, Kesha & Tyler, the Creator. 

Swear words have been around for ages.  Lately, in the music industry, the frequency of such words has only increased.  It’s not unusual to see the f-word grace the title of a pop song (“This Summer’s Gonna Hurt Like a Motherf*cker” comes to mind). Also, there are words that aren’t swear words, but not particularly clean either.  While the favored b-word is the one we use when referencing female dogs, there’s also another b-word, bastard.

Like bitch, there’s a more sensible meaning that is the original use of the word.  According to good ole Merriam Webster, a bastard is “an illegitimate child.” Of course, in most cases, when you call somebody a bastard, we aren’t necessarily referring to the legitimacy of their birth.  Often, that’s where “an offensive or disagreeable person – used as a generalized term of abuse” comes into play.  Sometimes it’s less dramatic, like “something that is spurious, irregular, inferior, or of questionable origin.” Regardless, this playlist examines 10 songs, post-2000, that are bold enough to feature the other b-word, bastard, in their song title. 10 Songs That Feature Bastard in the Song Title features the music of Battle Beast, Incubus, Infant Annihilator, Kesha, and Tyler, the Creator among others.

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1. Kesha, “Bastards”

Rainbow • Kemosabe • 2017

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“Bastards” – what a kind way to start a pop album.  Surprisingly, Kesha has a notable message, exemplified by the blunt chorus.

“Don’t let the bastards get you down, oh no

Don’t let the assholes wear you out

Don’t let the mean girls take the crown

Don’t let the scumbags screw you ‘round

Don’t let the bastards take you down.”   

Prudent and uplifting despite the language, “Bastards” is more mature than anticipated.  This isn’t only thanks to the message, but also the singer/songwriter sound.  The opener ends epically thanks to heavier production work with more oomph.

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2. Incubus, “Nimble Bastard”

8 • Island • 2017

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Alternative rock darlings Incubus returns with a brand new, unapologetically-named single, “Nimble Bastard.” “Nimble Bastard” lives up to its risqué title – it is indeed nimble – spry in tempo if you will. The energy is ferocious, with Brandon Boyd giving his all vocally, once things percolate.  He shines on the chorus.

“When you land on your feet

You’re a nimble bastard

And you don’t skip a beat

Such a nimble bastard

Salt of the earth

Such a nimble bastard

Yeah, won’t you show, lowly us

How do you see the stars from that far down.”

Based upon the chorus, the nimble bastard is omniscient.  The verses provide more background.

So, what’s the message exactly? According to an interview for Radio.com, Boyd describes a message of resiliency and being in awe of a person possessing such resiliency.

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3. Battle Beast, “Bastard Son of Odin” 

Bringer of Pain • Nuclear Blast • 2017

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Exuberant! That’s the best way to describe “Bastard Son of Odin,” an exhilarating performance by Finnish metal band, Battle Beast. Usually, nothing that’s associated with bastards is good, but   In this case, the bastard son of Odin is something.  He’s a juggernaut to say the least, judging by the lyrics.

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“Bastard son of Odin

Born to kick your ass

Bastard son of Odin

Living hard and driving fast

Bastard son of Odin

Sworn to fight and die

Bastard son of Odin

To Valhalla soon will ride.” 

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4. Infant Annihilator, “Baptised, Bastardised, Sodomised.”

The Elysian Grandeval Galèriarch • Infant Annihilator • 2016

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Infant Annihilator certainly has a way with names, song titles, and album titles.  There is nothing subtle about the band whatsoever.  Furthermore, there is nothing subtle about the noisy, indecipherable, sometimes cacophonous “Baptised. Bastardised. Sodomised.”  You know it’s bad after the first three statements:

“Baptized.

Soaking…in semen…

Blessed with penetration.”

The music is epic though, for lack of better words.

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5. Ramin Djawadi, “Bastard”

Game of Thrones: Season 6 (Music from the HBO Series) • Warner Tower Music • 2016

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Ramin Djawadi kind of has a big job.  The German-Iranian composer has to provide a fitting soundtrack to one of the most beloved television series ever – Game of Thrones. It’s not a problem for Djawadi because he’s one talented composer.  He shows his skill, vision, and angst on the thrilling instrumental, “Bastard.” Fittingly, it’s jagged, energetic, filled with dramatic strings, vengeful brass, and pummeling percussion.  Additionally, it’s also tender, though still dramatic, towards the end of its course.

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6. Damien Rice, “The Greatest Bastard”

My Favourite Faded Fantasy • Warner Bros. • 2014

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Well, if you are a bastard, at least be “The Greatest Bastard,” right? Well, no, that’s not exactly what singer/songwriter Damien Rice is getting at on the oxymoronic song title. Rice paints a picture of the good and bad, specifically in a relationship. Relationships ultimately, are impactful in a number of regards. Early on, he asks her:

“Am I the greatest bastard that you know?

The only one who let you go?

The one you hurt so much you cannot bear?”

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7. Miss May I, “Bastards Left Behind”

Deathless • Rise • 2013

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Passion.  Metalcore band Miss May I showcase they have lots of passion – better yet angst – on “Bastards Left Behind.” The best way to describe the song? Hell, in the most celestial, rock – um metalcore –sense.  Nothing wrong with possessing spirit.

“We’re your bastards left behind

Thrown away beneath the darkest sky

We’re the fallen, born to rise

A part of you left alone to die.” 

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8. Green Day, “Dirty Rotten Bastards” 

Tré • Reprise • 2012

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Unfortunately for Green Day, their trio-of-albums experiment didn’t work.  Too much Green Day? Perhaps. Nonetheless, Billie Joe Armstrong and company found a way to incorporate our other favorite b-word in the lengthy “Dirty Rotten Bastards.”  Expectedly, it’s brash, profane, and rebellious.  This one is clearly for “all God’s losers…”

“Calling all demons, this is the season

Next stop is therapy

We’re the retarded and the brokenhearted

The season of misery…

All f*cked up beyond intervention

F*ck the world this is my revolution

Long lost souls and living in cages

I’m on a bender, it’s one for the ages.”

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9. Tyler, the Creator, “Bastard”

12 Odd Future Songs • Odd Future • 2011

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Tyler, the Creator has always been controversial.  Interestingly, his first statement for most was Goblin, his 2011 debut album.  Prior to the arrival of Goblin, however, was Bastard, a mixtape released in 2009.  The title track, “Bastard,” reappeared on the compilation, 12 Odd Future Songs, which like Goblin, was released in 2011.  At over six minutes in duration, Tyler, the Creator is profane, self-deprecating, cocky, shocking, etc.  Some highlights: 

“Somebody call the pastor, this bastard is so possessed

This meeting just begun, n*gga, I’m Satan’s son.”

“I’m feeling like the bulls, I’ve got a gang of wolves

Odd Future is children that’s f*cked up in they mental.”

“I’m on my grind feeble, my music is either

A f*cking sin or too illegal, play this shit in church.” 

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10. Ben Folds, “Bastard”

Songs for Silverman • Epic • 2005

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Ben Folds has always been one of a kind. He opened his 2005 album Songs for Silverman with a bang. Like Kesha would do 12 years later, Folds decided to sing about a bastard.  Not just any bastard, but an old bastard.

“The old bastard left his ties and his suit…

And his opinion so you’d never have to choose

Pretty soon, you’ll be an old bastard too.”

Ultimately, the song is about life experience.  Kids want to act grown, and perceive their elders as buzz kill.

“Kids today getting’ old too fast

They can’t wait to grow up so they can kiss some ass

They get nostalgic about the last ten years

Before the last ten years have passed.”

So, to quote Ben, “Why you gotta act like you know when you don’t know?”

Photo Credits: Kemosabe, Island, Nuclear Blast, Infant Annihilator, WaterTower Music, Warner Bros., Rise, Reprise, Odd Future, Epic

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