Radio Favorites – Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing

You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two? I didn’t think so.

As a record collector, I hunted down many of my favorites but obviously came nowhere near getting them all. These are some of the favorites I didn’t own at the time. .

“Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” is a song by American rock musician Chris Isaak. It was released in 1995 as a single from his seventh studio album, “Forever Blue.” The song has a sultry and bluesy sound, featuring Isaak’s signature smooth vocals and twangy guitar riffs. The lyrics describe (according to Isaak) “Somebody who is so evil and twisted and bad, and yet, you still want them”.

The song gained significant attention when featured in the 1999 film “Eyes Wide Shut,” directed by Stanley Kubrick[1] and starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The song was personally chose by Kidman. Isaak never met Kubrick — but Kubrick helped “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” earn its place in pop culture.

Sadly, Kubrick died before the release of Eyes Wide Shut.

Stanley Kubrick is one of my favorite directors. I mean, The Killing is a great film and I watched it over and over. So when I got a phone call and I remember somebody said, ‘Stanley Kubris or something is calling.’ I went, ‘What?’ I was actually backstage at The Tonight Show and they said, ‘There’s a deadline on a film, do you want to pass?’ And I said, ‘Is it Stanley Kubrick?’ And they said, ‘Yes.’ And I said, ‘Say yes. Say YES. Just say yes to anything they want.’ Like, get me on the phone with this guy. It’s Kubrick. If he would have said, ‘Come to my house and paint the porch,’ I would have said ‘When?’

Chris Isaak

The music video of the song was commissioned after its inclusion on Eyes Wide Shut, and directed by Herb Ritts[2], who also did the video for Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” It features French model Laetitia Casta[3] videotaped in a motel room gyrating sexually being watched by Isaak. Casta was dressed in lingerie and wore a black wig throughout the video.

In July 1999, VH1 aired two versions of the music video, the censored version was played before 9 p.m. and the uncensored version was played after 9 p.m. The video was initially regarded as too steamy by the network.

And it was also neat that that film [Eyes Wide Shut] – and this is kind of esoteric, I don’t know if it translates into print – but at the end of that film, the lead character, [Tom] Cruise, has been unfaithful and now he’s back with his wife, and she says, ‘There’s something else we need to do.’ And he says, ‘What’s that?’ It’s like, F-U-C – you know, that’s… it’s like, ‘What?! Huh?’ It just stopped me in my tracks. Here’s this guy who risks everything because of this drive, and at the end it’s kind of like, yes, that’s there, it’s underneath the surface of all of this. There’s these other drives that aren’t talked about and stuff. And Kubrick, I loved that he would address those kind of things in a film. And that I got that song in there and Nicole Kidman is dancing naked to it, kind of made my day. I have to say I really like Nicole Kidman; somebody told me they had asked her, they said, ‘What would you feel comfortable rehearsing to and dancing?’ And she brought that song and was dancing to it and Kubrick heard it and went, ‘That’s perfect.’ So I have Nicole to thank for that.

Chris Isaak
Baby did a bad bad thing
Baby did a bad bad thing
Baby did a bad bad thing
Baby did a bad bad thing


You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two?
I didn't think so
You ever tried with all your heart and soul to get you lover back to you?
I want to hope so
You ever pray with all your heart and soul just to watch her walk away?


Baby did a bad bad thing
Baby did a bad bad thing
Baby did a bad bad thing
Feel like crying
Feel like crying


You ever toss and turn your lying awake and thinking about the one you love?
I don't think so
You ever close your eyes your making believe your holding the one your dreaming of?
Well if you say so
I hurts so bad when you finally know just how low, low, low, low, low, she'll go


Baby did a bad bad thing
Baby did a bad bad thing
Baby did a bad bad thing
Feel like crying
I feel like crying


Oh feel like crying
Feel like crying
Oh, feel like crying
Feel like crying
Footnotes
  1. Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) was an influential American film director, producer, and screenwriter, renowned for his distinctive style and meticulous approach to filmmaking. Born in New York City, Kubrick began his career as a photographer before transitioning to directing feature films. He directed a diverse range of critically acclaimed movies, including “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “A Clockwork Orange,” “The Shining,” and “Full Metal Jacket.” Known for his perfectionism and innovative storytelling, Kubrick left an indelible mark on cinema, exploring various genres and pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. His films often delved into profound themes, and his meticulous attention to detail earned him a reputation as one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema. Stanley Kubrick’s legacy continues to influence filmmakers and captivate audiences around the world. [Back]
  2. Herb Ritts (1952–2002) was an American fashion photographer and director known for his iconic work in the realms of celebrity and fashion. With a distinctive style characterized by clean lines, bold contrasts, and a focus on the human form, Ritts captured the essence of beauty in both his photography and music videos. He collaborated with numerous celebrities, creating memorable images that often transcended the boundaries between art and commercial work. In addition to his photography, Ritts directed several music videos, including Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” which further solidified his reputation as a visual artist. His contributions to the world of visual arts have left a lasting impact, and his work continues to be celebrated posthumously. [Back]
  3. Laetitia Casta, born on May 11, 1978, in Pont-Audemer, France, is a renowned French model and actress. She gained international fame in the 1990s, particularly after becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel and appearing in various high-profile fashion campaigns for prestigious brands like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Known for her striking beauty and classic French elegance, Casta has also transitioned into acting, with notable roles in films such as “Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life” and “Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar.” Her career has been marked by collaborations with esteemed photographers and designers, cementing her status as one of the prominent figures in the fashion and entertainment industry. [Back]
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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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