Nice Guys Finish Last
Cobra Starship Lyrics


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I was just a kid working for the man for the first time
Said listen kid you better heed my advice
Treat 'em like dirt
They stick forever to the bottom of your shoe oh
I said Mr. Man that ain't nice
You gotta treat a girl right
Take her out wine and dine her
Always be polite
Kid, no good does do you
But soon you'll see she don't want no goody two shoes

Boy just a goody two
Goody two shoes
Just a goody two
Two shoes

You got style, you got grace
Kid you try so hard she just laughs in your face
You're a nice guy with the wrong attitude
She want (bad boys bad boys all we want is bad boys)
I treat her dirt she loves me good (so good)
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice guy but that just won't do
She want (bad boys bad boys all we want is bad boys)

Listen kid you hear them sirens coming for me
But when I get downtown she will already be
Posting bail in her favorite dress
Smiling at me because I'm no good
You can buy her everything she likes, and I'm sure she'll be alright
But just you feel it, cause baby even spend the night
Kid are good but just know that she'll be thinking of me,
Even when she's with you

Boy just a goody two
Goody two shoes
Just a goody two
Two shoes

You got style, you got grace
Kid you try so hard she just laughs in your face
You're a nice guy with the wrong attitude
She want (bad boys bad boys all we want is bad boys)
I treat her dirt she loves me good (so good)
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice guy but that just won't do
She want (bad boys bad boys all we want is bad boys)

Whoo alright now
Singles ladies (yeah)
I'm gonna need your help now
(tell us whatcha want us to do now)
(tell us whatcha want us to do now)
I need help your girls
(you're a bad boy)
I say I need help now (help now)
So bad (so bad)
So good (so good)
So bad (bad)
Good (good)

God damn you got style you got grace
Kid you try so hard she just laughs in your face
You're a nice guy with the wrong attitude
She want (bad boys bad boys all we want is bad boys)
I treat her dirt she loves me good(so good)
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice guy but that just won't do
She want (bad boys bad boys all we want is bad boys)

Boy just a goody two
Goody two shoes




Just a goody two
Two shoes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cobra Starship's song "Nice Guys Finish Last" present a conflict between two opposing views of dating and relationships. The singer, who appears to be a young man, works for an older man who tells him to treat women poorly in order to keep them attached to him. The younger man initially protests that this isn't right, saying "Mr. Man that ain't nice / You gotta treat a girl right / Take her out wine and dine her / Always be polite." However, he ultimately joins in with the idea that treating women badly is the key to getting what you want, saying that he treats his lover badly but she still loves him. The song concludes by repeating the phrase "she want bad boys" and emphasizing the idea that being a "nice guy" won't get you very far in the dating world.


One interpretation of this song is that it critiques the idea that women are inherently drawn to "bad boys" and that treating them poorly is an effective way of making them stay with you. The singer initially pushes back against this notion and advocates for treating women with respect and kindness. However, he ultimately gives in to the cultural trope of the "bad boy" who is more attractive to women. This may suggest that even men who want to be decent and respectful partners can be pressured by societal norms into adopting more toxic behaviors.


Another interpretation of the song is that it is a cautionary tale about the dangers of following bad advice. The singer is new to the workforce and is looking for guidance from his boss, who tells him to treat women poorly. The singer initially resists this advice but ultimately decides that it might be the only way to succeed in love. This reading suggests that the song may be about the challenges of navigating contradictory messages about dating and relationships, and the importance of listening to one's own moral compass instead of blindly following what others say.


Line by Line Meaning

I was just a kid working for the man for the first time
I started my first job, and my boss advised me to mistreat people as it would stick with them.


Treat 'em like dirt, They stick forever to the bottom of your shoe oh
If you treat people horribly, they won't forget it easily, and the resentment will last.


But soon you'll see she don't want no goody two shoes
You'll realize that women do not like men who are too good or too nice.


Kid you try so hard she just laughs in your face
You put too much effort into pleasing a girl, and she doesn't take you seriously.


She want (bad boys bad boys all we want is bad boys)
Women prefer men who are rough around the edges and who display a bad-boy persona.


I treat her dirt she loves me good (so good)
By treating her poorly, I get the desirable response from her, and she loves me for it.


Posting bail in her favorite dress Smiling at me because I'm no good
She'll be happy to pick me over someone good because I'm a bad boy who's willing to break the law.


Kid are good but just know that she'll be thinking of me,even when she's with you
You're a good person, but she'll still think of me even if she's with you.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NIKIESHA BRISCOE, GABE SAPORTA, RAFAEL AKINYEMI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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