"Bad Girls" became a worldwide success, peaking within the top-ten in seven countries, including Spain and New Zealand. In the United States, it spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, from the weeks of July 14 to August 11, 1979; and sold over two million copies, simultaneously becoming, alongside "Hot Stuff", her most successful single. The single, which was the second-biggest song of 1979, also helped the Bad Girls album to reach multi-Platinum status in the United States. Summer placed three songs in the top 12 of the Billboard 1979 Year-End chart.
The inspiration for Summer to write the song came after one of her assistants was offended by a police officer who thought she was a street prostitute. A rough version of the song had originally been written a couple of years before its release. Casablanca Records' founder Neil Bogart, upon hearing it, wanted Summer to give it to Cher for her upcoming album. Summer refused and put it away for a couple of years.
"Toot Toot! Ah! Beep Beep!," the chanted vocal refrain in the song originates from the Latin boogaloo track "Bang Bang" by the Joe Cuba Sextet (1966). The chant in "Bang Bang" was incorporated into the song after a gig Joe Cuba's sextet played for a black audience that wasn't particularly receptive to mambo or cha cha cha; the audience started chanting as the pianist in the group played a riff.
A 12" version of the song was released as a medley with "Hot Stuff". Although "Hot Stuff" was extended for the 12" version, "Bad Girls" remained in the four minutes, fifty-five seconds album version. A demo version of the song was released on the deluxe edition of Bad Girls.
Bad Girls
Donna Summer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Bad girls
Talking 'bout the sad girls
Sad girls
See them out on the street at night (walkin')
Picking up on all kinds of strangers
If the price is right
You can't score if you're pocket's tight
But you want a good time
You ask yourself who they are
Like everybody else, they come from near and far
(Bad girls, yeah)
Bad girls (bad girls)
Talking about the sad girls (sad girls), yeah
The sad girls (sad girls)
Talking about bad girls, yeah
Friday night and the strip is hot (hot)
Sun's gone down and they're out to trot (out trottin')
Spirit's high and legs look hot
Do you wanna get down?
Now, don't you ask yourself who they are?
Like everybody else, they wanna be a star
Yeah, yeah, there comes
Bad girl, sad girl
You're such a naughty bad girl, beep beep
Uh-huh
You're bad girl, you're sad girl
You're such a naughty bad girl, beep beep (beep beep)
Uh-huh
Now you and me, we're both the same (both the same)
But you call yourself by different names (different names)
Now your mama won't like it when she finds out (finds out)
Girl is out at night
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Hey mister, have you got a dime?
Mister, do you want to spend some time, oh yeah
I got what you want, you got what I need
I'll be your baby, come and spend it on me
Hey mister, I'll spend some time with you
With you, you got it, with you
Bad girls, they're just bad girls
Talkin' about sad girls, yeah
Sad girls
Hey, hey mister, got a dime?
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
The song "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer takes a deep dive into the world of the nightlife, specifically focusing on the women who sell their bodies for money. The lyrics describe the lifestyle and mentality of these "bad girls", who are often judged and looked down upon by mainstream society. The repetition of the phrase "toot toot, hey beep beep" acts as a sort of siren alerting us to their presence on the streets. The chorus further emphasizes the differences between these "bad girls" and the "sad girls" who may judge them for their actions.
The verses describe the actions of these women who are picking up on all kinds of strangers on the streets at night, with a particular emphasis on their need for money to have a good time. The lyrics are honest and straightforward, describing the women as coming from "near and far" like "everybody else". However, there is an underlying sense of irony in the song, as the "bad girls" are also looking for fame and recognition, just like any other aspiring celebrity.
Line by Line Meaning
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
The start of the song with horns playing and car sounds in the background.
Bad girls
This song is about the women who work as prostitutes.
Talking 'bout the sad girls
People usually talk about the women who work as prostitutes in a negative way.
Sad girls
The women who work as prostitutes often end up in sad situations.
Talking 'bout bad girls, yeah
The women who work as prostitutes are often referred to as bad girls.
See them out on the street at night (walkin')
Prostitutes are seen on the streets at night walking around.
Picking up on all kinds of strangers
Prostitutes solicit clients from anyone.
If the price is right
Prostitutes offer their services for a fee.
You can't score if you're pocket's tight
If you don't have money, you can't pay for their services.
But you want a good time
People seek out the pleasures offered by prostitutes.
You ask yourself who they are
People wonder about the identity of the women who work as prostitutes.
Like everybody else, they come from near and far
Prostitutes are just like anyone else and come from diverse backgrounds.
(Bad girls, yeah)
The chorus of the song where the phrase 'bad girls' is repeated.
Friday night and the strip is hot (hot)
The streets are crowded on Friday night and there is a demand for prostitutes.
Sun's gone down and they're out to trot (out trottin')
Prostitutes roam around the streets once the sun has set and they are eager to find clients to make money.
Spirit's high and legs look hot
Prostitutes try to attract clients with their good mood and physical appearance.
Do you wanna get down?
The song asks people if they want to participate in the pleasures of the evening.
Now, don't you ask yourself who they are?
The song asks if people still wonder about the identity of the women who work as prostitutes.
Like everybody else, they wanna be a star
Prostitutes want to be seen, recognized and praised like anyone else.
Yeah, yeah, there comes
Transition to the chorus of the song.
Bad girl, sad girl
Prostitutes are seen as bad and sad by society.
You're such a naughty bad girl, beep beep
The song acknowledges the cultural perception of prostitutes as forbidden or taboo.
Uh-huh
A spoken interjection used as an acknowledgement.
You're bad girl, you're sad girl
Prostitutes are caught between condemnation and compassion.
Now you and me, we're both the same (both the same)
Prostitutes are human beings just like anyone else.
But you call yourself by different names (different names)
Prostitutes often use different names to protect their identity.
Now your mama won't like it when she finds out (finds out)
Prostitutes' mothers would be upset if they found out about their child's profession.
Girl is out at night
Prostitutes work at night as it is safer for them.
Hey mister, have you got a dime?
Prostitutes solicit clients by asking if they have money.
Mister, do you want to spend some time, oh yeah
Prostitutes offer their services to potential clients.
I got what you want, you got what I need
Prostitutes offer to fulfill the clients' desires in exchange for money.
I'll be your baby, come and spend it on me
Prostitutes try to create a mood of dependency between them and the clients.
Hey mister, I'll spend some time with you
Prostitutes assure potential clients of their services.
With you, you got it, with you
Prostitutes affirm the idea of intimacy with the clients.
Bad girls, they're just bad girls
Repeating the line from the chorus to reinforce the idea.
Talkin' about sad girls, yeah
Repeating the line from the verse to reinforce the idea.
Sad girls
Repeating the line from the verse to reinforce the idea.
Hey, hey mister, got a dime?
Ending the song with a repetition of the opening phrases.
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Ending the song with a repetition of the opening phrases.
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Ending the song with a repetition of the opening phrases.
Toot toot, hey, beep beep
Ending the song with a repetition of the opening phrases.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Sudano, Donna Summer, Edward Hokenson, Joseph Esposito
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mashao_vocal
Bad girls
Talking about the sad girls
Sad girls
Talking about bad girls, yeah
See them out on the street at night, walkin'
Picking up on all kinds of strangers
If the price is right
You can't score if you're pocket's tight
But you want a good time
You ask yourself who they are
Like everybody else, they come from near and far
Bad girls
Talking about the sad girls
Sad girls
Talking about bad girls, yeah
Friday night and the strip is hot
Sun's gone down and they're out to trot
Spirit's high and legs look hot
Do you wanna get down?
Now don't you ask yourself who they are?
Like everybody else, they wanna be a star
Now you and me we're both the same
But you call yourself by different names
Now your mama won't like it when she finds out
That her girl is out at night
Street talkin', street walkin'
Hey, mister, have you got a dime?
Mister, do you want to spent some time? oh, yeah
I got what you want, you got what i need
I'll be your baby, come and spend it on me
Sad girls, you such a dirty bad girl
Beep-beep uh uh
You bad girl you sad girl
You such a dirty bad girl
Beep-beep uh uh
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@demimatthews4309
I'm 57 today, but when I was 13, (1979) was when this song was released. It was a hit at the time, and still is today.
I loved Donna Summers, I thought she was such a beautiful African American woman, who was a role model for black girls.
Gone too soon, but not for gotten. 🕊️
@ScottCole-sb8fy
This women really hit it with the disco era. Cool songs. Cool voice.
Bad girl, beep-beep !
@privatedanceallnight2568
BEEP...BEEP...LL DONNA SUMMER'S MUSIC!!! . I am in my 20's and dance joyfully to exhaustion whenever a Donna tune is playing!!! Yuzzzz 💃❤
@ronaldcrowell6412
I am 35, born in 1987. My husband was singing this song today dancing in the kitchen and I was laughing at the lyrics (initially hearing his silly self sing it) but when I looked up the song just now, I completely understand why he loves it! Donna summer is beautiful, talented for lack of a better word, and makes me realize just how different music was back then. The beat, the vibe, and the mood it puts you in is captivatin💃💃🕺🕺RIP queen
@starnyx3593
Who’s here just because they love donna summer and this song?
@maaks.80
Lol I still prefer hot stuff
@almahone1422
LOVED THE SONG
@noemimendoza6557
This queen is my first introduction to good music, she was my first favorite singer and my first favorite song. 😊❤
@nefelibata94
Why else?
@reeses_unicorn
I'm here because I was thinking of this old Meerkat Manor promo that used this song. xD