Bad Boys
George Michael and Wham! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear mummy, dear daddy,
You had plans for me, I was your only son.
And long before this baby boy could count to three,
You knew just what he would become.
Run along to school,
Run along to school.
When you tried to tell me what to do,
I just shut my mouth and smiled at you,
One thing that I know for sure
Bad boys
Stick together, never sad boys
Good guys
They made rules for fools, so get wise
Dear Mummy, Dear Daddy,
Now I'm nineteen as you see,
I'm handsome, tall, and strong.
So what the hell gives you the right to look at me,
As if to say "Hell, what went wrong?"
Where were you last night?
You look as if you had a fight.
Where were you last night?
Well I think that you may just be right,
But don't try to keep me in tonight,
Because I'm big enough to break down the door.
Bad boys
Stick together, never Sad Boys
Good guys
They made rules for fools, so get wise
Boys like you, are bad through and through.
Still,
Girls like me, always seem to be with you
We can't help but worry,
You're in such a hurry,
Mixing with the wrong boys,
Playing with the wrong toys.
Easy girls,
And late nights,
Cigarettes, and love bites
Why do you have to be so cruel?
You're such a fool
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to George Michael and Wham!'s song Bad Boys are a rebellious response to parental expectations and societal norms. The song begins with the singer addressing his parents, acknowledging that they had plans for him, but he had his own desires and ambitions. He resents being told what to do and being seen as a fool, so he runs away to live life on his own terms. He believes that "bad boys stick together" and that "good guys make rules for fools," implying that he is not interested in conforming to societal expectations. However, he does express some insecurity, wondering why girls like him even though he is a "bad boy" and worrying that his actions may be seen as cruel or foolish.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo-woo
Sound effect to start the song
Dear mummy, dear daddy, you had plans for me, I was your only son.
Parents expected me to be something else entirely since birth
And long before this baby boy could count to three, you knew just what he would become.
Parents had a predetermined future in mind for me
Run along to school, no child of mine grows up a fool, Run along to school.
School is important, as it is a parental expectation that I am to be successful
When you tried to tell me what to do, I just shut my mouth and smiled at you, one thing that I know for sure
I remained non-confrontational when my parents would try to control me
Bad boys, stick together, never sad boys, good guys, they made rules for fools, so get wise
Boys who do not conform tend to stick together while the 'good guys' make rules that may not be useful
Dear Mummy, Dear Daddy, now I'm nineteen as you see, I'm handsome, tall, and strong.
I've reached adulthood and I'm successful now
So what the hell gives you the right to look at me, as if to say "Hell, what went wrong?"
My parents judged me unfairly for not following the path they wanted for me
Where were you last night? You look as if you had a fight. Where were you last night?
My parents are still trying to control me and query my activities
Well I think that you may just be right, but don't try to keep me in tonight, Because I'm big enough to break down the door.
I acknowledge that I may have done something wrong, but I won't be controlled anymore
Bad boys, stick together, never Sad Boys, good guys, they made rules for fools, so get wise
Boys who do not conform tend to stick together while the 'good guys' make rules that may not be useful
Boys like you, are bad through and through. Still, girls like me always seem to be with you
Society labels non-conforming boys as bad, but girls still choose to be with them
We can't help but worry, you're in such a hurry, mixing with the wrong boys, playing with the wrong toys.
My parents continue to worry and disapprove of the life I lead
Easy girls, and late nights, cigarettes, and love bites. Why do you have to be so cruel? You're such a fool
Society judges promiscuous behavior negatively, yet fails to understand the underlying reasons driving it
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the refrain to emphasize the point of the song
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE MICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andymann1667
So wonderful to see younger people appreciate older pop stars in the comments. George had a great impact on pop music that will continue on for generations to come.
@stars_aligning
Andy Mann I'm 15, Ive grown up with his music. Gone too soon, I'd much rather this music than some of what we have today
@corinnenoah5383
I play his cd's all the time.. pretty much all I listen to and 3 out of my 5 grandchildren love his music especially the up beat stuff and if I want to get them to nap all I have to do is play older... they go right to sleep.. the 4 and 5 year olds ask to listen I am ecstatic about that.. I have cd's put away for them when they get old enough to appreciate and take care of them
@thomascooper2613
liv ikr
@Sanjay-ub7eq
@@stars_aligning these songs are way too god than today's song
@freshavacado1299
I'm 12 and obsessed with george omg he is such a legend he's just an absolute angel💓
@Aramanth
"I'm handsome, tall and strong." And modest LOL!
George can really write a story into a song...
Love the actors playing the parents! Miss you George! 💙
@naveenchandrapathak9274
That's it. I was looking for someone who too has this opinion. 🙏
@damian-795
Just looked it up , He was 6 foot tall which is tall , I am 6"2 😁😁
@cisio64123
It comes from the fact that George was notoriously the case of the ugly duckling who turned into a swan. He was a chubby not so good looking kid but by 16 he had grown into a popular hunky budding musician ...and with it put in his face by the obvious female attention it sparked he couldn't help but know it. Wham's hit Careless Whisper had actually begun being written by a then 17 year old George ( who hadn't realized his true sexuality yet ) over his guilt that his total transformation had finally garnered his long time crushes attention and he couldn't help but go for it despite having a steady GF. Despite his guilt he couldn't help but revel in the ego boosting fact that the loser who hadn't been been given the time of day by girls had suddenly become the cool hunky musician two timer. So yeah by this time George knew full well he was a hottie and after spending his childhood as the dumpy kid there wasn't going to be any humility about it whatsoever...he was full on embracing it.