The radio release and single was an edited and remixed version of the original album cut. It was remixed by Shep Pettibone. "Bad Boy" became the band's second Top Ten single in the United States, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached the Top 20 in many other countries around the world. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA in the U.S. for sales of 500,000 units and by the ARIA in Australia for sales of 35,000 copies. The song landed at #79 on Billboard magazine's year-end chart of 1986.
The video of the song received high rotation on MTV and other video music channels. Two videos were made with the second one featuring Estefan with the cast of the musical Cats. The song opened the film, Three Men and a Baby.
Bad Boys
Gloria Estefan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You naughty, bad bad, bad, bad boy, you make me feel so good
The way you hold me tight
You get me so excited,
You do me, oh, so right
My heart goes beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat
I want you, bad bad, bad, bad boy, you make me feel so good
(Boys will be boys) always get so restless (bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys)
Nothing but trouble
(Bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys) leaving me feeling breathless (bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys)
Nothing but trouble (bad boy, bad boy)
And when he drives me home
I feel safe at night,
He'll call me on the phone
It goes ring, ring, ring, ring-a-ring, ring
(Boys will be boys) always get so restless (bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys)
Nothing but trouble
(Bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys) leaving me feeling breathless (bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys)
Nothing but trouble (bad boy, bad boy)
Always get so restless (bad boy, bad boy)
Nothing but trouble
(Bad boy, bad boy) leaving me feeling breathless (bad boy)
Nothing but trouble (bad boy)
Always get so restless (bad boy)
Nothing but trouble
(Bad boy, bad boy) leaving me feeling breathless (bad boy)
Nothing but trouble (bad boy)
Always get so restless (bad boy)
Nothing but trouble
(Bad boy, bad boy)
In "Bad Boy," Gloria Estefan expresses her allegiance to a challenging, thrill-seeking but ultimately good-hearted guy. She loves the way he embraces her tight, exciting her and making her feel alive. There's definitely an element of danger in their relationship because of the bad boy's restless nature. Gloria knows this, and she's breathless and found it hard to keep up with the trouble he creates. However, she also feels safe around him, referring to him as her protector: the person who drives her home and calls her up in the middle of the night. He even gave her heartbeats that go wild because of the way he handles her desires.
The song gives a rather playful, flirtatious vibe. In her lyrics, Gloria Estefan alludes to the unique and thrilling characteristics of bad boys. She shows how such an individual brings people alive and sets adrenaline flowing through their veins with the unique way he controls the entire scenario, leaving the person breathless and wanting more. The bad boy's thrill-seeking and relentless nature undoubtedly make him a complicated partner. Gloria acknowledges the truth of the relationship but can't help being attracted to the danger, excitement, and unpredictability of this kind of man.
Line by Line Meaning
Bad bad, bad, bad boy, you make me feel so good
The boy's naughty behavior makes her feel good even though it's bad
You naughty, bad bad, bad, bad boy, you make me feel so good
Repeating how his bad behavior is naughty and appealing to her
The way you hold me tight
His embrace fills her with excitement
You get me so excited,
His behavior makes her nervous and happy at the same time
You do me, oh, so right
He treats her well in every way
My heart goes beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat
He stirs her heart and makes her fall in love
I want you, bad bad, bad, bad boy, you make me feel so good
She wants him even though he's naughty
(Boys will be boys) always get so restless (bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys)
She acknowledges that boys will be boys and sometimes act up
Nothing but trouble
Their bad behavior can cause trouble
Leaving me feeling breathless (bad boy, bad boy, boys will be boys)
Their behavior makes her feel both excited and nervous
And when he drives me home
He takes care of her and makes her feel safe
I feel safe at night,
He protects her from harm
He'll call me on the phone
He knows how to keep in touch and make her feel loved
It goes ring, ring, ring, ring-a-ring, ring
Repeating the sound of the phone reminds her of his affection
Always get so restless (bad boy)
Repeating that bad boys tend to act up and cause trouble
Nothing but trouble
Their actions can lead to complications in their relationship
Leaving me feeling breathless (bad boy)
His actions leave her feeling both exhilarated and uncertain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAWRENCE DERMER, JOE GALDO, RAFAEL VIGIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beerlover7460
The 80's were much more fun than nowadays
@AntonioCarlos-pl8zv
Claro gue sim . Foi lindo e MARAVILHOSO. 😅😅😅😅😅 saudade nao tem idade .
@debowiec3
So true!!!!!!!!!!
@warmongersCantBeTrusted
That's a huge understatement. It's not even close. Today's music is a joke. A complete waste of my time. All music 90'sand before is the best. Music fell off after 2000.
@groovefunkel
Only a society that is (mostly) happy and thriving could make music and videos like this. Such a shame where we are today.
@mdmarko
We can fix it.
@charmelizabeth8584
Cute song and cute video, 80s music - the best.
@lupeclaros9965
Beautiful song!! ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😮😮😮 🥰 cute video!! This takes me back great 👍 times
@michelecherek5392
OMG, I FLEW BACK to my childhood!!!😂🤣💖🎶💖🎶💖🎶💖 I'm 47, and i feel so young again with this!!
@stacirogert5583
I am 47 as well... Good days were these...