Bad Boys
Helen St. John Lyrics


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Bad bad boy
You're drivin' me crazy
Bad bad boy
Shame on you
Shame on you

Where you been all night
Messin' with your friends
You act so mean
And you talk so funny
There you go again

Bad bad boy
You won't amount to nothin'
Bad bad boy
Shame on you
Shame on you

Where you been
What you been doin'
Where you been
What you been doin'
Bad bad boy

Bad bad boy
Can't you be
More like your brother
Bad bad boy
Shame on you
Shame on you

Where you been
What you been doin'
Where you been




What you been doin'
Bad bad boy

Overall Meaning

Helen St. John's song Bad Boys is a straightforward condemnation of a young man who has gone astray. In the song, the singer is addressing the young man directly and chastising him for his bad behavior. The lyrics are a series of questions and statements expressing the singer's frustration with the boy's irresponsible and unruly behavior. Throughout the song, the singer refers to the young man as a "bad bad boy" and tells him to be more like his brother.


The first two lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer sings "Bad bad boy, you're drivin' me crazy." This establishes the singer's emotional state and makes it clear that she is angry and upset with the young man's behavior. She goes on to ask the boy where he has been all night, accusing him of "messin' with your friends." She also notes that he acts "mean" and "talk[s] so funny." These observations suggest that the boy is either involved in criminal activities or has fallen in with a bad crowd.


The second half of the song repeats the same refrain, "Where you been, what you been doin', bad bad boy." This repetition serves to emphasize the singer's frustration and reinforce the central idea of the song: that the young man needs to change his behavior. Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling in with the wrong crowd and the importance of making responsible choices.


Line by Line Meaning

Bad bad boy
A condemnation of the addressee's behavior or personality


You're drivin' me crazy
The addressee's actions or personality are having an adverse effect on the singer


Shame on you
An expression of the singer's disapproval, sometimes with a sense of disbelief or surprise


Where you been all night
An inquiry about the addressee's whereabouts and activities during a certain time period


Messin' with your friends
Engaging in social or recreational activities with acquaintances or companions


You act so mean
The addressee's behavior can be characterized as cruel, malicious, or unkind


And you talk so funny
The addressee's speech or manner of communication is unusual, peculiar, or absurd


There you go again
An expression of exasperation or annoyance at the addressee's recurring or habitual behavior


You won't amount to nothin
The addressee's prospects for success or achievement in life are deemed unlikely or impossible


Where you been
A repetition of an earlier inquiry about the addressee's whereabouts and activities during a certain time period


What you been doin'
A repetition of an earlier inquiry about the addressee's activities or endeavors


Can't you be more like your brother
A comparison with a more admired or exemplary figure, with an implied admonishment or critique of the addressee's character or behavior




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FOGERTY

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