There Are Worse Things I Could Do
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John Lyrics


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There are worse things I could do

Than go with a boy or two

Even though the neighborhood

Thinks I'm trashy and no good
I suppose it could be true

But there are worse things I could do

I could flirt with all the guys

Smile at them and bat my eyes

Press against them when we dance

Make them think they stand a chance

Then refuse to see it through

That's a thing I'd never do

I could stay home every night

Wait around for Mr. Right

Take cold showers everyday

And throw my life away

On a dream that won't come true

I could hurt someone like me

Out of spite or jealousy

I don't steal, and I don't lie

But I can feel, and I can cry

A fact I'll bet you never knew

But to cry infront of you





That's the worse thing I could do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John featured in the musical film "Grease" is a powerful and honest reflection of teenage promiscuity, self-assessment, insecurity, and defiance. The song, sung by Rizzo, the bold and sassy leader of the Pink Ladies gang, shares her frustration over being labeled as "trashy" and "no good" by the neighborhood for her lifestyle choices. The lyrics suggest that while she could be doing worse things, she still faces societal pressures to conform and be accepted, even if it means sacrificing her true identity.


The song's opening line, "There are worse things I could do than go with a boy or two," sets the stage for the rest of the song. Rizzo acknowledges that her sexual freedom may not be considered right by some, but it's her choice to make. She defends herself by saying that she could have been hurting herself or others out of spite or jealousy, but she doesn't.


In the second verse of the song, Rizzo reveals her vulnerability when she says, "But I can feel, and I can cry." It is a poignant moment when she admits that maybe no one knows that side of her. The song offers a unique view of a girl who’s trying to live her life according to her own rules, resisting existing societal norms that ostracize her, and yet not entirely sure of herself.


Line by Line Meaning

There are worse things I could do
I acknowledge that society might view me as inappropriate, but there are actions that would be much worse


Than go with a boy or two
I could engage in activities that are genuinely harmful or dangerous


Even though the neighborhood
Despite the judgment and criticism of those around me


Thinks I'm trashy and no good
Who perceive me as low-class and of little value


I suppose it could be true
I admit that there may be some truth to their perception


But there are worse things I could do
But there are certainly greater misdeeds I could commit


I could flirt with all the guys
Instead of simply enjoying the company of men, I could lead them on and give them false hope


Smile at them and bat my eyes
Using facial expressions and charm to manipulate people for my own benefit


Press against them when we dance
Taking advantage of the physical proximity during a dance to give the impression of intimacy


Make them think they stand a chance
Creating the illusion that the relationship is going somewhere when it's not


Then refuse to see it through
Keeping up the charade and ultimately breaking someone's heart, without any real intention of developing a deeper connection


That's a thing I'd never do
I am a person of principle, and I would never intentionally manipulate someone's emotions like that


I could stay home every night
I could choose to be completely uninvolved and closed off from any social interaction


Wait around for Mr. Right
And hold out for a perfect, unrealistic partner that may never come


Take cold showers everyday
Metaphorically and literally denying myself any warmth or joy in life


And throw my life away
By isolating myself and limiting experiences that might bring fulfillment to my life


On a dream that won't come true
And chasing an idealized future that may not be realistic or achievable


I could hurt someone like me
I could project my own insecurities and issues onto others, causing pain and damage to those around me


Out of spite or jealousy
Motivated by negative emotions like envy and anger


I don't steal, and I don't lie
I am a person of integrity, and I won't resort to dishonesty or deception


But I can feel, and I can cry
I am not immune to emotions, and I have the capacity to experience pain and sadness


A fact I'll bet you never knew
Despite any preconceived notions or assumptions about me, I am a human being with real feelings and emotions


But to cry in front of you
However, I may hesitate to express my vulnerability to others or to reveal my true emotions


That's the worse thing I could do
Because it challenges the image of strength and independence that I project to others




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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