There Are Worse Things I Could Do
Stockard Channing Lyrics
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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
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 every day
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 in front of you
That's the worst thing I could do
Stockard Channing's song, "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" is a powerful ballad that speaks to the struggle of societal expectations and the freedom of individual choices. The lyrics spotlight the singer's willingness to reject the status quo of a conservative neighborhood that labels her as "trashy and no good." These lyrics demonstrate the singer's understanding that there are many options available to express her personality and desires while still opposing the characters who see her as less than suitable. She understands that even though she may not fit the traditional mold of a "good girl," there are more significant character flaws than simply being a "bad girl."
The second part of the lyrics captured a conflict that many women face in their lives, as their value is centered around male attention. Stockard sings "I could flirt with all the guys/ Smile at them and bat my eyes." Here she is acknowledging that women's worth in society is still widely tied to their beauty and ability to attract men. However, Stockard vows that she will never lead a man on and provide him with false hope, knowing that this is one of the worst things she could do.
In the last part of the song, Stockard confesses that she is not perfect and leaves herself vulnerable. Despite not being a thief or a liar, she is still capable of hurting people, out of spite or jealousy. This admission reveals the capacity for the singer to feel and cry, a trait that is often seen as weak in a society that prizes toughness over tenderness.
Line by Line Meaning
There are worse things I could do
I may have a reputation for being trashy, but there are actions far worse that I could take
Than go with a boy or two
Casual dating is not the worst thing I could do
Even though the neighborhood
Despite what others in my community may believe
Thinks I'm trashy and no good
Many people assume I'm of low moral character
I suppose it could be true
I acknowledge that there might be some truth to their assumptions
But there are worse things I could do
Yet still, my actions are not the worst possible
I could flirt with all the guys
I could lead men on, pretending to be interested in a relationship when I'm not
Smile at them and bat my eyes
I could manipulate them with looks and charm
Press against them when we dance
I could create a false sense of intimacy while dancing
Make them think they stand a chance
I could give them hope that I would commit to a relationship
Then refuse to see it through
And then abruptly stop talking to them or break off any relationship
That's a thing I'd never do
I would never intentionally manipulate and hurt someone like that
I could stay home every night
I could give up on my social life and stay alone
Wait around for Mr Right
I could spend my time waiting for someone who may never come
Take cold showers every day
I could deprive myself of the pleasures of life and live in self-punishment
And throw my life away
And waste my time waiting for something that may never happen
On a dream that won't come true
On a fantasy of a perfect relationship that may never happen
I could hurt someone like me
I could end up hurting someone who may be in the same situation as me
Out of spite or jealousy
Because of anger or envy, I may inflict pain on others
I don't steal and I don't lie
I may have a bad reputation, but I never deceive or steal from anyone
But I can feel and I can cry
I am just as vulnerable and emotional as anyone else
A fact I'll bet you never knew
Despite others' assumptions about me, I have real emotions and empathy
But to cry in front of you
One of the worst things I could do is show my emotions so openly to others
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
evvv1010
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 every day,
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 dont steal and I dont lie,
But I can feel and I can cry.
A fact I'll bet you never knew.
But to cry in front of you,
That's the worst thing I could do.
I love this song. Thanks a lot, eneskeskin1907!!
Cathy Kitson
I must be odd, because this is my absolutely favourite song of the whole movie. The tune and lyrics are so good.
Ellis Jones
It IS the best song
FVC
You are correct. Stockard's interpretation is so perfect as well.
Gamze Yılmaz
Duygu yüklü 💜
marivel weidner
Agreed! Best song!
Noel McMahon
It is the best song
DJ Rich Groove
Just a masterpiece of a song that has many elements.
Andy Shwenn
Absolutely the best song in the whole musical. Always loved Rizzo.
Dude Dudster
Still pulls at the heart strings after 40 odd years. Amazing performance.
15 Minute Prisons
She looks really beautiful in this role. She sings well and gives a great deal to the movie.