[Intro]
There's an alley cat slowly walkin' down a dirty street
Watching a cop on the take marching to the city beat
You got five fingers Johnny stealing everything in sight
You gotta be bad to be good in the dead of the night, woah, kick it

[Verse 1]
You're dancing in fire, baby
When you're takin' it to the streets, yeah, to the streets
Better watch your back, baby
Better be fast on your feet, yes, on your feet

[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause they're wheelin', dealin', cheatin', stealin'
Child, you're gonna learn

[Chorus]
You gotta be bad to be good
If you know what I'm talkin' about
What's that? So say it again
You gotta be bad to be good
In the dead of the night, ooh

[Verse 2]
When you got nothin', baby
You got nothin' to lose, nothin' to lose
It's an eye for an eye, baby
And a tooth for a tooth, ain't it the truth?
[Pre-Chorus]
If you got nine lives, you might survive
'Cause nothing's free on the other side

[Chorus]
Bad to be good
If you know what I'm talkin' about
What's that? So say it again
You gotta be bad to be good
If you know what I'm talkin' about

[Post-Chorus]
Now what's that? Say it again
Wheelin', dealin', cheatin', stealin' just to stay alive

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
I got love for sale, yes, for sale
On the New York subway line
Watch the working girls hanging out
Turning tricks underneath the lights, oh, the lights

[Pre-Chorus]
One step from Hell the poor men sell their soul
For a taste of wine
[Chorus]
You gotta be bad to be good
If you know what I'm talkin' about
What's that? So say it again
You gotta be bad to be good
If you know what I'm talkin' about
Now what's that? Say it again

[Outro]
Bad to be good
B-B-B-Bad, b-b-b-bad
You gotta be bad to be good
B-B-B-B-Bad, oh yeah
Bad to be good
You gotta be bad to be good
What's that? So say it again
When it's said and done and you're on the run
The only law comes under the gun