Emitt Rhodes Bad Man Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Felt unwanted and rejected as a child
Was always evil talkin', dirty and running wild
Caught red-handed thieving hubcaps as a teen
Judge was lenient when you told him you'd go clean
One year's probation just added to your frustration
But a bad man's gotta pay once in a while

[Verse 2]
Did your utmost to perfect the perfect crime
Was apprehended in the phone booth stealing dimes
Tried a thousand schemes and nothing made you rich
Well every endeavor never fails to have a hitch
Here's the place be quick it's time to face the music
Cause the bad man's gotta steal to stay alive [Bridge]
Now you're low and low is wearing mighty thin
Yes you're low, you're high and then you're low again

[Verse 3]
You have precisely half a dozen phony names
You've got no mercy and Lord knows you got no shame
There's no one home, can't you see the house is dark
Ooh the driveway's empty where a car is usually parked
Now's the time to go through any unlocked window
Cause a bad man's gotta earn a living too

[Coda]
Now you're down and down and down is where they have you pinned
Yes you're down, you're up and then you're down again