Bad Boys

Album: One Way (1987)
Charted: 52 8
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Songfacts®:

  • This song was recorded twice. The first version was on Inner Circle's 1987 album One Way, and a second version was recorded in 1989 for their 1991 album Identified. While Inner Circle worked on Identified, the television network FOX chose the second version of this song to be the theme for the reality TV show Cops, which premiered on March 11, 1989. As it drew larger and larger audiences all over the world, the song (that is the second recording) became a cultural hallmark, with the song representing anyone who was in trouble with the law.
  • When Cops was syndicated in Sweden at the turn of the decade, the song was released as a single there in 1991 and quickly reached #1. Soon it was a hit in many other European countries. It was not until 1993 when the song was issued as a single in the US. After the song's success in America, the band released an album in 1994 with this as the title track; the album won a Grammy in 1995 for Best Reggae Album.
  • In 1995, this was used for the soundtrack of the comedy film of the same name.
  • A completely different song with the exact same title was a hit in 1983 for Wham! >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above

Comments: 9

  • Goodboy from On MoonI used to sing that song at school when the "bullies" were near.
  • Seventhmist from 7th Heaven"Idren" is a plural noun originated from Rastafari English which means one's peers or spiritual brothers and sisters. It derives from a blend of "I" and "bredren," another Rastafarian term which means a close friend, a family member or comrade.
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxA friend of my sister’s was pulled over for speeding and when the cop came to the window, her daughter saw him and started singing “bad boys, bad boys…” The cop started laughing and let her go with a warning.
  • Esskayess from Dallas, Tx"Nobody naw give you no break
    Police naw give you no break
    Soldier mon naw give you no break
    Not even you idren naw give you no break" WHAT'S IDREN?
  • Jorge from Bronx, NyMusic wise,is a great song,began to hate it,for the simple reason,it Cops theme song,lol
  • Jonathan from Paoli, InMy mom loves cops and loves the beginning of the song. But what does the dude say. Huh or whoo?
  • Marissa from Akron, OhWhen they get to the certain point in the song I always say "COPS is filmed on location with the men and women of law enforcement. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." I just can't seem to help it.
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI saw on the news,CNN.I wish I taped it,If you steal a car,the Bad Boys by Inner Circle plays.
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI have this song in my Pure Raggea? cd.I'm always playing it.
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