That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy

Album: That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • AOL asked Keith whether this song, about a guy who thinks he's basically misunderstood, was semi-autobiographical. He replied: "You ask any guy's wife or girlfriend, and she can find some things she don't like about him, but that don't make him a bad guy. When me and Bobby Pinson wrote the song together, we wanted to be as clever as we could in saying, 'Yeah, so what? I drink whiskey from a cheap paper cup.' And then, I'll drink a pot of joe after I sober up kind of stuff. So there's little things that you're probably not going to like about me, honey, but that don't make me a bad guy. We just wanted to be as clever as we could and really hook a great melody that sounds like me. My favorite line that seals it up is, 'I'm only good as I gotta be.'"
  • In the album's press release Keith explained: "We had an idea about a guy who lives a party lifestyle, and it's kind of a tongue-in-cheek, 'Hey, this is all the stuff I do. So what?' Works great as the first song on the album, and the title track."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.