Bad Reputation [Damn Yankees, featuring Tommy Shaw]

Bad Reputation
Written by Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent
Lead Vocals by Jack Blades

When you wake up in the morning, and you’re lyin’ in my bed
Do you think of me, how I made you scream
It was an all night love affair (are you ready, I’m ready)
Say "Mary go 'round again"
Would a lollipop get ya back on top from the candy man, yeah friend?

Got a hunger for affection, I just can’t get enough
Well I read you, baby, like an open book
Now the doctor’s in, let me take a look
Say yeah, yeah, s’alright

I got a bad, bad reputation
(I got) a bad, bad reputation

When you step into the spotlight, you’re a cherry red machine
(wanna touch you, wanna taste you)
Wanna kiss you in between
You legs say action, your body built for speed
I know what I do for you, won’t you do the same for me

Did I mention my intentions?
I just can’t get enough
You can huff and puff, try to blow me down
But the big bad wolf is back in town
Say yeah, yeah, I’ll bite

I got a bad, bad reputation
A bad, bad reputation

Ever heard the story (said it’s true)
'Bout a travellin’ man (he’d been around)
He could have any woman (welcome to)
Palm of his hand (blow ya down)
She could never fight it (no she won’t)
'Cause you know she needs it so bad, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah...

Bad, bad reputation (repeats, fades)

Interpretation

I have a reputation as a lover who will take advantage of a girl if she lets me.

There are many expressions and plays on words to not-to-subtly make the point:

• Say "Mary go 'round again" refers to a merry-go-round, otherwise known as a carousel.
• Would a lollipop get ya back on top from the candy man, yeah friend? is likening the act of sucking on a lollipop to fellatio.
• Well I read you, baby, like an open book
• Now the doctor’s in, let me take a look brings to mind a gynaecologist giving a woman an exam.
• You’re a cherry red machine is an interesting color choice, since "cherry" is also a slang term for the hymen.
• Wanna kiss you in between doesn't finish the phrase, which implies kissing her between her legs.
• You can huff and puff, try to blow me down, but the big bad wolf is back in town is a reference to the story of Little Red Riding Hood to liken the man to the "big bad wolf" while depicting the girls as trying to blow him down, which may be a reference to "blow job".