Mr. Bad Example
Warren Zevon
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I started as an altar boy working at the church Learning all my holy moves doing some research Which led me to a cash box labelled "Children's Fund" I'd leave the change and tuck the bills inside my cummerbund I got a part-time job at my father's carpet store Laying tactless stripping and housewives by the score I loaded up their furniture and took it to Spokane Auctioned off every last Naugahyde divan I'm very well acquainted with the seven deadly sins I keep a busy schedule trying to fit them in I'm proud to be a glutton and I don't have time for sloth I'm greedy and I'm angry and I don't care who I cross [CHORUS] I'm, intruder in the dirt I like to have a good time and I don't care who gets hurt I'm, take a look at me I'll live to be a hundred and go down in history Of course I went to law school and got a law degree And counseled all my clients to plead insanity Then worked in hair replacement swindling the bald Where very few are chosen, fewer still are called Then on to Monte Carlo play chemin de fer I threw away the fortune I made transplanting hair I put my last few francs down on a prostitute Who took me up to her room to perform the flag salute Whereupon I stole her passport and her wig And headed for the airport and the midnight flight, you dig? Fourteen hours later I was down in Adelaide Looking through the want ads sipping Foster's in the shade I opened up an agency somewhere down the line To hire aboriginals to work the opal mines But I attached their wages and took a whopping cut And whisked away their workman's comp and pauperized the lot [CHORUS] I bought a first class ticket on Malaysian Air Landed in Sri Lanka none the worse for wear I'm thinking of retiring from all my dirty deals See you in the next life, wake me up for meals
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Written by: Jorge A. Calderon, Warren Zevon
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Date"Mr. Bad Example" was released in 1991, as the title track on Warren Zevon's studio album of the same name.
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GenreThe song falls under the Rock genre and can be further classified as Folk Rock and Pop Rock.
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LyricsThe song is known for its satirical, witty lyrics which tell the story of a crafty, morally bankrupt individual travelling around the world, partaking in a variety of unethical actions. This also reflects Zevon’s signature dark, dry humor.
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CollaborationZevon co-wrote "Mr. Bad Example" with writer/musician Jorge Calderón, who also co-produced Zevon's "Mr. Bad Example" album.
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Cultural Influence"Mr. Bad Example" has been covered by several artists, including the punk band "The Offspring" during live performances.
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Critical ReceptionAlthough the song was not a chart hit, it is often cited by critics and fans as a standout track in Zevon's discography for its narrative lyrical style and Zevon's vocal delivery.
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LanguageThe song features a line of Spanish lyrics, reflecting Zevon's habit of incorporating global influences into his music.
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Popular Culture"Mr. Bad Example" was used in the hit TV series "Californication", "Malcolm in the Middle" and "My Name is Earl", further extending its cultural impact.
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Interesting FactThe swindling character in the song is claimed to be loosely based on Warren Zevon's own life, perhaps a self-deprecating nod to his own past indiscretions.
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Music VideoThe music video for "Mr. Bad Example" is an animated video, which depicts the protagonist of the song going through all the misadventures described in the lyrics.
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Citation
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