Jim Steinman — Bad for Good

I know that I’m gonna be like this forever
I’m never gonna be what I should
And you think I’ll be bad for just a little while
But I know that I’ll be Bad for Good

1 The Storm (Prologue to the album “Bad for Good”) 4:29
2 Bad for Good 8:45
3 Lost Boys and Golden Girls 4:37
4 Love and Death and an American Guitar 2:39
5 Stark Raving Love 7:23
6 Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire) 6:13
7 Surf’s Up 5:26
8 Dance in My Pants 7:58
9 Left in the Dark 7:58
10 Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
(Epilogue to the album “Bad for Good”)
6:29

Words and Music, Lead Vocals and Assorted Keyboards: Jim Steinman
Produced by Todd Rundgren and Jim Steinman
Arranged by Jim Steinman with Roy Bittan and Todd Rundgren
Mixed by and produced with John Jansen

EP Selections
“The Storm”
Performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestrated and Conducted by Steven Margoshes
Produced by Andrew Kazdin

“Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through”
Produced by Jimmy Iovine and Jim Steinman
Engineered by Shelly Yakus and John Jansen

The Musicians
Guitars: Todd Rundgren
Piano: Roy Bittan
Drums: Max Weinberg
Drums: Joe Stefko
Bass: Kasim Sultan
Bass: Steve Buslowe
Featured Vocals: Rory Dodd and Karla DeVito
Background Vocals: Rory Dodd, Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sultan, Eric Troyer, Ellen Foley
Synthesizers: Roger Powell
Additional Guitars: Davey Johnstone
Percussion: Jimmy Maelen
Additional Musicians: Larry Fast, Neal Jason, Alan Schwartzberg, Steven Margoshes

Mastered at Sterling Sound NYC by George Marino (tracks 2-5); Greg Calbi (tracks 6-9); and Ted Jensen (tracks 1 and 10)

Recorded at Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York and at The Record Plant Studios, New York
Mixed at The Record Plant Studios, New York
Recorded by Gray Russell (Record Plant); Tommy Edmonds (Bearsville)
Engineered by Todd Rundgren (Bearsville) and John Jansen (Record Plant)
Production Coordinator: Gray Russell

Label Cat.No. F. Y. C. Notes
1a Epic / Cleveland Int. EPC 84361 LP 1981 NL incl. free EP with prologue and epilogue
1b Epic / Cleveland Int. EPCA 1196 7″ 1981 NL free EP with prologue and epilogue
2 Epic / Cleveland Int. EPC 11-84361 LP 1981 UK Picture Disc, no EP
3 Epic / Cleveland Int. 472042 2 CD 1992 AT

The Storm(Prologue to the album “Bad for Good”)

instrumental

Bad for Good

The sea is whipping the sky
The sky is whipping the sea
And you can hide away forever from the storm
But you’ll never hide away from me
The icy cold will cut us like a knife in the dark
And we may lose everything in the wind
But the Northern Lights are burning and they’re giving off sparks
I want to wrap myself around you like a winter skin

You know I’m onto your scent
We’re near the end of the chase
Take a look out your window and I’ll be there in the night
Where your love is so close that I can almost taste it
The cold will cut us like a knife in the dark
And we may loose everything in the wind
But the Northern Lights are burning and they’re giving off sparks
I want to wrap myself around you like a winter skin

You’ve been living your life like a girl in a cage
And you whisper when I want you to shout
And I’ll never know why you want go on sleeping
When there’s nothing left to dream about
But you better remember
If it’s something I want then it’s something I need
I wasn’t built for comfort — I was built for speed
If it’s something I want then it’s something I need
I wasn’t built for comfort — I was built for speed

And I know that I’m going to be like this forever
I’m never gonna be what I should
And you think I’ll be bad for just a little while
(think that I’ll be bad for just a little while)
But I know that I’ll be bad for good
Oh, I know that I’ll be bad for good
(I know that you’ll be bad for good) …

Your eyes are darker then sin
And I’ve been watching them glow
Take a chance on a promise and a roll of the dice
And put your foot on the gas, let it go, let it go, let it go....

You’ve been living your life like a girl in a cage
And you whisper when I want you to shout
And I’ll never know why you want go on sleeping
When there’s nothing left to dream about
But you better remember
If it’s something I want then it’s something I need
I wasn’t built for comfort — I was built for speed
If it’s something I want then it’s something I need
I wasn’t built for comfort — I was built for speed

And I know that I’m going to be like this forever
I’m never gonna be what I should
And you think I’ll be bad for just a little while
(you think I’ll be bad for just a little while)
And you think I’ll be bad for just a little while
(you think I’ll be bad for just a little while)
And you think I’ll be bad for just a little while
But I know that I’ll be bad for good
(bad for just a little while)
I know that I’ll be bad for good
(bad for just a little while)
I know that I’ll be bad for good
(I know that you’ll be bad for good)

(bad for good)
(bad for good)
(bad for good)
(bad for good)

For the good of some thrills on a long frigid night
For the good of the fire in your soul
For the good of the kiss let me hold you so tight
For the good of getting out of control
For the good of the action and a race in the dark
For the good of those chills on your spine
For the good of the rock and the roll in your heart
For the good of what’s yours and what’s mine
For the good of believing in a life after birth
For the good of your body so bright
For the good of the search for some heaven on earth
For the good of one hell of a night
For the good of one hell of a night....

For the good of the action and a race in the dark
For the good of the fire in your soul
For the good of the rock and the roll in your heart
For the good of getting out of control
For the good of believing in a life after birth
For the good of your body so bright
For the good of the search for some heaven on earth
For the good of one hell of a night
For the good of one hell of a night

God speed!
God speed!
God speed! Speed us away!
God! Speed!
God! Speed!
God! Speed! Speed us away!

Bad for good (God speed!)
I’ll be bad for good (God speed!)
I’ll be bad for good (God speed! speed us away!)
(speed us away! speed us away! speed us away! speed us away! …)

The sea is whipping the sky
The sky is whipping the sea
You can hide away forever from the storm
But you’ll never hide away from me
The icy cold will cut us like a knife in the dark
And we may loose everything in the wind
But the Northern Lights are burning and they’re giving off sparks
I want to wrap myself around you like a winter skin

I know that you can be bad
At least a little while
But if you give me a chance — give me one little chance
And give me all the love that you should
Then instead of being bad for just a little while
(instead of being bad for just a little while)
Then instead of being bad for just a little while
(instead of being bad for just a little while)
Then instead of being bad for just a little while
I’m gonna make you bad for good
(bad for just a little while)
I’m gonna make you bad for good
(bad for just a little while)
I’m gonna make you bad for good
(I know that you’ll be bad for good)
(you’ll be bad for good) …

Lost Boys and Golden Girls

Lost boys and golden girls
Down on the corner and all around the world
Lost boys and golden girls
Down on the corner and all around, all around the world

It doesn’t matter where they’re going
Or wherever they’ve been
‘Cause they got one thing in common it’s true
They’ll never let a night like tonight go to waste
And let me tell you something
Neither will you
Neither will you

We gotta be fast
We were born out of time
Born out of time and alone
And we’ll never be as young as we are right now
Running away and running for home
Running for home....

It doesn’t matter where they’re going
Or wherever they’ve been
‘Cause they got one thing in common it’s true
They’ll never let a night like tonight go to waste
And let me tell you something
Neither will you
Neither will you
Neither will you

Lost boys and golden girls
Down on the corner and all around the world
Lost boys and golden girls
Down on the corner and all around the world....

Love and Death and an American Guitar

I remember everything
I remember every little thing as if it happened only yesterday!
I was barely seventeen
And I once killed a boy with a Fender guitar
I don’t remember if it was a Telecaster or a Stratocaster
But I do remember that it had a heart of chrome
And a voice like a horny angel!

I don’t remember if it was a Telecaster or a Stratocaster
But I do remember that it wasn’t at all easy
It required the perfect combination of the right power chords
And the precise angle from which to strike
The guitar bled for about a week afterward
And the blood was, ooh, dark and rich, like wild berries
The blood of the guitar was Chuck Berry red
The guitar bled for about a week afterward
But it rung out beautifully
And I was able to play notes that I had never even heard before

So I took my guitar
And I smashed it against the wall
I smashed it against the floor
I smashed it against the body of a varsity cheerleader
I smashed it against the hood of a car
I smashed it against a 1981 Harley Davidson
The Harley howled in pain
The guitar howled in heat
And I ran up the stairs to my parents’ bedroom
Mommy and Daddy were sleeping in the moonlight
Slowly I opened the door
Creeping in the shadows
Right up to the foot of their bed
I raised the guitar high above my head
And just as I was about to bring the guitar crashing down upon the center of the bed
My father woke up screaming:
STOP! Wait a minute!
Stop it boy!
What do you think you’re doing?
That’s no way to treat an expensive musical instrument!

And I said: God damn it, Daddy!
You know I love you…
But you got a hell of a lot to learn about rock and roll!!!

Stark Raving Love

They’re howling up at the moon and moaning under the stars
Prowling in the alley and stalking all the prey in the bars
It started out as a whisper but it’s building right up into a shriek (aaah)
You don’t say nothing but you’re body really knows how to speak

And it’s the backbeat of the city on a Saturday night
If you’re to scared to jump—then you gotta be shoved
(too scared to jump then you gotta be shoved)
It’s the howling and the moaning and the crying of the lonely and a
Stark raving love
Too much is never enough
Stark raving love
I maybe desperate but I’m still looking tough
And it doesn’t even matter what you gimme (gimme) gimme (gimme)
Too much is never enough
Now my blood is pumping faster and I’m ready for a
Stark raving love

They’re burning up in their eyes and burning out in the street
Tires are burning rubber and screaming like a banshee in heat
The girls are looking really pretty and they’re looking for a moment of truth (oooh)
You’re breaking out of your chains, and you’re breaking in a new pair of boots

And it’s the backbeat of the city on a Saturday night
If you’re to scared to jump—then you gotta be shoved
(too scared to jump then you gotta be shoved)
It’s the howling and the moaning and the crying of the lonely and a
Stark raving love
Too much is never enough
Stark raving love
I maybe desperate but I’m still looking tough
And it doesn’t even matter what you gimme (gimme) gimme (gimme)
Too much is never enough
Now my blood is pumping faster and I’m ready for a
Stark raving love

Lost boys and golden girls
Down on the corner and all around the world
Lost boys and golden girls
Down on the corner and all around, all around the world

It doesn’t matter where they’re going
Or wherever they’ve been
‘Cause they got one thing in common it’s true
They’ll never let a night like tonight go to waste
And let me tell you something
Neither will you
Neither will you
Neither will you

Stark raving love
Too much is never enough
Stark raving love
I maybe desperate but I’m still looking tough
And it doesn’t even matter what you gimme (gimme) gimme (gimme)
Too much is never enough
Now my blood is pumping faster and I’m ready for a
Stark raving love....

Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire)

It’s only two o‘clock and the temperature’s beginning to soar
And all around the city you see the walking wounded and the living dead
It’s never been this hot and I’ve never been so bored
And breathing is just no fun anymore
Then I saw you like a summer dream
And you’re the answer to every prayer that I ever said
I saw you like a summer dream
And you’re the answer to every prayer that I ever said

You can feel the pulse of the pavement racing like a runaway horse
The subways are sizzling and the skin of the streets is gleaming with sweat
I’ve seen you sitting on the steps outside
And you were looking so restless and reckless and lost
I think it’s time for you to come inside
I’ll be waiting here with something that you’ll never forget
I think it’s time for you to come inside
I’ll be waiting here with something that you’ll never forget

Well come on, come on and there’ll be no turning back
You were only killing time and it can kill you right back
Come on, come on, It’s time to burn up the fuse
You got nothing to do and even less to lose
You got nothing to do and even less to lose

So wander down the ancient hallway
Taking the stairs only one at the time
Follow the sound of my heartbeat now
I’m in the room at the top, you’re at the end of the line
Open the door and lay down on the bed
The sun is just a ball of desire

And I wanna take you out of the frying pan (and into the fire)
Out of the frying pan (and into the fire)
Out of the frying pan and into the fire...

And into the fire, fire, fire
And into the fire, fire, fire
And into the fire, fire, fire
And into the fire....

It’s only two o‘clock and the temperature’s beginning to soar
And all around the city you see the walking wounded and the living dead
It’s never been this hot and I’ve never been so bored
And breathing is just no fun anymore
Then I saw you like a summer dream
And you’re the answer to every prayer that I ever said

Come on, come on and there’ll be no turning back
You were only killing time and it can kill you right back
Come on, come on, it’s time to burn up the fuse
You got nothing to do and even less to lose
You got nothing to do and even less to lose

So wander down the ancient hallway
Taking the stairs only one at the time
Follow the sound of my heartbeat now
I’m in the room at the top, you’re at the end of the line
Open the door, lay down on the bed
The sun is just a ball of desire

And I wanna take you out of the frying pan
Out of the frying pan
Out of the frying pan and into the fire

And I wanna take you out of the frying pan (and into the fire)
Out of the frying pan (and into the fire)
Out of the frying pan and into the fire

Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire, fire, fire; and into the
Fire....

Surf’s Up

The waves are pounding on the sand tonight
I want to take your hand and make it feel so right
I know I’m ready
And I’ll never be like this again

The sky is trembling and the moon is pale
We’re on the edge of forever and we’re never gonna fail
I know you’re ready
And we’re running on the back of the wind

And my body’s burning like naked wire
I want to turn on the juice
I want to fall in the fire
I’m going to drown in the ocean and the bottomless sea
I want to give you what I’m hoping you’ll be giving’ to me

And when the waves are pounding on the sand tonight
I want to take your hand
And make it good and make right
And now sky is trembling
And the moon is pale
We’re on the edge of forever
And we’re never gonna fail
No—

How hard?
How hard?
How hard do I gotta try?

Surf’s up
Surf’s up
Surf’s up and so am I
Surf’s up
And so am I....

And my body’s burning like naked wire
I want to turn on the juice
I want to fall in the fire
I’m going to drown in the ocean and the bottomless sea
I want to give you what I’m hoping you’ll be giving’ to me

And when the waves are pounding on the sand tonight
I want to take your hand
And make it good and make right
And now sky is trembling
And the moon is pale
We’re on the edge of forever
And we’re never gonna fail
No—

How hard?
How hard?
How hard do I gotta try?

(I want all of your love)
Surf’s up
(I need it so bad)
Surf’s up
(I need it so bad)
Surf’s up and so am I
(I gotta give you some love)
Surf’s up
And so am I

And so am I
And so am I
And so am I....

Dance in My Pants

Girl: Hey! Listen now it’s coming so close
I’ll let the rhythm surround me
I’m getting itchy and I’m ready to move
I’m mighty glad that you found me
There’s a drummer going at it way down in the core of my soul
There’s no escaping the music and I’m psyching up my feat
And they’re telling me we’re ready to roll

There are times when I can fight it but now’s the time I want to give in
Sooner or later we’ll get around to the love
But now it’s time to shake it
Oh baby, let the party begin
Baby, let the party begin

When I woke up this morning and I looked out my window
I could see the sky was cloudy and gray
There was a chill in the air and a pain in my heart
And the thunder it was coming my way
Oh, it was looking pretty bad and I was so alone
And there wasn’t any place to go
But now I’m out of the blue, I know what I got to do
And something in me is starting to grow
I can feel it in me starting to grow grow grow grow grow…

I got dance in my pants
Every time I feel the power in a radio wave I turn it up all the way
I got dance in pants
Every time I see the glory of a good-looking face
Well, I just got to say: Hey now
Don’t you worry, baby, everything will be fine
And we got nothing but the best and we got nothing but time
And there’ll always be a time when they’ll be waiting in line
To be dancing, dancing
You don’t say nothing all week
You’re getting ready for dancing, dancing
And now you’re body really knows how to speak
You’re getting ready for dancing, dancing
You don’t say nothing all week
You’re getting ready for dancing, dancing
And now you’re body really knows how to speak
You’re getting ready
Come on, take a chance
You got a whole lotta style and a load of romance
And me, me, me… I got dance in my pants…
I got dance in my pants…
I got dance in my pants…

Boy: I’m a lover not a dancer
I’m a lover not a dancer
Don’t want to be on my feet when I can be on my back
Don’t want to be on the floor when I can be in the sack
I’m a lover not a dancer
I’m a lover not a dancer
I’m just a little bit tired if you know what I mean
Don’t want to be in a crowd when I can be in a dream
I’m a lover not a dancer, baby
Baby, let me prove it to you
Baby, let me prove it to you

Girl: Well we can rock it really hard or we can roll it really slow
We can lift it really high or we can dip it really low
We can hold it in tight, or we can let it all out
Or we can work up a sweat and really stomp it and shout
Let me pull you so close and then we’ll break away fast
We’ll be the best on the floor, we got the cool and the flash
We’ll make a dangerous turn but we’ll come out of it fine
I know the best of the moves, we’ll get them right everytime

Boy: I’m a lover not a dancer
I’m a lover not a dancer
Don’t want to be on my feet when I can be on my back
Don’t want to be on the floor when I can be in the sack
I’m a lover not a dancer
I’m a lover not a dancer
I’m just a little bit tired if you know what I mean
Don’t want to be in a crowd when I can be in a dream
I’m a lover not a dancer, baby
Baby, let me prove it to you
Baby, let me prove it to you

Boy: I don’t care what you say
Ain’t nothing going to get me out on that floor!
Girl: Oh baby, you know there may be some moves
That you haven’t ever seen yet…
Boy: No way, Jose!
Girl: Well, I got a new step for you—
Made it up all by myself
I bet you never tried this before! …

Boy:Oh, Jeez…
Girl:Come on
Boy:Oh, Jeez…
Girl:Come on!
Boy:Oh, Jeez…

Girl: Now that you know how it’s done, it’s only a matter of practice!
Boy: Well, I could sure use some of that practice…
Girl: Now that you know how it’s done, it’s only a matter of practice!

Boy: Grow, grow, grow, grow…
Grow, grow, grow, grow…
Now, now, now, now…

I got dance in my pants
Every time I feel the power in a radio wave I turn it up all the way
I got dance in pants
Every time I see the glory of a good-looking face
Well, I just got to say: Hey now
Don’t you worry, baby, everything will be fine
And we got nothing but the best and we got nothing but time
And there’ll always be a time when they’ll be waiting in line
To be dancing, dancing
You don’t say nothing all week
You’re getting ready for dancing, dancing
And now you’re body really knows how to speak
You’re getting ready for dancing, dancing
You don’t say nothing all week
You’re getting ready for dancing, dancing
And now you’re body really knows how to speak
You’re getting ready
Come on, take a chance
You got a whole lotta style and a load of romance
And me, me, me… I got dance in my pants…

Girl: I’ll crank it up all the way
They’ll never get me to stop
I gotta stay in motion ’til the moment that I finally drop
When they decide that I’m gone
I know they’re gonna try to put me to rest
But I won’t be afraid
Because I know, I know there’s dance after death…

Boy: Oooh, I know there’s dance after death

And I don’t ever wanna be rescued
And I don’t ever wanna be saved
I got the feeling that I’m gonna be alive forever
Dancing on the edge of a grave
Dancing on the edge of a grave

Both: And I don’t ever wanna be rescued
And I don’t ever wanna be saved
I got the feeling that I’m gonna be alive forever
Dancing on the edge of a grave
Dancing on the edge of a
Dancing on the edge of a
Dancing on the edge of a grave…

Left in the Dark

Where did he touch you, and how did it feel?
Why did you let it begin?
What did he whisper, and when did you cry?
And where did you think it’ll end?
How long did you do it, and why did you stop?
Did you get to try anything new?
How good was he, honestly? Where did you go?
And who made the very first move?

You don’t have to sneak in the door
Just come on into the room
I’ve been lying in our bed in the dark all alone
And I’ve been waiting, I’ve been waiting for you

There’s been no reason to move
It’s been as still as a tomb
I needed you oh so badly tonight
But I guess you had better things to do

I should have known that it was coming to this
But I must have been blind
I bet you still got a trace of his love in your eyes
And you still got his eyes on your mind

You swore you’d be with me at 7 o‘clock
Now it’s a quarter to 3
Well whatever you got and whoever it was
I guess you couldn’t get it from me
Whatever you’ve got and whoever it was
I guess you couldn’t get it from me

I know that you love me
There’s no need to talk
I see the look in your eyes and I got the proof
And there are no lies on your body
So take of your dress
Oh — I just want to get at the truth

I know that you love me
There’s no need to talk
I see the look in your eyes and I got the proof
And there are no lies on your body
So take of your dress
I just want to get at the truth

And there are so many things that I’ve just got to know
You tell me who! You tell me where! You tell me when!
But don’t tell me now, I don’t need any answers tonight
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again

Left in the dark again....

I should have known that it was coming to this
But I must have been blind
I bet you still got a trace of his love in your eyes
And you still got his eyes on your mind

You swore you’d be with me at 7 o‘clock
Now it’s a quarter to 3
Well whatever you got and whoever it was
I guess you couldn’t get it from me
I guess you couldn’t get it from me
But down in my soul, down in my soul
I know—

I know that you love me
There’s no need to talk
I see the look in your eyes and I got the proof
And there are no lies on your body
So take of your dress
Oh — I just want to get at the truth

And there are so many things that I’ve just got to know
You tell me who! You tell me where! You tell me when!
But don’t tell me now, I don’t need any answers tonight
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again
I just need some love so turn out the lights
And I’ll be left in the dark again

Left in the dark again...

Did he ever get rough? Did you ever get tender?
Did it leave any scars, do you expect them to heal?
What did he look like? Did he remind you off me?
Were you willing to beg or to kneel?
Did he keep his eyes open? Did you bother to look?
Or was he only a kid after all?
Where did he touch you and how did it feel?
And if you need him again, will he still be on call?
And who made the very first move?
Who made the very first move?
Who made the very first move....

Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through Epilogue to the album “Bad for Good”

Hmm yeah

You can’t run away forever
But there’s nothing wrong with getting a good head start
You want to shut out the night
You want to shut down the sun
You want to shut away the pieces of a broken heart

Think of how we’d lay down together
We’d be listening to the radio so loud and so strong
Every golden nugget coming like a gift of the gods
Someone must have blessed us when he gave us those songs

I treasure your love
I never want to lose it
You’ve been through the fires of Hell
And I know you’ve got the ashes to prove it

I treasure your love
I want to show you how to use it
You’ve been through a lot of pain in the dirt
And I know you’ve got the scars to prove it

Remember everything that I told you
And I’m telling you again that it’s true:
When you’re alone and afraid and you’re completely amazed
To find there is nothing anybody can do
Keep on believing
And you’ll discover baby

There’s always something magic
There’s always something new
And when you really really need it the most
That’s when rock and roll dreams come through

The beat is yours forever
The beat is always new
And when you really need it the most
That’s when rock and roll dreams come through … for you…

I treasure your love
I never want to lose it
You’ve been through the fires of Hell
And I know you’ve got the ashes to prove it

I treasure your love
I want to show you how to use it
You’ve been through a lot of pain in the dirt
And I know you’ve got the scars to prove it

Remember everything that I told you
And I’m telling you again that it’s true
You’re never alone ‘cause you can put on the phones
And let the drummer tell your heart what to do
Keep on believing
And you’ll discover baby

There’s always something magic
There’s always something new
And when you really really need it the most
That’s when rock and roll dreams come through

The beat is yours forever
The beat is always new
And when you really need it the most
That’s when rock and roll dreams come through … for you…

(the beat is yours forever)
(that’s when rock and roll dreams come through)
(the beat is yours forever)
(that’s when rock and roll dreams come through)
(repeat and fade)

(that’s when rock and roll dreams come through)
(rock and roll dreams, aaah)

(the beat is yours forever)
(that’s when rock and roll dreams come through)
(the beat is yours forever)
(that’s when rock and roll dreams come through)
(repeat)

© 1981 Neverland Music and Lost Boys Music (BMI)