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

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?