Warren Zevon - Mr. Bad Example Lyrics






I started as an alter boy, working at the church
Learning all my holy moves, doing some research
Which led me to a cash box, labeled "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 tackless stripping, and housewives by the score
I loaded up their furniture, and took it to Spokane
And auctioned off every last naugahyde divan

I'm very well aquainted 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

I'm Mr. Bad Example, intruder in the dirt
I like to have a good time, and I don't care who gets hurt
I'm Mr. Bad Example, take a look at me
I'll live to be a hundred, and go down in infamy

Of course I went to law school and took a law degree
And counseled all my clients to plead insanity
Then worked in hair replacement, swindling the bald
Where very few are chosen, and fewer still are called

Then on to Monte Carlo to 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?
And fourteen hours later I was down in Adelaide
Looking through the want ads sipping Fosters 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

I'm Mr. Bad Example, intruder in the dirt
I like to have a good time, and I don't care who gets hurt
I'm Mr. Bad Example, take a look at me
I'll live to be a hundred and go down in infamy

I bought a first class ticket on Malaysian Air
And landed in Sri Lanka none the worse for wear
I'm thinking of retiring from all my dirty deals
I'll see you in the next life, wake me up for meals





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Warren Zevon Mr. Bad Example Comments
  1. C.... K....

    21 year old me: hahah that’s great what a guy
    34 year old balder me: those poor swindled bald people!

  2. a.... ....

    I am listening this while doing Flag Salute.

  3. D.... J....

    I didn't know Jordan Belfort had a theme song

  4. W.... H....

    Gone but never forgotten, a true poetic genius.

  5. H.... H....

    This song reminds me of Wario

  6. L.... E....

    Perform the flag SALUTE!!!!

  7. m.... i....

    Donald Trump brought me here.

  8. p.... F....

    The seven deadly sins keep me buisy !!!

  9. D.... J....

    The anthem of politicians

  10. C.... Z....

    I started as an alter boy, working at the church
    Learning all my holy moves, doing some research
    Which led me to a cash box, labeled "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 tackless stripping, and housewives by the score
    I loaded up their furniture, and took it to Spokane
    And auctioned off every last naugahyde divan

    I'm very well aquainted 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

    I'm Mr. Bad Example, intruder in the dirt
    I like to have a good time, and I don't care who gets hurt
    I'm Mr. Bad Example, take a look at me
    I'll live to be a hundred, and go down in infamy

    Of course I went to law school and took a law degree
    And counseled all my clients to plead insanity
    Then worked in hair replacement, swindling the bald
    Where very few are chosen, and fewer still are called

    Then on to Monte Carlo to 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?
    And fourteen hours later I was down in Adelaide
    Looking through the want ads sipping Fosters 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

    I'm Mr. Bad Example, intruder in the dirt
    I like to have a good time, and I don't care who gets hurt
    I'm Mr. Bad Example, take a look at me
    I'll live to be a hundred and go down in infamy

    I bought a first class ticket on Malaysian Air
    And landed in Sri Lanka none the worse for wear
    I'm thinking of retiring from all my dirty deals
    I'll see you in the next life, wake me up for meals

  11. S.... W....

    Once had those exact words written in a official Navy evaluation about me.

    Damn I was proud.

  12. W.... ....

    Do as I say not as I do! Thanks Warren - God Speed - R.I.P.

  13. J.... G....

    Ahh yes when you rob a whore then you're full Chad.

  14. L.... O....

    you have gone down in infamy

  15. T.... R....

    THE greatest story teller of all time. And i will die on this hill defending him.

  16. S.... P....

    Can we us this instead of Hail to the chief while Trump disgrace the Whitehouse?

  17. S.... H....

    I want someone to use this song in a movie soundtrack. It’d be great for a dark-comedy villain montage.

  18. m.... ....

    One of the greatest works of lyricism in the history of the English language!

  19. J.... M....

    Mr. Bad Example = Chief Orange Hair Small Hands.

  20. T.... G....

    He might be bad, but the Mr. Bad Example character is quite the traveled entrepreneur

  21. S.... D....

    Song About Donald Trump!

    Except the Law School part! 😂

  22. s.... z....

    You knew what life is like. Rip. I'll meet you one day.

  23. N.... V....

    Inspired by Albert Hammond much? hehe Free Electric Band teenie bitt? any takers? hehe

  24. m.... s....

    Remind you of someone in today's news. Mentioned in Parliament

  25. J.... C....

    It probably says a lot about my upbringing that this song was one of my favorite songs when I was little. I used to dance around the living room to this song singing along when my parents would play Warren's albums all those years ago.

  26. S.... S....

    Stevie nicks is my girl and i hope Fleetwood Mac enjoys Chicago tomorrow night. Thanks God. Blessed not special.

  27. M.... E....

    “Swindling the bald...” 😂

  28. R.... C....

    heaven....a hot chic...whiskey..porn...warren...naked...not asking much....just those request..

  29. A.... ....

    I hope I can be this big a scumbag one day.

  30. A.... B....

    I wish I could send this song to Trump and his band of "Mr. Bad Examples" !

  31. C.... B....

    If only my life was this cool

  32. m.... t....

    A lot of Mr. Zevon's music is a grand march!

  33. T.... G....

    I always like to end a night of rough degeneracy from booze and grass with this anthem.

  34. Y.... P....

    This has 49 dislikes, but those are all bad examples.

    Y.... P....

    No, those are the good examples - but we don't need them.

    I can't fit them in.

  35. r.... c....

    Don't forget he got his last sandwich when he got to see his last James Bond movie like he wanted. Remember folks we all might be having our last sandwich one day or another.

    r.... c....

    He also lived to see his twin grandchildren born.
    I hate that he died but am glad he lived to see all he did.

  36. C.... S....

    I will have this song played at my funeral.

  37. J.... M....

    "Of COURSE I went to law school..."

  38. K.... L....

    RIP Warren we Miss You ,
    I will see you soon. 💀

  39. s.... s....

    This song kinda reminds me of someone in the white house

  40. I.... a....

    ~I only know of heaven for my too many trip to hell.~ wjs I have found my redemption! When you complain about the fairnees of life and the scales not tipped in your favor.....(?)..... Blame me, blame me, for I am the recipent of the goodies... To the cats who fell as I walked by, I thank you little pussies, may you rest in peace.

  41. H.... S....

    He just must have been brain damaged...in the most wonderful kind of way!!!

  42. d.... j....

    this should be changed to a song about Killery Clinton. kill Roy was here 2017.. hhhee

    d.... j....

    Shove your political BS up yerass.

  43. W.... M....

    Renee Riley  Mrs. Bad Example for real

  44. E.... N....

    I blame the American public school system for not teaching me about Warren Zevon.

  45. T.... L....

    this one goes out: to my destructive/psycho father! like Pablo Escobar/Rumplestiltskin etc.. & Donny Boy Trump

  46. C.... ....

    "I'll live to be a hundred" until Life'll Kill Ya was released

    C.... ....

    Actually released before "the diagnosis" - but, yeah - it will.

  47. Z.... C....

    "I'll live to be a hundred and go down in infamy" Well I guess we know how that turned out, don't we?

  48. S.... R....

    That's some f-ed up shit! awesome lyrical talent...

  49. P.... V....

    The tune reminds me of something else but I can't think what. Any suggestions, anyone ?

  50. D.... ....

    Just superb

  51. j.... c....

    I was introduced to WZ in '78 and he has been a life long companion thru thick and thin. Rock the pillars of Heaven, indeed.

  52. S.... R....

    Why doesn't someone play this song to scenes with Quark from Deep Space 9? THAT WOULD ROCK!

  53. L.... M....

    Too Damn perfect! My ex was an Australian lawyer (born in Adelaide, btw) who was with a hair loss company after blowing his career trying to get rich quick. Don't think he's in Sri Lanka now, however. RIP, Warren.

  54. T.... M....

    Sang this song in an Irish pub in Dublin pissed to the gills, spilled a dram of Bushmills in a toast to the man.

    T.... M....

    Perfect song for an Irish Pub!!

  55. h.... s....

    BRENDAN...........luv ya man

  56. m.... c....

    "Of course I went to Law School"

    m.... c....

    But is your baby a basket case?

  57. O.... f....

    22 viewers wanted a good example.

  58. S.... C....

    I'm going to sell the contents of storage, as soon as I return call it November (=÷,/)

  59. l.... d....

    you a bitch

    l.... d....

    Learn to form a proper sentence.

    l.... d....

    +Josh Thompson yes tell 'em

  60. D.... A....

    Not too bad .. Only 19 assholes.. Oops 43 assholes

  61. Y.... ....

    This song is almost perfect, but it desperately needs accordion.

    Y.... ....

    +mrkwst22 I agree I can hear the squeeze box also

    Y.... ....

    mommas got a squeezebox ,daddy never sleeps at night

    Y.... ....

    Cowbills too! You can never get enough .

    Y.... ....

    Mama's got it. She wears it on her chest.

    Y.... ....

    YAUUN thank you, weird Al Yankovik. 😉

  62. k.... ....

    As I listen to the song and look at the pic in the video, I see Walter White over Warren XD

    k.... ....

    This song and Lawyers Guns and Money should both be in Better Call Saul.

  63. m.... ....

    He was following me and writing down my activities.

  64. J.... R....

    A perfect song.

  65. m.... s....

    How lucky were we of a certain time: Randy Newman AND Warren Zevon, out of LA both, to chronicle the world the found with humor and clarity, albeit in different ways.

    m.... s....

    Don't forget Tom Waits....

    m.... s....

    Another artist with a bent perspective also out of LA I believe around the same time, Stan Ridgway - more than a few classic lines.

    m.... s....

    Not to forget that Frank Zappa was running those same circuits with his twisted views...which appear to have been visionary.

    m.... s....

    Really stoked by your observation.  Thank you and thank you for being.

  66. J.... S....

    Malaysian Air: BAD EXAMPLE

  67. W.... ....

    Drinking & Marching around the house !!!

    W.... ....

    In boxer shorts

    W.... ....

    Redrum Naked

  68. M.... ....

    Definitely a mad example LOL

  69. L.... S....

    Lawyers guns money

  70. K.... H....

    Twelve years ago today the world lost a massive, irreplaceable talent. Twelve years ago today I lost my comfort, my inspiration, my idol....I lost Warren. Twelve years on, I still can find no other comfort, inspiration or idol to compare with him. How can I ? You cannot replace the irreplaceable. Thank you, Warren, for teaching me how the human heart works. Rock the pillars of Heaven, my friend.

    K.... H....

    @Nathan VanDuser I can only commend you on your insight, your appreciation of one of a man who could lay bare the deepest, darkest recesses of the human soul, show us the awakening wonder of love, and hold up the kaleidoscope of life, with its ever-changing views....a true artist, painting images with his music and his words.. ..Warren Zevon. Never forget.....

    K.... H....

    I was five when he passed, the day he died I actually started ball my eyes so bad my school sent me home.. our teacher would leave a radio out during a break and the first station on was a news station but to my surprise she left it on for a few minutes when the news came over she rushed to turn it off - I freaked as if my father died or my mother died I had to have the most over reaction to his death he would have been disappointed

    K.... H....

    My parents always listened to him when I was a kid. I've introduced him to lots of folks and ever single one loves him. My folks are lucky enough to have seen him live several times. One time, when my mom was pregnant with me, so I was sort of there. I am about to order my "enjoy every sandwich" t shirt.

    K.... H....

    Lol this song sound's a lot like me😂😂😂😂😂

  71. N.... H....

    Just the best. Just the best of all of us. His music should be included in every music course in the country.

  72. M.... A....

    Fittin' in the Seven Deadly Sins. Classic!

    M.... A....

    what can I say that y'all haven't said already. Mother Theresa got sainted today, I think Warren should be in that league.

  73. S.... ....

    Is it bad that I identify with like half of the stuff the protagonist of this story does with his life?

    S.... ....

    @StavroginNikolai Because most people are stupid, I guess.

    S.... ....

    I do the same. I tell them I'm not a good person. they still come. of course the badge and uniform helps but hell, combine that with just being a massive ass to women.... they can't stay away. I don't understand it but glad it works.

    S.... ....

    StavroginNikolai my name is literally Roland after the gunner himself how do you think I feel.. all I need is my head blown off and I'll be good

    S.... ....

    bad ..... in a good sorta way

    S.... ....

    StavroginNikolai Only half ...... slacker.

  74. G.... C....

    Fully agree on Life:
    Just wake me up for meals!
    :))

  75. L.... G....

    Friggin' Warren. He always puts a smile on my face. Enjoy every sandwich.

  76. J.... ....

    Werewolves and Lawyers are everybody's - and his cousin's - go tos for Warren Zevon songs, but members of Club Depravity - i.e. WZevon aficionados - know THIS tune's the password gets you pass the doorman. ;-)

  77. H.... N....

    www- Whisky, Weed and Warren Zevon.

    H.... N....

    @Haon Nesretep You keep the whiskey. I'll take the other two...

    H.... N....

    @James Murphy No whiskey! D8 Whiskey's great!!! Especially a good brand on the rocks!;)

    H.... N....

    And don't forget women

    H.... N....

    Yes, all 3 and there's no better way!

    H.... N....

    Hank Moody said it best! The 3W's are necessary in any mans life!

  78. p.... ....

    seven deadly sins?...just bout sums me up 

    p.... ....

    paulken11 only seven? I've discovered at least four additional sins. 😉

  79. l.... ....

    i hav 6 diff w z albums in my car, this song is on none of them

    l.... ....

    There is a Mr. Bad Example album (1991?)

    l.... ....

    Sounds like you need a 7th my man.

    l.... ....

    +lukassnakeman I own 3, and this song is on two

  80. n.... ....

    my god this is wonderful. a self appointed scum bag, 

  81. h.... ....

    live'll kill ya

  82. s.... ....

    If I'm not mistaken Duke was loosely based on Hunter S Thompson.

  83. m.... ....

    Everyone of us has done somethings like this at different times and at different levels. The lesson is to not take your sins so seriously and never allow someone else to persecute you with their attitudes or laws!
    Mr Bad example is all of us and non of us at the same time. All the same.

  84. l.... ....

    we all want to be mr. bad example

    l.... ....

    lukassnakeman what do you mean, "want to be?" I've been the go-to bad example for two generations now. 😂

  85. B.... S....

    Right up there for me, too.

  86. D.... D....

    It's my favorite WZ song.

  87. J.... L....

    don't really know about album for album (love excitable boy), but an extended Zevon best of is a must for any collection.

  88. R.... K....

    Duke was based on Hunter S. Thompson, who was in fact a good friend of Warren's. RIP to them both, they're laughing at us right now.

  89. e.... ....

    This song always reminds me of "Duke" from the comic strip _Doonesbury._ I wonder if WZ was a _Doonesbury_ fan? Would Gary Trudeau know?

    e.... ....

    Warren was friends with Hunter Thompson.
    Doonesbury's Duke is based on HST's Raoul Duke.

  90. W.... ....

    If you only would have lived to be a hundred. This world misses you and your songs, Mr. Z.

  91. s.... ....

    To all the Bankers ,Politicians ,Weapon builders ,Drug dealers ,And Pimps of the NATION ! Go fuck yourselves !

  92. D.... ....

    listen to "the hockey song"

    D.... ....

    Devi1sBackboneTavern what's a Canadian farm boy supposed to do??

    D.... ....

    Hit somebody!

    D.... ....

    Dave Letterman on vocals - find that on another record ;-)

  93. N.... ....

    he kinda looks like walter white in the picture too lol

  94. C.... B....

    Thanks for printing out the lyrics; they're really funny and clever. Another of Zevon's less
    known songs, that is, if you don't know too much about him. Explore him enough, and
    you'll want more.

  95. C.... B....

    Warren was bad, but his humor is well known. This song is an Example of his creative
    genius. But he was also known for his kindness at times as well.

  96. D.... ....

    I think of Breaking Bad when I hear this song. Walter White.

  97. 1.... ....

    A story of a horrible guy, but it's funny as hell!