Stagecoach lady, hourglass body
Making things glow in the night
Well, she would if she could, and she’d be good if she would only
Tell her lover she be out tonight
Because I’m a bad
A lonely school boy
And I’m a rat
And it’s too bad, can’t get me none of that!
Salt Lake City, salt-licking bitties
Bogies turn, stinking of gin
Well my daddy was hard, his face was pretty scarred
From kicking ass and playing poker to win
Because I’m a bad
A lonely school boy
And I’m a rat
And it’s too bad, can’t get me none of that!
It’s too bad
And it’s too bad
Can’t get me none of that!
Loose sold lady, my mama Katie
Chivalry was born at her feet
Well she should have thought twice
When pa showed his dice
The night they put my daddy to sleep
Because I’m a bad
A lonely school boy
And I’m a rat
And it’s too bad, can’t get me none of that!
It’s too bad, Lord, it’s too bad!
I said it’s too bad, Lord, it’s too bad!
I said it’s too bad, it’s too bad!
You know it’s too bad, it’s too bad!
Lyrical Analysis: Wild Nights and Restless Hearts
“S.O.S. (Too Bad)” by Aerosmith dives deep into the gritty underbelly of American rock and roll, painting vivid scenes of raw desire, rebellion, and longing. The lyrics introduce us to characters living on the edge—stagecoach ladies, hard-faced gamblers, and lonesome schoolboys. Steven Tyler’s storytelling is both sultry and tongue-in-cheek, capturing a sense of frustration and yearning for something out of reach. The chorus, “It’s too bad, can’t get me none of that!” becomes a rallying cry for those who feel caught between temptation and unattainability, echoing the restless spirit that defines much of Aerosmith’s early work.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry
- Release Year: 1974
- Label: Columbia Records