Good boys bad boys quotes come from the long-running TV show Cops, which followed police officers on patrol catching criminals. The show opened with the tagline “Cops is filmed on location with the men and women of law enforcement. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.” This was followed by the announcer saying “Bad boys, bad boys, what’cha gonna do? What’cha gonna do when they come for you?” as officers were shown arresting suspects. This line became a famous and often-quoted part of pop culture. Here is a deeper look at the history and meaning behind this quote.
Origin of the Quote
The “bad boys bad boys” line originated from the 1987 reggae song “Bad Boys” by Inner Circle. The song was written about the crime and police corruption in Inner Circle’s hometown of Kingston, Jamaica. However, it took on new meaning when the producers of Cops chose it as the TV show’s theme song when it debuted in 1989. The line “bad boys, bad boys, what’cha gonna do?” was a perfect fit for a show about police catching criminals. While Inner Circle sang the full chorus, the producers chose to have just the “bad boys” line repeated as officers were shown making arrests. This created an iconic TV moment that became ingrained in viewers’ minds.
Lyrics to “Bad Boys” by Inner Circle
Here is the full chorus to “Bad Boys” by Inner Circle:
Bad boys, bad boys
What’cha gonna do, what’cha gonna do
When they come for you
Bad boys, bad boys
What’cha gonna do, what’cha gonna do
When they come for you
The lyrics are a taunt, asking the “bad boys” – criminals and corrupt police officers – what they will do when the authorities catch up to them and they have to face justice for their actions.
Use of the Quote on Cops
The “bad boys” quote on Cops was only the first line of the chorus – “bad boys bad boys, what’cha gonna do?” – but it became synonymous with the show. The Cops announcer would dramatically repeat it as the camera focused in on officers arresting and apprehending suspects. It seemed to be addressing the criminals, asking them what they thought they could get away with now that the police were there to stop them. The quote captured the show’s spirit of celebrating law enforcement catching the “bad guys.”
Why the Quote Was So Memorable
Several factors made the “bad boys” quote memorable and impactful on Cops:
- The dramatic, tense tone when the announcer recited it
- The timing, coming right before the arrests and takedowns of suspects
- The implication that the “bad boys” had been caught and would face consequences
- The authoritative stance of addressing the criminals directly
- The satisfaction of seeing lawbreakers receive justice
The quote summed up the show’s concept and viewpoint in a simple, catchy way that stuck with viewers and became an iconic line.
Significance in Pop Culture
Beyond Cops, “bad boys bad boys” became a widely recognized quote in films, TV shows, songs, and everyday life. Some examples of its pop culture significance include:
- Being quoted by Will Smith in the 1995 film Bad Boys
- Being referenced in songs like “Bad Boys for Life” by P. Diddy, Black Rob, and Mark Curry
- Being parodied in shows like The Simpsons and South Park
- Being used in memes and internet jokes about criminal behavior
- Being recognizable even to those unfamiliar with Cops as representing police arrests
The quote encapsulated an attitude and concept that resonated beyond just the show. It represents authority figures admonishing wrongdoers in a defiant, mocking tone. The line’s fame has far outlasted Cops itself, which ended its 33-season run in 2020 due to criticism about glorifying police aggression.
Analysis of the Quote’s Cultural Meaning
The widespread popularity of “bad boys bad boys” demonstrates some cultural aspects of America, including:
- Fascination with crime and punishment
- Appreciation for authority and condemnation of lawbreakers
- A black-and-white view of police as heroes and criminals as villains
- A sense of satisfaction when wrongdoers receive justice
- Embracing of simplistic, aggressive solutions over nuance
However, the quote has also faced backlash in recent years for celebrating police brutality and marginalizing communities impacted by over-policing and racism. Its meaning continues evolving along with views on law enforcement and justice.
Notable Examples from Film and TV
Some of the most famous uses of the “bad boys” quote or references to it include:
Bad Boys Movie
In the 1995 action comedy film Bad Boys, Will Smith’s character Mike Lowrey taunts drug cartel foot soldiers by quoting the full “bad boys bad boys” chorus to intimidate them right before a shootout.
The Simpsons
In the 1996 episode “22 Short Films About Springfield,” Bart Simpson gets arrested for shoplifting and the officers say “Bad boys, bad boys, what’cha gonna do? What’cha gonna do when Sheriff John comes for you?”
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
In this 2001 comedy, Jay and Silent Bob are pulled over, and Jay starts singing “Bad boys, bad boys, what’cha gonna do? What’cha gonna do when the sheriff John Brown comes for you?”
| Show | Quote Variation |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons | “Bad boys, bad boys, what’cha gonna do? What’cha gonna do when Sheriff John comes for you?” |
| Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back | “Bad boys, bad boys, what’cha gonna do? What’cha gonna do when the sheriff John Brown comes for you?” |
Breaking Down the Lyrics
Looking at the full chorus of “Bad Boys” provides insight into the meaning behind the infamous “bad boys bad boys” line:
“Bad boys, bad boys”
This establishes who the subject is – the “bad boys” being addressed.
“What’cha gonna do, what’cha gonna do”
This asks what actions the “bad boys” will take when confronted with consequences.
“When they come for you”
This implies impending consequences closing in on the “bad boys.”
“Bad boys, bad boys”
Repeating this phrase drives home who is being addressed and criticized – the wrongdoers.
So the full meaning is essentially taunting criminals and corrupt police by asking what they’re going to do now that justice is coming for them.
Uses in Music
Beyond its origin in the Inner Circle song, “bad boys” has been referenced in numerous rap and hip hop songs, including:
- “Bad Boys for Life” by Puff Daddy, Black Rob, and Mark Curry – Samples the “bad boys” line and chorus
- “Hate It or Love It” by The Game – Says “Cops be watchin’ n***as like it’s Bad Boys III”
- “Renegade” by Jay Z – Includes line “Whatcha gonna do when they come for you, bad boys?”
- “Survival of the Fittest” by Mobb Deep – Uses quote “Bad boys n***as with head full of braids, runnin’ like they bad boys”
Rappers identify with being the persecuted “bad boys” and subvert the quote’s original meaning to imply defiance in the face of authority harassment.
Significance in Hip Hop Culture
The “bad boys” quote took on a deeper meaning in hip hop as representing:
- Embracing the “bad boy” label as a point of pride
- Criticism of excessive police targeting of minorities
- Showing toughness when facing unjust consequences
- Flipping the script to advocate for marginalized groups
By co-opting the quote, rappers give power and voice to those persecuted as “bad boys” unfairly by corrupt systems.
Parodies and Pop Culture References
The iconic “bad boys” line has been parodied and referenced extensively on TV, in comedy bits, memes, and more. Some notable examples include:
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
On this cop sitcom, Detective Jake Peralta once sang his own version: “Cool motels, Yemenelves, what’cha gonna do? What’cha gonna do when the Nine-Nine comes for you?”
Key & Peele Sketch
A Key & Peele sketch parodies Cops by having police confront suburban white kids aggressively and say “Good kids, mad at their dads, what’cha gonna do?”
Internet Memes
The quote frequently appears in image macros and memes mocking criminal behavior or bad decision making, like:
Bad boys, bad boys
Whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do when you can’t pay your student loans due?
It remains a recognizable way to signal someone is in trouble for misdeeds, even in silly or mocking contexts.
Counterarguments and Controversies
While “bad boys bad boys” is familiar pop culture shorthand for getting in trouble with the law, the quote has also faced significant backlash and counterarguments, including:
Promoting Police Brutality
Using police aggression as entertainment normalization violence, particularly against marginalized groups.
Trivializing Complex Issues
Framing societal issues as simply “good” police versus “bad” individuals overlooks broader systemic problems.
Racial Bias
The quote has often accompanied footage of police stopping people of color, fueling arguments about racial profiling.
Mocking the Accused
Its tone mocks and dehumanizes suspects before they are proven guilty.
Pop Culture Dilution
The quote’s ubiquity in memes and jokes dilutes its connection to real-world policing controversies.
So while the line remains culturally recognizable, many now view it as an outdated relic due to changing attitudes on criminal justice reform.
Contemporary Analysis
With current debates over policing, racism, and the justice system, analysis of the decades-old “bad boys” quote can provide insight into how society’s perspectives have evolved on:
Police and Power
The quote represents a shift away from unconditionally glorifying law enforcement and towards scrutinizing the harmful impacts of over-policing.
Racial Bias
It exemplifies coded language that justifies excessive force against people of color.
Toxic Masculinity
Framing police as the heroic tough guys and criminals as the “bad boys” they must subdue promotes regressive gender roles.
Reality TV Impact
The Cops show pioneered turning real-life law enforcement into entertainment, with lasting influence and ethical implications.
So while the quote may now provoke eye rolls, examining its legacy provides useful perspectives on society then versus now.
Conclusion
The “bad boys bad boys” line introduced on the TV show Cops became ingrained in pop culture and ubiquitous in films, songs, jokes and everyday language. But its meaning has evolved from celebrating police heroics to facing critiques of promoting profiling, violence, and toxic masculinity. As viral as the quote remains, current attitudes on law enforcement, racism, and justice mean its heyday has largely passed.
Yet the longevity of “bad boys bad boys” in the cultural lexicon shows how impactful and complex even a short catchphrase can become. Originating in one context, it was adapted to reflect changing societal perspectives over 30+ years of references and analysis. All from a five-second TV intro that became an unlikely yet enduring piece of entertainment history.