Johnny was bad, even as a child everybody could tell
Everyone said, "If you don't get straight
You'll surely go to hell."
But Johnny didn't care
He was an outlaw by the time that he was ten years old
He didn't want to do what he was told
Just a prankster, juvenile gangster
His teachers didn't understand
They kicked him out of school at a tender early age
Just because he didn't want to learn things
He had other interests
He liked to burn things!
The lady down the block
She had a radio that Johnny wanted oh so bad
So he took it the first chance he had
Then he shot her in the leg
And this is what she said:
Only a lad
You really can't blame him!
Only a lad
Society made him!
Only a lad
He's our responsibility!
Oh, oh, oohh oh oh oh
Only a lad
He really couldn't help it!
Only a lad
He didn't want to do it!
Only a lad
He's underprivileged and abused!
Perhaps a little bit confused?
Oh oh ohhh, oohhh oh oh ohh whoa whoa whoa
Oh oh ohhh, oohhh oh oh ohh whoa whoa whoa
His parents gave up
They couldn't influence his attitude
Nobody could help
The little man had no gratitude
And when he stole the car
Nobody dreamed that he would try to take it so far
He didn't mean to hit the poor man
Who had to go and die
It made the judge cry:
Only a lad
You really can't blame him!
Only a lad
Society made him!
Only a lad
He's our responsibility!
Oh oh oh, ohh ohh ohh
Only a lad
He really couldn't help it!
Only a lad
He didn't wanna do it!
Only a lad
He's underprivileged and abused!
Perhaps a little bit confused?
Oh oh oh, ohh ohh ohh
It's not his fault that he can't behave
Society's made him go astray
Perhaps if we're nice he'll go away
Perhaps he'll go away
He'll go away
Only a lad
You really can't blame him!
Only a lad
Society made him!
Only a lad
Is he our responsibility?
Hey there Johnny
You really don't fool me
You get away with murder
And you think it's funny!
You don't give a damn if we live or if we die
Oh oh oh, ohh ohh ohh oh oh
Hey there Johnny boy
I hope you fry!
Oh oh oh, ohh ohh ohh oh oh
Oh oh oh, ohh ohh ohh oh oh