Ever since I can remember I have heard a certain phrase
In every walk of life someone has told me to behave
It started when with my mother back when I was comin' four
Once when neighbors kept me mother told me at the door

Now Tommy you'd better be a good boy
Honey I know that gleam in your eye
Sonny you'd better be a good boy
Now Tommy you'd better be nice

Then I went to get my schoolin' just like everybody does
And I guess I wadn't perfect like that Tracy Alstead was
The teacher seemed to watch me out the corner of her eye
And just for teasin' Susie Miss Crow took me aside

Now Tommy you'd better be a good boy
Or I promise you'll pay the price
Young fellow you'd better be a good boy
Now Tommy let's be nice

[ guitar ]
Well the years have come and gone and now I'm goin' with a girl
I like to smell her perfume and touch her fluffy curl
And I'm still not overtrusted so I hear that same old thing
Just when I get acquainted then here it comes again

Tommy you'd better be a good boy
Now honey I see that gleam in your eye
Tommy you'd better be a good boy
Now Tommy you'd better be nice
You'd better be nice you'd better be nice
You'd better be umm nice