Released: September 12, 2000

Songwriter: Nathan Morris Wanyá Morris Shawn Stockman Michael McCary Kandi Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs

Producer: Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs

[Intro]
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh ohh

[Verse 1: Nathan]
I don't understand your thinking
Thought we were happy, guess I was mistaken
Gave you all my love and my attention
(Say you dont want me) 'cause something is missing
Gave you all you wanted and you know it's true
All that I was doin' it meant nothing to you
And if I dogged you out, we'd probably be cool
But I was good to you, so good

[Pre-Chorus]
First you want a guy that's real nice
That'll spend all his dough and his time
But then you change your mind and want a thug guy
That won't act right
It doesn't pay to be the good guy
You callin' me late nights
Tellin' me how he won't act right
Stayin' with him but he makes you cry
Tell me why
Doesn't pay to be the good guy

[Chorus]
'Cause every time I try to be the good guy
You take me for granted, throw me to the side
Rather have a man that'll tell you lies
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why should I be the good guy
And get left for the man that don't treat you right?
There's nothing good in being good guys
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why

[Verse 2: Shawn]
I don't understand your reason
Sayin' you love me, then sayin' you're leavin'
The situation here is really changin'
Don't wanna fall in love 'cause you played me (oh)
You've gotta be kiddin' me (no)
Been tryin' to get rid of me
I did more for you than any brother would do
I was good to you, so good

[Pre-Chorus]
First you want a guy that's real nice
That'll spend all his dough and his time
But then you change your mind and want a thug guy
That won't act right
It doesn't pay to be the good guy
You callin' me late nights
Tellin' me how he won't act right
Stayin' with him but he makes you cry
Tell me why
Doesn't pay to be the good guy

[Chorus]
'Cause every time I try to be the good guy
You take me for granted, throw me to the side
Rather have a man that'll tell you lies
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why should I be the good guy
And get left for the man that don't treat you right?
There's nothing good in being good guys
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why

[Bridge: Wanya]
I was good to you (I played the fool)
Played the fool for you
You messed it up for the next girl in my life
I'll never do
The things I do for you
Our love just wasn't true
I was good to you, so good to you
So good to you
Every time I try...

[Chorus]
'Cause every time I try to be the good guy
You take me for granted, throw me to the side
Rather have a man that'll tell you lies
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why should I be the good guy
And get left for the man that don't treat you right?
There's nothing good in being good guys
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
'Cause every time I try to be the good guy
You take me for granted, throw me to the side
Rather have a man that'll tell you lies
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why should I be the good guy
And get left for the man that don't treat you right?
There's nothing good in being good guys
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
'Cause every time I try to be the good guy
You take me for granted, throw me to the side
Rather have a man that'll tell you lies
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why should I be the good guy
And get left for the man that don't treat you right?
There's nothing good in being good guys
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
'Cause every time I try to be the good guy
You take me for granted, throw me to the side
Rather have a man that'll tell you lies
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why should I be the good guy
And get left for the man that don't treat you right?
There's nothing good in being good guys
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why

Boyz II Men

Boyz II Men is an R&B vocal quartet from Philadelphia who became the most successful pop group of the 1990s. They’re best known for their passionate ballads, including the number one hits “End of The Road,” “On Bended Knee,” and “I’ll Make Love To You.”

An early version of the group was founded by Nathan Morris in the mid 1980s while attending the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where he recruited students Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Michael McCary. Singer Marc Nelson was also an early member, but left the group before their big break.

The group—who took its name from New Edition’s song “Boys To Men”—was discovered in 1988 after auditioning for New Edition’s Michael Bivins backstage at a concert. Bivins signed the group to his management company and secured them a contract with Motown Records.