Hall & Oates

Songwriter: Daryl Hall John Oates Sara Allen

Producer: Daryl Hall John Oates

[Verse 1]
I know you know all the pros and cons
They help you get to everything you want
Greasing policemen bending all the rules
Make them an offer that they can't refuse
One crime baby I can't forgive
The kind that hurts where I live
I'm a nice guy I try to wait and see
If you'll get caught or go free

[Chorus]
You stole my heart and left me blue
It look like crime pays for you
You do it and you get away
It seem like crime pays
Crime pays

[Verse 2]
Beat the heat but you couldn't pay me off
You're staying cool no matter what it costs
You get caught you'll never do the time
I have to say you've got a way with one crime baby I can't forgive
The kind that hurts where I live
It's all too clear but I still don't see
Why all the guilty go free?

[Chorus]
You stole my heart and left me blue
It look like crime pays for you
You do it and you get away
It seems like crime pays
Crime pays
It seems like crime pays
Crime pays

[Verse 3]
Catch a thief and let her go
You won't get back the love she stole
Shake her down but she don't mind
'Cause she commit the perfect crime okay, okay
You know I know you're a pro and con artiste
Oh, baby you're a false alarm
Why do I try to play it by the rules?
I was the victim but I'm not a fool

[Chorus]
You stole my heart and left me blue
It looks like crime pays for you
You do it and you get away
It seems like crime pays

Hall & Oates released the first of their 18 albums in 1972 on Atlantic Records. They would go on to sell 13 million albums and 6 million singles primarily during the 70’s and 80’s when they recorded their most prolific and profound music. They blended rock, jazz, soul, and pop create a genre they titled rock and soul.

While their technical musicianship, innovative songwriting styles, and popular live performances were praised, they also had a fruitful partnership with their manager Tommy Mottola, who was helped Hall & Oates break into music videos before they were popular and made profitable financial deals by helping them get on the ground level of and corporate sponsorship of tours. Hall & Oates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

more tracks from the album

H2O

From the albums

H2O (1982)
H2O (Remastered) (2004)

Hall & Oates popular songs

Crime PaysHall & Oates

Hall & Oates

H2O