Released: May 16, 1988

Songwriter: Bobby Brown Daryl Simmons LA Reid Babyface

Producer: LA Reid Babyface

[Verse 1]
Girl, the only thing that matters in my life
Is that I'm down for you and treat you right
You've got no cause to treat me cold as ice

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, girl, as long as I've been giving my love to you
You should be giving me your love too, oh
But you just keep on acting just like a fool
You know it ain't cool

[Chorus]
Don't be cruel, 'cause I would never be that cruel to you
Uh no, oh oh, no
Don't be cruel
Girl, you need to change your attitude
Uh no, oh, uh don't be cruel

[Verse 2]
Hey, yo, cutie what's up with this attitude?
I thought I was being real good to you
I treat you sweet, take you out at night
But you never say thanks, girl, that ain't right
I bought you diamonds even gave you pearls
I took you for a cruise all around the world
I treat you high-post but you play me close
And if I put a drink up, you won't even toast

Girl, I work so hard for you from nine to five
So you could have the finer things in life
Since you're the kind that's never satisfied

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, girl, as long as I've been giving my heart to you
You should be giving me your heart too, oh
But you just keep on acting just like a fool
You know it ain't cool

[Chorus]
Don't be cruel, 'cause I would never be that cruel to you
Uh no, oh oh, no
Don't be cruel
Girl, you need to change your attitude
Uh no, oh, uh, don't be cruel

[Verse 3]
From fancy cars to diamond rings
I've just about given you everything
There's really not much I won't do for you
I bought you twelve yellow roses and candy too
I like to be up front and never play the back
But the way you treat me girl is like a heart attack
I'm a real troop trooper aiming for the top
And with you by my side, d-dollars I will clock

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, girl, as long as I've been giving my love to you
You should be giving me your love too, oh
But you just keep on acting just like a fool
You know it ain't cool
It just ain't cool (Hoo)

Don't be cruel
I know, oh

[Verse 4]
We used to hang out tough, just kickin' around
We discovered a love that had never been found
You gave me your heart, I gave you my mind
But a true love affair we could never find
Although I want you bad I could let you go
'Cause there's a lot of girls out there that won't say no
Lo to the fact that I want you, Jackie
I want you more than human eyes can see
But you had to start illin', tryna make a killin'
Thought about the dollars I make and you were willing
To be with me, Bobby B
But with a bad attitude I can't compete
Now you know my name, now I know your game
You want to be with me you got to be the same way
That another girl would be, and if you wanna be with me

[Chorus]
Don't be cruel (Don't be, don't be), 'cause I would never be that cruel to you
(Don't be, don't be, baby)
Uh no, oh oh, no
Don't be cruel (Don't be, don't be)
Girl, you need to change your attitude
Uh no, oh, uh, don't be cruel
Don't be cruel (Don't be, don't be), 'cause I would never be that cruel to you
(Don't be, don't be, baby)
Uh no, oh oh, no
Don't be cruel (Don't be, don't be)
Girl, you need to change your attitude (No, oh)
Uh no, oh

[Verse 5]
We used to hang out tough, just kickin' around
We discovered a love that had never been found
You gave me your heart, I gave you my mind
But a true love affair we could never find
Although I want you bad I could let you go
'Cause there's a lot of girls out there that won't say no
Lo to the fact that I want you, Jackie
I want you more than human eyes can see
But you had to start illin', tryna make a killin'
Thought about the dollars I make and you were willing
To be with me, Bobby B
But with a bad attitude I can't compete
Now you know my name, now I know your game
You want to be with me you got to be the same way
That another girl would be, and if you wanna be with me

[Chorus]
Don't be cruel, 'cause I would never be that cruel to you
Uh no, oh oh, no
Don't be cruel (Don't be, don't be)
Girl, you need to change your attitude
Uh no, oh, uh, don't be cruel
Don't be cruel (Don't be, don't be), 'cause I would never be that cruel to you
(Don't be, don't be, baby)
Uh no, oh

Bobby Brown

The King of New Jack Swing. Bobby Brown has never been afraid to push the envelope – musically, artistically or socially. His sheer bravery and brash honesty are the very characteristics that make him “Bobby Brown” – a pioneering entertainer with over three decades of experience. From his successful debut in New Edition, the boy band prototype for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men and the Backstreet Boys, to his multi-platinum career as a solo artist, Brown has left a mark on the music industry that can never be erased.