[Intro: Nathan Morris]
Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh

[Verse 1: Nathan Morris, Boyz II Men]
I don't understand your thinking
Thought we were happy, guess I was mistaken
Gave you all my love and my attention
(Say you don't 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: Boyz II Men, Nathan Morris]
First you want a guy that's real nice
That'll spend all his dough and his time (And his time)
But then you change your mind and want a thug guy (Thug guy)
That won't act right
It doesn't pay to be the good guy (It don't pay)
You callin' me late nights
Tellin' me how he won't act right
Stayin' with him but he makes you cry (Makes you cry)
Tell me why (Tell me why)
Doesn't pay to be the good guy

[Chorus: Boyz II Men, Nathan Morris]
'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 (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, why
[Verse 2: Shawn Stockman, Boyz II Men]
I don't understand your reason
Say you love me, then say 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)
For 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: Boyz II Men, Shawn Stockman]
First you want a guy that's real nice
That'll spend all his dough and his time (His time)
But then you change your mind and want a thug guy
That won't act right (Act right)
It doesn't pay to be the good guy (It don't pay)
You callin' me late nights
Tellin' me how he won't act right
Stayin' with him but he makes you cry (You cry)
Tell me why (Tell me why)
Doesn't pay to be the good guy (No, no)

[Chorus: Boyz II Men]
'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
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, why
[Bridge: Wanya Morris, Boyz II Men]
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'll 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: Boyz II Men, Wanya Morris]
'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 (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, 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
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, 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
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, why
[Outro: Boyz II Men]
'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
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, why