(Music: Hall; Lyrics: Hall/Oates/S. Allen)


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


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


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


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


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 OK, OK

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


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