Theodore Anthony Nugent (born December 13, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Redford, Michigan. He started as the lead guitarist of the rock band The Amboy Dukes. After dissolving the band, he embarked on a successful solo career in the 1970s and 1980s. His second live album Intensities in 10 Cities consists of 10 songs recorded during the last ten dates of his 1980 tour; it was released on March 2, 1981.
Its 4th track, the song “Jailbait,” sparked a controversy because of his cynical description of an affair with a 13 years old girl. Nugent claims to have “no inhibitions,” he can “steal a car” or an “old lady’s purse.” He meets a “jail-bait” (underage girl) and does not care if she is “just thirteen;” he must have her “in a matter of time.” Her mother will be pleased, because “she’s got this craving for the underage,” so he just might be her “brand new rage.” Finally, when a policeman comes to arrest him, he proposes to put the handcuff on the girl rather than on him, so they can both share her.
Here is a music video of the song from YouTube:
Here are the lyrics from Genius:
Jailbait
I’ve got no inhibitions
So keep your keys out of your ignition
I steal a car like I got the curse
I can’t resist the old lady’s purse
Jailbait you look so good to me
Jailbait won’t you set me free
Jailbait you look fine, fine, fine
And I know I’ve got to have you in a matter of time
Well, I don’t care if you’re just thirteen
You look too good to be true
I just know that you’re probably clean
There’s one little think I got do to you
Jailbait you look so good to me
Jailbait won’t you set me free
Jailbait you look fine, fine, fine
And I know I’ve got to have you in a matter of time
Sad but true
So tell your mama that I’m back in town
She likes us boys when it’s time to get down
She’s got this craving for the underage
I just might be your mama’s brand new rage
Jailbait you look so good to me
Jailbait won’t you set me free
Jailbait you look fine, fine, fine
And I know I’ve gots to have you in a matter of time, now babe
Honey, you, you, you look so nice
She’s young, she’s tender
Won’t you please surrender
She so fine, she’s mine
All the time, I woke my mind
It’s all right baby, it’s quite all right I asked your mama
Wait a minute officer; wait a minute officer
Don’t put those handcuffs on me, what about her?
Hey, I’ll share her with you!
