Take Five: Bad Company

Something of a supergroup, Bad Company was a fixture on American FM radio of the 1970s. The blues-based hard rock band was based in the UK but found more commercial success with record releases and tours in the United States. The original lineup featured vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke (both of whom had been in Free), former Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and Boz Burrell, formerly bassist in King Crimson. That classic lineup released six albums between 1974 and 1982; the group would continue with other singers and a late-period reunion, but it’s that ‘70s era Bad Co. music that fans remember.

Bad Company’s second LP, the triple-Platinum selling Straight Shooter turned 50 years old this March. On that auspicious occasion, here’s a look at five great tracks from the group.

“Can’t Get Enough” from Bad Company (1974)
Building on the sound and style that Rodgers and Kirke had popularized with in Free, Bad Company roared out of the gate with “Can’t Get Enough,” a swaggering song with sharp hooks, rock-solid rhythm section and a strong, arena-rock vocal from Paul Rodgers. Like all of the ‘70s Bad Company LPs, their self-titled debut was released on Swan Song, Led Zeppelin’s record label.

“Feel Like Makin’ Love” from Straight Shooter (1975)
In the ‘70s, anyone who tuned into an FM rock radio station or visited a bar with live rock music would have heard “Feel Like Makin’ Love” countless times. Released as a single, the tune shot to the #10 spot in the U.S.; it also charted in the UK, Canada and New Zealand. Int was one of two hit singles from Straight Shooter; the other was “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad,” also a Top 40 single in the U.S.

“Young Blood” from Run with the Pack (1976)
Songwriters Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller and Doc Pomus had written many hits for a variety of artists including Elvis Presley. Their “Young Blood” was a hit for The Coasters in 1957 (#1 R&B, #8 Billboard Hot 100). Nearly two decades later, Bad Company covered the tune, proving yet again that a great song is a great song… in any era.

“Silver, Blue & Gold” from Run with the Pack (1976)
Bad Company’s third studio album would spawn three singles; “Young Blood” and “Honey Child” charted, while the title track did not. But on FM radio – where album tracks, not singles – reigned supreme, three of the albums songs became popular. While “Silver, Blue & Gold” wasn’t a single, it would become one of Bad Company’s most enduring and popular tracks.

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” from Desolation Angels (1979)
The final big hit of the group’s original run, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” had all of the elements of a successful Bad Co. tune. After the release of 1979’s Rough Diamonds, Paul Rodgers left; a new lineup moved in a more pop direction and found sustained success on the U.S. Mainstream chart, placing an amazing 12 songs on that chart between 1982 and 1999… but that’s another story.