A 25th anniversary edition of the album was announced and released in 2007, featuring a bonus track and new re-recordings.[4][5][6]
Background
In 1975, the Destroyers signed a recording contract with Rounder Records. With them, the Destroyers recorded three albums.[7] In 1980, rhythm guitarist Ron Smith left the band, and was replaced by saxophonist Hank "Hurricane" Carter.[8] The next year they toured as a support act for the Rolling Stones on their 1981 U.S. Tour.[9] Also that year the Destroyers embarked on their "50/50" tour,[10] during which Thorogood wrote "Bad to the Bone".[11]
In 1982, with their contract with Rounder Records expiring, the Destroyers signed with EMI America, who would help record and promote the album.[3][8]
Recording
Recording of the album began at the Dimension Sound Studios in Jamaica Plains, Boston[12] in late 1981, and finished in early 1982.[13] The album was produced by the Destroyers themselves, although Thorogood said that "whoever engineered the session took credit for being the ‘producer’."[12]The Rolling Stones keyboardist Ian Stewart played on the album, and helped record it.[2][12]
Songs
The sound of Bad to the Bone remained the same as their previous albums, with more originals written by Thorogood.[14][15]
Side one
"Back To Wentzville"
"Back To Wentzville" is the opening track of the album. It was written by George Thorogood, who wrote it as a tribute to rock pioneer Chuck Berry.[16] The Destroyers performed the song on Saturday Night Live.[17] The song is described by Gary Graff as a "Chuck Berry-styled rocker".[14]
"Blue Highway"
"Blue Highway" was written by Nick Gravenites and David Getz. It is featured on several compilation albums, including "The George Thorogood Collection".[18] "Blue Highway" is one of six songs re-recorded for the 25th Anniversary Edition of the album.[4][19]
"It's a Sin" is a song written by Jimmy Reed. The song is described as an "introspective blues ballad" by Goldmine Magazine.[23]
"New Boogie Chillun"
"New Boogie Chillun" is a song written by John Lee Hooker. The song is one of six songs re-recorded for the 25th Anniversary Edition of the album, to a new length of 7 minutes and 10 seconds.[19]
"Bad to the Bone" was released as a single on September 17, 1982. It is often considered Thorogood's best song,[14] and a staple of classic rock radio.[11] The song was not popular upon release, however, its music video received recurrent appearances on MTV.[24] The song's use in films, television, and commercials has since made it more popular.[25][26]
"Miss Luann"
"Miss Luann" is an original written by Thorogood. The guitar hook was inspired by Keith Richards.[11] Vintage Rock describes it as a "good time rocker".[27]
"As the Years Go Passing By"
"As the Years Go Passing By" was written by Harrison "Peppermint" Harris but credited to Deadric Malone. The song is described by Gary Graff as a "nice change of pace, slow and soulful with a rich sax solo by Carter."[14]
"No Particular Place to Go"
"No Particular Place to Go" is a song written by Chuck Berry. The song is often played in live performances, and is included on several live albums.[28]
"Wanted Man"
"Wanted Man" is a song by Johnny Cash, written by Bob Dylan.[29] It is the album's closing track. The song was also re-recorded for the 25th Anniversary Edition of the album.[4][19] Vintage Rock describes the re-recorded version as a "slightly slower, more ‘acoustic’ version"[27]
"That Philly Thing"
"That Philly Thing" is an instrumental song, written by Thorogood.[6] It was first released as the B-side to "Nobody but Me",[26][27] before being included as a bonus track for the 25th anniversary edition of Bad To The Bone.[4][19]
"EMI was still on the tail end of the days when people still released singles. And they released “Nobody But Me,” and they wanted an original for the flip side.", says Thorogood, "And that’s what we did with an instrumental that we were fooling around with."[6]
"Bad to the Bone" was released September 17, 1982. The song peaked at No. 27 on the Mainstream Rock chart,[33][36] but was not popular upon release. Its music video's recurrent appearances on MTV, and the song's use in films, television, and commercials has since made it more popular.[24][25][26]
2007 reissue
On August 14, 2007, a special edition of the album was released to mark the 25th anniversary of its original release.[5][27] According to Thorogood, EMI wanted the Destroyers to re-record some of the songs from the album, which they did.[6]
To support the album, The Destroyers embarked on a worldwide concert tour.[37] First playing shows in Canada in August, and the United States from mid-September[38] to December 1982.[3] In 1983 they played tour dates around the world, first playing 15 sold-out shows in Australia,[39] before going to New Zealand. They also played shows in nightclubs in Japan from February 26 to March 3.[40] After the tour dates in Japan, the band went to Europe to play a series of shows.[39]
Two music videos were filmed for songs from the album. One for "Bad to the Bone", which was directed and produced by Mark Robinson.[42] and the other for "Nobody but Me".[43]
Critical reception
Original release
Bad to the Bone received positive reviews from critics.
Lin Brehmer of WQBK wrote "George continues to infuse an old idiom with new life. The album's production sounds crisp and 'Bad To The Bone' and 'Boogie Chillun' are killers."[38]Robert Christgau says "Thorogood has added true boogie power to his blues, so his Diddley and Hooker no longer sound like three-quarter-size juke-joint facsimiles. And in a predictable trade-off, he's added true boogie macho to his persona, so he gets his rocks off complaining about the Mann Act."[49]AllMusic's Tim Sendra says "Next to Move It on Over, this is Thorogood's finest work and established him as one of the unsung heroes of the age of AOR".[15]
AllMusic's Tim Sendra says "These recordings show that the George can still whip up some excitement but they dilute the power of the original album. Plus both "Bad to the Bone" (which oddly enough seems to be missing a note in the instantly recognizable riff) and "New Boogie Chillun" are stretched out past the seven-minute mark, which might be fun in a crowded bar but are tiresome on CD."[19] The Music Box reviewer John Metzger wrote "While Bad to the Bone still isn't an essential album, it nonetheless is as enjoyable as ever."[52] William Pinfold of Record Collector wrote that "Bad To The Bone may not be George Thorogood's best album (his earlier, grittier work is perhaps more vital), but it's certainly his most typical and perhaps most consistent."[53]
^ Musician James Pobiega (stage name "Little Howlin' Wolf"), has claimed that he wrote "Bad to the Bone" and that George Thorogood stole the song from him.[24][54]
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