About The Song
“Bad Company” was written by Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke, performed by Bad Company, and released in August 1974 as the second single from their self-titled debut album Bad Company on Island Records in the UK and Swan Song Records in the US. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending two weeks at the top starting November 2, 1974, marking their first major chart success.
The song was recorded at Headley Grange in Hampshire, England, and mixed at Island Studios, produced by Eddie Kramer. The track features Paul Rodgers on lead vocals and guitar, Mick Ralphs on lead guitar, Boz Burrell on bass, and Simon Kirke on drums, with a gritty, blues-rock sound defining its character. It runs 4:50 on the album version.
The lyrics narrate the journey of an outlaw band, with lines like “A company, always on the run.” Rodgers and Kirke drew inspiration from the 1972 Western film Bad Company, blending themes of freedom and rebellion into a hard rock anthem that resonated with the era’s rock audience.
The recording captured a raw, live feel, utilizing the natural acoustics of Headley Grange, a former workhouse. The song’s distinctive piano intro, played by Rodgers, and Ralphs’ searing guitar solo contributed to its iconic status in classic rock.
Upon release, “Bad Company” achieved significant success, spending 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and helping the album reach quadruple platinum status. It has appeared on compilations like 10 from 6 (1985) and The Original Bad Co. Anthology (1999), remaining a live performance staple.
Bad Company, formed in 1973 by former members of Free, Mott the Hoople, and King Crimson, promoted the single with extensive tours across the US and UK. The music video, though not widely released in 1974, includes live footage from that period, later compiled in retrospectives like the 2006 DVD Live at Wembley.
The track has been covered by artists like Five Finger Death Punch and featured in films like Wild Hogs (2007). It was ranked No. 35 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs, solidifying its legacy as a cornerstone of 1970s rock music.
Video
Lyric
Company, always on the run
Destiny is a rising sun
Oh, I was born, six-gun in my hand
Behind a gun, I’ll make my final standThat’s why they call me
Bad company
And I can’t deny
Bad company
‘Til the day I die‘Til the day I die
‘Til the day I dieRebel souls, deserters we are called
Chose a gun and threw away the sword
Oh, now these towns, they all know our name
Six-gun sound is our claim to fameI can hear ’em say
Bad company
And I won’t deny
Bad company
‘Til the day I die‘Til the day I die
‘Til the day I die(Instrumental break)
Company, always on the run
Destiny is a rising sun
Oh, I was born, six-gun in my hand
Behind a gun, I’ll make my final standThat’s why they call me
Bad company
And I can’t deny
Bad company
‘Til the day I die‘Til the day I die
‘Til the day I die
Bad company
Oh yeah
‘Til the day I die