"Bad Company" is a song by the hard rock band Bad Company that was released on their debut album Bad Company in 1974. Co-written by the group's lead singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, the song's meaning comes from a book on Victorian morals. Ultimate Classic Rock described the song as having a "western vibe" and Rodgers has said that it has "an almost biblical, promise-land kind of lawless feel to it."
Reception Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw rated it as Bad Company's all-time best song, particularly praising the "legendary piano opening." Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome also rated it as Bad Company's best song, praising the "dusty atmosphere [as well as] Rodgers' almost enigmatic vocals and [Mick] Ralphs' haunting guitar chime." Classic Rock History critic Janey Roberts rated it as Bad Company's 4th best song, praising the "haunting piano riff that oozed around Paul Rodgers silk vocal line" at the start of the song as well as the "powerhouse chorus."
Personnel Paul Rodgers – vocals, piano Mick Ralphs – guitar Boz Burrell – bass Simon Kirke – drums
Five Finger Death Punch cover
Five Finger Death Punch frequently performs a cover of this song live, and recorded the song for their second album War Is the Answer. The song has a significantly heavier tone to it, along with several lyrical edits ("I was born a shotgun in my hands", "the death punch sound is our claim to fame"). The song has been used as entrance music by pitchers Drew Storen, Jake Arrieta and Madison Bumgarner.
Track listing
Charts Weekly charts Chart (2010–2011) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (2010) Position US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard) 29
Certifications
Band members Zoltan Bathory – guitars Jason Hook – guitars (original 5FDP version] Ivan Moody – vocals Matt Snell – bass (original 5FDP version) Jeremy Spencer – drums (original 5FDP version) Chris Kael – bass (re-recorded version) Andy James – guitars (re-recorded version) Charlie Engen – drums (re-recorded version)
Other notable covers Rickie Lee Jones recorded a version of the song which was used as the opening track of her cover album Kicks.
In 2025, Charley Crockett covered the song for the tribute album Can't Get Enough: A Tribute To Bad Company along with the band, serving as one of the album's lead singles.
References
External links Lyrics of live cover by Queen + Paul Rodgers from Live in Ukraine, from Queen official website