George Thorogood, Bad to the Bone | Throwback Vibez

In the 150^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood & The Destroyers. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 150^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Bad to the Bone”, performed by George Thorogood & The Destroyers.

“Bad to the bone / Bad to the bone / B-b-b-b-bad  / Bad to the bone.” George Thorogood & The Destroyers exemplify badassery in their 1982 classic, “Bad to the Bone”. Although “Bad to The Bone” has become a fixture in pop culture, surprisingly, the record was NOT a hit !  Utter blasphemy if you ask me.  Nonetheless, Thorogood’s 1982 album, also titled, Bad To The Bone, was certified gold by the RIAA in 1985.  Now that accomplishment right there is pretty badass!

“Bad to the Bone” interpolates a 1950s blues classic, “Mannish Boy (I’m a Man)” by the legendary Muddy Waters.  Besides the interpolation, George serves as the writer.  Furthermore, he’s the lead vocalist and guitarist. Who helps to elevate the bad-assery besides Thorogood’s playful vocals? Well, Hank Carter blows the hell out of the saxophone ,   Ian Stewart handles the keys , Billy Bough covers the low end (the bass),  and Jeff Simon is on drums . Thorogood has no shortage of personality, with plenty of fun lyrics.  In the first verse, he speaks of the nurse’s assessment of his bad-ness: “The head nurse spoke up / Said, ‘Leave this one alone,’ / She could tell right away / That I was bad to the bone.” The second verse is suggestive: “I broke a thousand hearts / Before I met you / I’ll break a thousand more, baby / Before I am through.” There are two more verses, finding Thorogood confirming the fact that he is – wait for it – “Bad to the Bone”. Billboard Hot 100 chart be damned, this song right here is the sugar honey iced tea.

Appears in :

• 11 Skeletal, Hella Bony, Bone Songs (2023)

George Thorogood & The Destroyers • Bad To The Bone • EMI • 1982

George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Bad to the Bone: Throwback Vibez No. 150 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; EMI; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]