View source for Bad to the Bone (George Thorogood and the Destroyers album)

{{Infobox album
| name         = Bad to the Bone
| type         = Studio Album
| artist       = [[George Thorogood and the Destroyers]]
| cover        = George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Bad To The Bone.jpg
| released     = August 9, 1982
| recorded     = 1981–1982
| studio       = Dimension Sound Studios, [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
| genre        = *[[Blues rock]]
*[[boogie rock]]
*[[hard rock]]
| length       = 41:38 <br> 75:33 (25th Anniversary Edition)
| label        = [[EMI America Records|EMI America]]
| producer     = The Delaware Destroyers
| prev_title   = [[More George Thorogood and the Destroyers]]
| prev_year    = 1980
| next_title   = [[Maverick (George Thorogood and the Destroyers album)|Maverick]]
| next_year    = 1985
| misc         = {{Singles
| name        = Bad to the Bone
| type        = studio
| single1     = [[Nobody but Me (The Isley Brothers song)|Nobody but Me]]
| single1date = July 1982
| single2     = [[Bad to the Bone]]
| single2date = September 17, 1982
}}
}}
'''''Bad to the Bone''''' is the fifth [[studio album]] by American [[blues rock]] band [[George Thorogood|George Thorogood and the Destroyers]]. It was released [[1982 in music|in 1982]] by the label [[EMI America Records]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |last2=Wardlaw |first2=Matt |title=35 Years Ago: George Thorogood Releases the Career-Defining ‘Bad to the Bone’ |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/george-thorogood-bad-to-the-bone/}}</ref> The album contains the Destroyers' best known song, "[[Bad to the Bone]]". The album also features [[The Rolling Stones|Rolling Stones]] side-man [[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]] on piano.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Friedlander |first=Matt |title=George Thorogood and the Destroyers' 'Bad to the Bone' album celebrates 40th b-b-b-b-b-birthday |url=https://digital.abcaudio.com/news/george-thorogood-and-destroyers-bad-bone-album-celebrates-40th-b-b-b-b-b-birthday |website=ABC Digital Syndication}}</ref> The band promoted the album with a worldwide tour; there was also a large marketing campaign by their label.<ref name="Certs82">{{cite magazine |date=June 19, 1982 |title=EMI Pact Gives Thorogood "Best of Both Worlds" |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1982/CB-1982-06-19.pdf |access-date= |magazine=[[Cash Box magazine|Cash Box]] |pages=8, 14 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
A 25th anniversary edition of the album was announced and released in 2007, featuring a bonus track and new re-recordings.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bad To The Bone 25th Anniversary Edition |url=https://www.georgethorogood.com/bad-to-the-bone-25th-anniversary-edition.html}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Thorogood celebrates 25 years of 'Bad' |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2007/08/14/Thorogood-celebrates-25-years-of-Bad/54111187098811/?sl=7 |website=UPI}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Goldmine Staff |title=Backstage Pass: Is George Thorogood still 'Bad to the Bone?' |url=https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/backstage-pass-is-george-thorogood-still-bad-to-the-bone |website=Goldmine Magazine}}</ref>
== Background ==
In 1974, the Destroyers signed a recording contract with [[Rounder Records]]. With them, the Destroyers recorded three albums.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=George Thorogood Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-thorogood-mn0000647834#biography |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> In 1980, rhythm guitarist Ron Smith left the band, and was replaced by saxophonist Hank "Hurricane" Carter.<ref name=":02" /> The next year they toured as a support act for [[the Rolling Stones]] on their [[The Rolling Stones American Tour 1981|1981 U.S. Tour]].<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]] |date=1997 |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |isbn=1-85227-745-9 |editor-last=Larkin |editor-first=Colin |editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer) |edition=Concise |pages=1177/8}}</ref> Also that year the Destroyers embarked embarked on their "50/50" tour,<ref>{{cite news |last=Arar |first=Yardena |date=October 20, 1981 |title=Thorogood will play 50 states in 50 days |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19811020&id=o1ROAAAAIBAJ&pg=7027,2023867 |access-date= |newspaper=The Spokesman Review}}</ref> during which Thorogood wrote "[[Bad to the Bone]]".<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Wardlaw |first=Matt |title=The Story Behind George Thorogood’s Slow-Developing ‘Bad to the Bone’ |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/george-thorogood-bad-to-the-bone-song/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref>
In 1982, with their contract with [[Rounder Records]] expiring, the Destroyers signed with [[EMI America Records|EMI America]], who would help record and promote the album.<ref name="Certs82" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=uDiscover Team |date=March 8, 2020 |title=George Thorogood - Prodigiously-Talented Boogie Blues Guitarist |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/george-thorogood/ |website=uDiscover Music}}</ref>
== Recording ==
Recording of the album began at the Dimension Sound Studios in [[Jamaica Plain]]s, [[Boston]]<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Henry |title=The story behind George Thorogood & The Destroyers' Bad To The Bone |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/george-thorogood-bad-to-the-bone |website=Classic Rock}}</ref> in late 1981, and finished in early 1982.<ref name=":6" /> The album was produced by the Destroyers themselves, although Thorogood said that "whoever engineered the session took credit for being the ‘producer’."<ref name=":22" /> [[The Rolling Stones]] keyboardist [[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]] played on the album, and helped record it.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":22" />
== Songs ==
The sound of ''Bad to the Bone'' remained the same as their previous albums, with more originals written by Thorogood.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Graff |first=Gary |date=August 20, 2022 |title=‘Bad to the Bone': Beyond George Thorogood’s Hit Song |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/george-thorogood-bad-to-the-bone-other-songs/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{cite web |title=Tim Sendra - Bad to the Bone |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/bad-to-the-bone-mw0000650889 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
=== 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]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Durchholz |first=Daniel |date=March 6, 2016 |title=George Thorogood gives thanks to his musical heroes |url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/george-thorogood-gives-thanks-to-his-musical-heroes/article_6b3d39e6-ea64-56f1-b513-17420e635e84.html |access-date= |newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]}}</ref> The song is described by Gary Graff as a "Chuck Berry-styled rocker".<ref name=":10" />
==== "Blue Highway" ====
"Blue Highway" was written by [[Nick Gravenites]] and David Getz. It is featured on several [[compilation album]]s, including "The George Thorogood Collection".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The George Thorogood Collection - George Thorogood {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-george-thorogood-collection-mw0000969843 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> "Blue Highway" is one of six songs re-recorded for the 25th Anniversary Edition of the album.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":11" />
==== "Nobody but Me" ====
"Nobody but Me" is a cover of the [[The Human Beinz]] song of the same name, written by [[The Isley Brothers]]. It was the lead single from the album.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":23">{{Cite magazine |date=August 7, 1982 |title=News & Reviews |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1982/CB-1982-08-07.pdf |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |page=8 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> While the song did not enter the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], it did peak at number six on the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100]] extension chart.<ref name=":12" /><ref name="BB-Sept-018">{{cite magazine |title=Billboard Sept. 18, 1982 |date=September 18, 1982 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-09-18.pdf |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=59 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> The song is often played live.
==== "It's a Sin" ====
"It's a Sin" is a song written by [[Jimmy Reed]]. The song is described as an "introspective blues ballad" by [[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine Magazine]].<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last=Goldmine |date=March 2, 2018 |title=George Thorogood & The Destroyers to release three essential albums in new vinyl LP editions |url=https://www.goldminemag.com/news/george-thorogood-destroyers-release-three-essential-albums-new-vinyl-lp-editions |website=Goldmine Magazine}}</ref>
==== "New Boogie Chillun" ====
"[[Boogie Chillen'|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.<ref name=":11" />
=== Side two ===
==== "Bad to the Bone" ====
{{Main|Bad to the Bone}}
"Bad to the Bone" was released September 17, 1982. It is often considered Thorogood's best song,<ref name=":10" /> and a staple of [[Classic rock|classic rock radio]].<ref name=":9" /> The song was not popular upon release, however, its music video received recurrent appearances on [[MTV]]. The song's use in films, television, and commercials has since made it more popular.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7" />
==== "Miss Luann" ====
"Miss Luann" is an original written by Thorogood. The guitar hook was inspired by [[Keith Richards]].<ref name=":9" /> Vintage Rock describes it as a "good time rocker".<ref name=":14" />
==== "As the Years Go Passing By" ====
"As the Years Go Passing By" was written by [[Peppermint Harris|Harrison "Peppermint" Harris]] but credited to [[Don Robey|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."<ref name=":10" />
==== "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 some live albums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No Particular Place to Go - George Thorogood & the Destroyers {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/no-particular-place-to-go-mt0005415311#variations |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
==== "Wanted Man" ====
"Wanted Man" is a song by [[Johnny Cash]], written by [[Bob Dylan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaffer |first=Claire |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Hear Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash’s Original Demo for ‘Wanted Man’ |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bob-dylan-johnny-cash-wanted-man-demo-901611/ |website=Rolling Stone}}</ref> It is the album's closing track. The song was also re-recorded for the 25th Anniversary Edition of the album.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":11" /> Vintage Rock describes the re-recorded version as a "slightly slower, more ‘acoustic’ version"<ref name=":14" />
=== "That Philly Thing" ===
"That Philly Thing" is an [[instrumental]] song, written by Thorogood.<ref name=":3" /> It was first released as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] to "Nobody but Me",<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":14" /> before being included as a bonus track for the 25th anniversary edition of Bad To The Bone.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":11" /> According to Thorogood, EMI America wanted an original for the B-side to "Nobody but Me", so they recorded "That Philly Thing".<ref name=":3" />
== Release ==
[[EMI America Records|EMI America]] released ''Bad To The Bone'' on August 9, 1982.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":02" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Adam |first= |title=George Thorogood & The Destroyers ‘Bad to the Bone’ Turns (almost) 40 |url=https://rock929rocks.com/listicle/george-thorogood-the-destroyers-bad-to-the-bone-turns-almost-40/ |website=ROCK 92.9}}</ref> Copies of the album were shipped on July 26.<ref name="Certs82" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 19, 1982 |title=Thorogood Getting Boost Via EMI America Tie |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-06-19.pdf |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=9 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> ''Bad To The Bone'' debuted at No. 127,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1982-08-28/ |website=Billboard}}</ref><ref name="BB-Aug-28">{{cite magazine |title=Billboard Aug. 28, 1982 |date=August 28, 1982 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-08-28.pdf |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=75 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> and peaked at No. 43 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart.<ref name=":16">{{cite web |title=George Thorogood Awards |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-thorogood-mn0000647834/awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203033725/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-thorogood-mn0000647834/awards |archive-date=December 3, 2012 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref name=":17" /> The album sold around 275,000 copies in its first two months,<ref name=":22" /> and eventually sold more than 500,000 copies.<ref name=":1" /> The album was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) on August 7, 1985.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Bad+to+the+Bone#search_section |website=RIAA}}</ref>
Two tracks from the album were released as singles.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> "[[Nobody but Me (Isley Brothers song)|Nobody but Me]]" was the lead single from the album.<ref name=":23" /> It was released in July 1982.<ref name=":6" /> The single peaked at number six on the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100]] extension chart,<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=US Hot 100 Bubbling Under |url=https://top40weekly.com/bubbling-under/}}</ref><ref name="BB-Sept-018" /> and at No. 32 on the [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock chart]].<ref name=":18">{{cite magazine |title=George Thorogood & the Destroyers Chart History |url=http://www.billboard.com/music/george-thorogood-the-destroyers/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509085832/https://www.billboard.com/music/george-thorogood-the-destroyers/chart-history/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=15 October 2017}}</ref>
"[[Bad to the Bone]]" was released September 17, 1982. The song peaked at No. 27 on the Mainstream Rock chart,<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":18" /> but was not popular upon release, its music video received recurrent appearances on [[MTV]]. The song's use in films, television, and commercials has since made it more popular.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Bad To The Bone by George Thorogood |url=https://guitaralliance.net/bad-bone-george-thorogood/ |website=Guitar Alliance}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Rotter |first=Joshua |title=George Thorogood revisits his career-making album 25 years later |url=https://www.recordnet.com/story/entertainment/events/2007/10/04/george-thorogood-revisits-his-career/52778567007/ |website=Recordnet}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Uitti |first=Jacob |title=The Meaning Behind the Rousing Classic Rock Song "Bad to the Bone" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-the-rousing-classic-rock-song-bad-to-the-bone/ |website=American Songwriter}}</ref>
=== 2007 re-issue ===
On August 14, 2007, a special edition of the album was released to mark the 25th anniversary of its original release.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Greco, Jr |first=Ralph |title=George Thorogood & The Destroyers {{!}} Bad To The Bone (25th Anniversary Edition) |url=https://vintagerock.com/george-thorogood-the-destroyers-bad-to-the-bone-25th-anniversary-edition/ |website=Vintage Rock}}</ref>
The re-issue featured the "Nobody but Me" [[Instrumental]] [[A-side and B-side|B-side]], "That Philly Thing",<ref name=":4" /> as well as six new re-recordings of some of the songs from the album.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Sendra |first=Tim |title=Bad to the Bone [25th Anniversary Edition] Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/bad-to-the-bone-25th-anniversary-edition--mr0001141302 |website=AllMusic}}</ref> The re-recordings were recorded at the [[Ardent Studios]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]].<ref name=":11" />
== Touring and promotion ==
To support the album, The Destroyers embarked on a worldwide [[concert tour]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 4, 1982 |title=Rock'n'Rolling |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-09-04.pdf |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=61 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> First playing shows in [[Canada]] in August, and the [[United States]] from mid-September<ref name=":19">{{Cite magazine |last=Hard |first=Bill |date=August 13, 1982 |title=FMQB Album Report |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/FMQB-Album/1982/FMQB-Album-1982-08-13.pdf |magazine=[[FMQB]] |page=19 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> to December 1982.<ref name="Certs82" /> In 1983 they played tour dates around the world, first playing 15 sold-out shows in [[Australia]],<ref name=":20">{{Cite magazine |date=March 5, 1983 |title=Thorogood Down Under |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-03-05.pdf |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]] |page=19 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> before going to [[New Zealand]]. They also played shows in [[Nightclub|nightclubs]] in [[Japan]] from February 26 to March 3.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 26, 1983 |title=Male Artists Are Focus Of Toshiba-EMI Pushes |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-02-26.pdf |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=45 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> After the tour dates in Japan, the band went to [[Europe]] to play a series of shows.<ref name=":20" />
A show at the Bradford Hotel in [[Boston]] (now the Royale Nightclub) on November 23, 1982, was recorded and released as ''[[Live in Boston 1982: The Complete Concert]]'' on December 4, 2020, by [[Craft Recordings]].<ref name=":110">{{Cite web |last=Ruggiero |first=Bob |date=December 28, 2020 |title=George Thorogood Gets "Bad to the Bone" with Full Beantown Party |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/things-to-do-listen-to-boston-1982-the-complete-concert-from-george-thorogood-and-the-destroyers-11520022 |website=[[Houston Press]]}}</ref>
== Critical reception ==
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r20121|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review]</ref>
| rev3 = ''The Music Box''
| rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>[http://www.musicbox-online.com/reviews-2007/georgethorogood-badtothebone-08162007.html Music Box review]</ref>
| rev2 = [[Robert Christgau]]
| rev2score = B−<ref>[http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=George+Thorogood+and+the+Destroyers Robert Christgau review]</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref name="Penguin">{{cite book |last1=Russell |first1=Tony |last2=Smith |first2=Chris |title=[[The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings]] |year=2006 |edition=|publisher=[[Penguin Books|Penguin]] |isbn=978-0-140-51384-4|page=652}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Record Collector]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref>[https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/bad-to-the-bone-25th-anniversary-edition Record Collector's review]</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues]]''
| rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="VE">{{cite book |title=''The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues'' |date=1998 |publisher=Virgin |page=346}}</ref>
}}''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."<ref name=":19" /> [[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]]."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |title=Bad to the Bone [EMI America, 1982] |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=George+Thorogood+and+the+Destroyers}}</ref>
[[AllMusic]]'s Tim Sendra says the album is "Thorogood's finest work and established him as one of the unsung heroes of the age of [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]]".<ref name=":15" /> The Music Box's John Metzger wrote "While Bad to the Bone still isn't an essential album, it nonetheless is as enjoyable as ever."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Metzger |first=John |title=George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Bad to the Bone: 25th Anniversary Edition |url=https://www.musicbox-online.com/reviews-2007/georgethorogood-badtothebone-08162007.html}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinfold |first=William |title=Bad To The Bone: 25th Anniversary Edition {{!}} George Thorogood & The Destroyers |url=https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/bad-to-the-bone-25th-anniversary-edition |website=[[Record Collector]]}}</ref>
== Track listing ==
=== Original Release ===
{{Track listing
| headline      = Side one
| title1        = Back to Wentzville
| length1       = 3:33
| writer1       = [[George Thorogood]]
| title2        = Blue Highway
| length2       = 4:44
| writer2       = [[Nick Gravenites]], David Getz
| title3        = [[Nobody but Me (The Isley Brothers song)|Nobody but Me]]
| length3       = 3:28
| writer3       = [[The Isley Brothers]]
| title4        = It's a Sin
| length4       = 3:32
| writer4       = [[Jimmy Reed]]
| title5        = [[Boogie Chillen'|New Boogie Chillun]]
| length5       = 5:04
| writer5       = [[John Lee Hooker]]
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = Side two
| total_length  = 41:38
| title1        = [[Bad to the Bone]]
| length1       = 4:52
| writer1       = George Thorogood^
| title2        = Miss Luann
| length2       = 4:13
| writer2       = George Thorogood
| title3        = [[As the Years Go Passing By]]
| length3       = 5:03
| writer3       = [[Deadric Malone]]
| title4        = [[No Particular Place to Go]]
| length4       = 4:00
| writer4       = [[Chuck Berry]]
| title5        = [[Wanted Man (Johnny Cash song)|Wanted Man]]
| length5       = 3:12
| writer5       = [[Bob Dylan]]
}}
^ 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.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehr |first=Bob |date=10 November 2005 |title=Out of the Wilderness |url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/out-of-the-wilderness/}}</ref>
=== 25th anniversary edition ===
{{Track listing
| total_length  = 75:33
| title1        = That Philly Thing
| length1       = 2:25
| writer1       = George Thorogood
| title2        = Blue Highway
| length2       = 4:08
| writer2       = Nick Gravenites, David Getz
| title3        = New Boogie Chillun
| length3       = 7:10
| writer3       = John Lee Hooker
| title4        = No Particular Place to Go
| length4       = 4:26
| writer4       = Chuck Berry
| title5        = As the Years Go Passing By
| length5       = 4:44
| writer5       = Deadric Malone
| title6        = Bad to the Bone
| length6       = 7:05
| writer6       = George Thorogood
| title7        = Wanted Man
| length7       = 3:57
| writer7       = Bob Dylan
}}
== Personnel ==
'''Musicians'''
* [[George Thorogood]] – vocals, guitar
* Billy Blough – bass guitar
* Jeff Simon – drums and percussion
* Hank Carter – saxophone, vocal
; Additional musicians
* [[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]] – piano, keyboards
'''Technical'''
* The Delaware Destroyers – producers
* John Nagy – assistant producer and engineer
* Ken Irwin – assistant producer
* Paul Mufson – engineer
* Bill Burks - design
==Charts==
=== Weekly charts ===
{| class="wikitable "
|-
! scope="col" | Chart (1982–1983)
!Peak position
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="aus">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=309}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 50
|-
|New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref name="NZ">{{cite web |title=New Zealand charts portal |url=https://charts.nz/weekchart.asp?year=1982&date=19820912&cat=a |accessdate= |website=charts.nz}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 31
|-
|Canada ([[RPM (magazine)|RPM]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Item: 4513 - Library and Archives Canada |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=4513& |website=Library and Archives Canada}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 11
|-
|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1982-10-16/ |website=Billboard}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 43
|}
=== Year-end charts ===
{| class="wikitable "
|-
! scope="col" | Chart (1982)
! scope="col" |Position
|-
|Canada (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 25, 1982 |title=Top RPM Albums: Issue 6170 |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6170&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6170.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6170 |magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 78
|-
| US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 25, 1982 |title=Billboard Year-End Charts |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-12-25.pdf |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=155 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 182
|}
== Certifications ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Certifications for Bad To The Bone
!Region
!Certification
![[Music recording certification|Certified units]]/sales
|-
|Canada ([[Music Canada]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian album certifications – George Thorogood – Bad To The Bone |url=https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=George%20Thorogood%20Bad%20To%20The%20Bone |website=Music Canada}}</ref>
|Gold
|40,000<sup>^</sup>
|-
|United States ([[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]])<ref name=":8" />
|Gold
|500,000<sup>^</sup>
|}
<sup>^</sup> Shipments figures based on certification alone.
== Release history ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Date
!Version
!Ref
|-
|August 9, 1982
|Original vinyl
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |February 27, 1989
|Original CD
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bad to the Bone {{!}} George Thorogood / George Thorogood & the Destroyers {{!}} (CD - EMI Music Distribution #E2-46083) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/bad-to-the-bone-mr0000850766 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
|-
|Original cassette
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bad to the Bone {{!}} George Thorogood / George Thorogood & the Destroyers {{!}} (Cassette - EMI Music Distribution #E4-46083) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/bad-to-the-bone-mr0000263701 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
|-
|August 14, 2007
|25th Anniversary edition CD
|<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":11" />
|-
|March 30, 2018
|Vinyl re-issue
|<ref name=":21" />
|}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{George Thorogood Albums}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bad to the Bone (George Thorogood and the Destroyers album)}}
[[Category:George Thorogood and the Destroyers albums]]
[[Category:1982 albums]]
[[Category:EMI America Records albums]]