George Thorogood and the Destroyers' iconic song 'Bad to the Bone' has become a rock anthem, but its journey from a simple idea to a classic hit is filled with interesting anecdotes. In a recent interview, Thorogood and drummer Jeff Simon shared the story behind the track.
Writing the Song
Before 'Bad to the Bone', Thorogood's band primarily played obscure blues songs. However, after touring with the Rolling Stones, he realized the need for an original hit with a catchy intro. 'Bad to the Bone' was conceived as a male fantasy, inspired by tough guys from Hollywood and blues legends like Howlin' Wolf. Thorogood followed Johnny Cash's advice for songwriters, starting with a rhyming word—'bone'—and building from there.
The band first offered the song to Muddy Waters, but his manager refused, claiming the blues legend wouldn't record a song by a white artist. Thorogood dismissed this as nonsense, noting that if Eric Clapton or Keith Richards had written it, it would have been recorded immediately.
Recording and Reception
To save studio costs, the band rehearsed the song extensively so they could record it quickly. The stutter in the vocal came naturally to Thorogood, following a tradition of stuttering in rock songs like 'My Generation' and 'Baby You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet'. Despite having no initial expectations, the song took off when classic rock radio stations began playing it alongside Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones.
The song's popularity soared when it was featured in 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day'. Arnold Schwarzenegger personally called Thorogood, using his Terminator voice to demand the song. 'It was perfect for the biker and bar fight scenes because it was rough,' Thorogood said. 'There was a bit of violence, but it was tongue-in-cheek.'
Behind the Music
Drummer Jeff Simon recalled being at Thorogood's house when he first heard the riff. 'We started out with a lot of blues influences,' Simon said. 'Bad to the Bone was right along those lines.' Simon didn't plan his drum part; he just played what felt right. Later, jazz great Joey DeFrancesco told Simon that his intro reminded him of something Elvin Jones would have played—a compliment Simon cherishes.
The band's live shows were rowdy affairs, with plenty of drinking and fighting. 'We played for bikers, for Hell's Angels,' Simon said. 'One time, these Hells Angels came in demanding 'Born to Be Wild'. We said we didn't know it, but they insisted.'
One of the most memorable performances of 'Bad to the Bone' was at Universal Studios in 1996 for the opening of the Terminator ride. Schwarzenegger descended from a helicopter onto the stage, creating a spectacle that Simon still remembers vividly.
Thorogood emphasized that the song is not meant to be taken too seriously. 'None of us in the band are tough guys,' he said. 'Bad to the Bone brings out the lion in the mouse, but it's an over-masculine chuckle.' Even today, people tease him when they see him pushing a baby stroller, but he just laughs it off: 'Even wolves have babies—it doesn't make them any less bad!'
The band's new album, 'The Baddest Show on Earth: Greatest Hits Live', is set for release on 12 June, with UK tour dates on 29 and 30 June.
