George Thorogood on the Story Behind 'Bad to the Bone'

The Birth of a Classic

George Thorogood, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, recalls the creation of his iconic song 'Bad to the Bone'. Before the song's release, Thorogood's band played obscure blues songs, but they wanted to create an original hit.

The Inspiration Behind 'Bad to the Bone'

Thorogood explains that the song is a male fantasy, where every guy wants to be 'bad'. He drew inspiration from Hollywood movies, tough guys like Bernardo from West Side Story, and Howlin' Wolf, whom his band opened for in 1974.

The Songwriting Process

Thorogood followed Johnny Cash's advice for songwriters: writing down rhyming words and working around them. He started with 'bone' and incorporated 'bad', which meant 'cool' in his neighborhood.

The Song's Early Days

• The band shopped the song to Muddy Waters, but his manager rejected it, saying Muddy wouldn't record a blues song by a white guy.
• Thorogood and his band rehearsed the song to make recording efficient and minimize costs.

The Rise to Fame

'Bad to the Bone' took off when classic rock radio stations began playing it, placing it alongside songs by Led Zeppelin, Steve Miller, and The Rolling Stones. Young listeners considered it a classic.

Terminator 2 and Arnold Schwarzenegger

The song gained further popularity when it appeared in Terminator 2. Arnold Schwarzenegger called Thorogood, saying in his Terminator voice: 'Your song. Give it to me. Now.'

The Legacy of 'Bad to the Bone'

Thorogood reflects on the song's impact, stating it's an over-masculine chuckle and not to be taken seriously. The song brings out the 'lion in the mouse', and its popularity endures to this day.

Jeff Simon's Perspective

Jeff Simon, the band's drummer, shares his experience of recording 'Bad to the Bone'. He recalls George working on the song and the band's blues influences.