January 18th 1974, Former members from Free, (Paul Rodgers & Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople(Mick Ralphs), and King Crimson, (Boz Burrell), formed Bad Company. The band went on to score a US No.1 album with their debut release.

The song was released as the third single from their debut album Bad Company in 1974, although it did not chart (in America). 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. The song uses the same chords and piano figure as Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock" from 1970.

Lyrics

Company

Always on the run

Destiny is the rising sun

Oh I was born six gun in my hand

Behind a gun I'll make my final stand

That's why they call me

Bad company

And I can't deny

Bad company

Till the day I die

Till the day I die

Till the day I die

Rebel souls

Deserters we are called

Chose a gun and threw away the sword

Now these towns

They all know our name six gun sound is our claim to fame

I can hear them say

Bad company

And I won't deny

Bad, bad company

Till the day I die

Till the day I die

Bad company

I can't deny

Bad company

Till the day I die

And I say it's

Bad company oh yeah, yeah

Bad company

Till the day I die oh yeah

Tell me that you are not a thief

Oh but I am

Bad company

It's the way I play

Dirty for dirty

Oh somebody double-crossed me

Double-cross, double-cross

Yeah

We're bad company

Kill in cold blood

Songwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Bernard Rodgers / Simon Kirke

Bad Company lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc