Born to Be Bad (album)

Born to Be Bad is the seventh studio album by American blues rock band George Thorogood and the Destroyers. It was released on January 13, 1988, by the label EMI America Records. The album peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200, and was on the charts for 24 weeks. The album was the band's most successful internationally.

In 1982, the Destroyers signed a recording contract with EMI America,^[1] and released 3 gold albums, Bad to the Bone, Maverick, and Live.^[2] In 1987, the Destroyers embarked on a three-week club tour, after which they began recording of Born to Be Bad.^[3]

Steve Chrismar joined the band on rhythm guitar sometime before recording of the album began.^[4]

Recording of the album took place in August 1987, at the Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.^[5] Terry Manning, who produced the band's previous album,^[6] returned to produce and engineer Born to Be Bad.^[5][7] The Destroyers also helped with producing the album.^[8]

EMI America released Born to Be Bad on January 13, 1988.^[9][10][11] The album debuted at No. 84,^[12] and peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200,^[13][14] and spent 24 weeks on the chart.^[15] The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on April 8, 1988.^[10]

Three singles were released from the album. "You Talk Too Much", written by Thorogood, was the lead single from the album.^[11] The song debuted at number 17,^[16] and peaked at number 4 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.^[17] "Born to Be Bad", also written by Thorogood, debuted at number 34,^[18] and peaked at number 3 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.^[19] "Treat Her Right", a cover of the Roy Head song, was the third single. It debuted at number 43,^[20] and peaked at number 39 on the same chart.^[14] Music videos were made for "You Talk Too Much" and "Treat Her Right."^[21][22]

Born to Be Bad received generally mixed reviews from critics.

A Cash Box reviewer called the album a "polished package of their inimitable rock and roll", and that the album is "chock-full of AOR gems".^[8] Steve Newton of The Georgia Straight wrote "When it comes to party-time, rockin' blues, few people deliver with the same kind of no-frills, honest urgency as George Thorogood. Well, the bad-ass guitar ace from Wilmington, Delaware, has come through with another sturdy collection of originals and classic blues covers that should keep his constantly growing legion of fans more than satisfied."^[27] Billboard magazine wrote that "there isn't much that's new or original in the music", but that "Thorogood's hearty performance style and cadre of loyal fans, should win him a slot high on the charts."^[28] The Gavin Report's Ron Fell says "The album at hand is mostly a collection of high-spirited covers of rockin' blues from Memphis and beyond. And they're not just covers. They lend integrity to the oldies by toughening them up, not by making them contemporary."^[29] RPM writes "A potent combination of originals and covers, the album's an uncompromising example of a man sticking to his roots, complimenting the masters emotion with is own firebrand enthusiasm."^[30]

George Thorogood considers Born to Be Bad and Ride 'Til I Die the best albums he ever made.^[31]

The following personnel are credited on the album:^[32]

• George Thorogood – vocals, guitar
• Billy Blough – bass guitar
• Jeff Simon – drums
• Hank Carter – saxophone, backing vocals
• Steve Chrismar – guitar

• Delaware Destroyers – producer
• Terry Manning – producer, engineer, mixing
• Ken Irwin – production assistant
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Henry Marquez – art direction
• Moshe Brakha – photography
• John Tobler – liner notes

^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.