The Greatest Guitar Songs by Bad Company

 Whether you're working on your strumming technique or looking to master rock standards like “Shooting Star” or “Feel Like Making Love,” these lessons will walk you through it step by step.

Alright Now is a legendary blues-rock anthem originally released by the band Free in 1970, but it became a staple of the Bad Company repertoire due to lead singer Paul Rodgers’ shared history with both groups.

Written by Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser, the song reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in over twenty countries. While it never appeared on a Bad Company studio album, it is a centerpiece of their live recordings, most notably on the 2002 multi-platinum DVD and album In Concert: Merchants of Cool.

The track is recognized for its iconic guitar riff and Rodgers’ commanding vocal delivery. Performance clips from their stadium tours highlight the massive crowd participation the song always generates, cementing its status as one of the most enduring anthems in rock history.

Bad Company is the atmospheric and haunting title track of the band’s 1974 debut album, Bad Company. Co-written by Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, the song was inspired by a book on Victorian morals, lending a dark, cinematic quality to the lyrics.

While it was not released as a commercial single, the track became an immediate FM radio staple and a cornerstone of their live identity. The recording is famous for its distinctive piano opening and the evocative use of a "howling wind" sound effect at the beginning, which helped establish the band's "outlaw" persona.

Interestingly, the band chose to name themselves, the album, and the song all with the same title, a rare trifecta in rock history. Performance footage from their 1970s tours remains the primary visual connection for this legendary anthem.

Can't Get Enough is the definitive hard rock anthem that introduced the world to Bad Company, serving as the lead single from their 1974 self-titled debut album, Bad Company.

Written by guitarist Mick Ralphs, the song was originally intended for his previous band, Mott the Hoople, but was shelved because it didn't fit their style; Ralphs later brought it to Paul Rodgers, and history was made. Released in May 1974, the track became a massive global hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on the Cash Box Top 100.

The song is famous for its "shuffling" guitar riff and Rodgers' powerhouse vocal delivery. Interestingly, a promotional performance clip serves as the primary visual for the track, capturing the band’s raw stage energy during their meteoric rise.

Feel Like Makin Love is a quintessential classic rock ballad that appeared as the second single from the 1975 album Straight Shooter. This track was a collaborative effort between Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs, featuring a dynamic arrangement that moves from a gentle acoustic verse to a heavy, electric chorus.

Released in August 1975, the song reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top twenty hit in the UK. A unique production detail involves the song's origins, as Rodgers began writing the lyrics at the young age of nineteen while touring with his former band, Free.

Though it was released years before the MTV era, the band filmed a performance-based promotional video that has since become a staple of classic rock retrospectives, showcasing their sophisticated approach to the blues-rock genre.

Oh Atlanta is a high-energy, soulful track that first appeared on the band’s 1979 album Desolation Angels. Written by guitarist Mick Ralphs, the song was never released as a commercial single, but it became a significant favorite on FM rock radio and a highlight of their live sets.

The track features a driving, piano-led arrangement that showcases the band's appreciation for American R&B and soul influences. Interestingly, the song was covered by Little Feat just a few years later, which helped introduce the composition to a different segment of the rock audience.

While no narrative music video exists, the song is frequently associated with the band's high-energy live performances in the American South. The recording captures the polished yet powerful sound the band achieved at the end of the 1970s before their first hiatus.

Ready For Love is a soulful and heavy blues-rock track from the 1974 debut album, Bad Company.

Like their first hit, this song was written by Mick Ralphs during his time with Mott the Hoople and was originally recorded for their 1972 album All the Young Dudes. Bad Company’s version significantly slowed down the tempo and added a more resonant, hard-rock edge that suited Paul Rodgers' baritone perfectly.

While it was never released as a commercial single, the track became a staple of rock radio and a fan favorite for its slow-burn arrangement and Ralphs' melodic guitar solo. Performance footage from the band’s 1970s stadium tours serves as the primary visual for the track. Interestingly, Ralphs also provided the piano work on the recording, showcasing the multi-instrumental talent that helped define the band's "supergroup" status.

Rock Steady is a driving, rhythmic rock track featured on the 1974 debut album, Bad Company. Written by Paul Rodgers, the song was never released as a commercial single, but its steady, locomotive beat made it a favorite for rock radio programmers and a fixture in their live repertoire.

The recording is notable for its raw, live-in-the-studio feel, captured during the band's sessions at Headley Grange using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. The lyrics celebrate the simple power of rock and roll, delivered with Rodgers' signature soulful grit. While no official music video was produced during the 1970s, the song has seen a resurgence in popularity through various live performance clips that showcase the rhythm section’s tight chemistry.

It stands as a prime example of the band's ability to create a high-octane anthem with a straightforward, no-nonsense arrangement.

Shooting Star is a poignant and cautionary rock narrative featured on the 1975 album Straight Shooter. Written solely by Paul Rodgers, the lyrics tell the tragic story of a fictional rock star named Johnny who dies of an overdose, a theme Rodgers stated was influenced by the real-life deaths of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

Despite being one of their most beloved and frequently played songs on classic rock radio, it was never released as an official single. The track is recognized for its gradual build from a simple acoustic melody to a soaring, guitar-heavy climax.

While no high-budget music video was produced during the 1970s, the song’s legacy has been preserved through various live performance clips that highlight Rodgers' emotive storytelling and the band’s tight musical chemistry.

Blue Silver And Gold is a lush and melodic ballad from the 1976 album Run with the Pack.

Written by Paul Rodgers, the song is a rare example of a track that became a massive radio hit despite never being released as a commercial single. The recording is recognized for its clean acoustic arrangement and the evocative, romantic imagery of its lyrics, which stood in contrast to the band’s grittier hard-rock output. Interestingly,

Rodgers has often cited this as one of his favorite songs he has ever written. While no formal music video was made in 1976, the track has become a staple of adult-oriented rock radio and is frequently accompanied in digital spaces by performance footage from their mid-70s world tours. The song captures a more sensitive side of the band's sound, proving their versatility within the rock genre.