Bad Company, Shooting Star- A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

While this sounds like a fairly simple and fun song for young people to enjoy, it carries within it a more serious message. I appreciate the fact that Bad Company presented this cautionary tale in such a manner as to be appealing for those who might not otherwise be inclined to think in that direction.
Here’s the link to the original song by Bad Company:
• Bad Company - Shooting...
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by Bad Company
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[@VirginRock]

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button! And if you have any questions, please write them here as a reply. BUT, please, questions ONLY! Thank you!

[@michaelfried3123]

Did you enjoy listening to this song?

[@stevepulford216]

Paul Rodgers is so underrated. The guy has one of the most iconic voices in music, right up there with Johnny Cash, Chris Cornell, Freddie Mercury etc. Smooth, dark and sexy.

[@addickkelders2265]

Underrated? He had with different bands several world wide smash hits, is recognized as a great singer and was asked to join Queen. What more do you want?

[@dallassukerkin6878]

@@addickkelders2265 I think it is more that folk do not know his name unless they are old school rockers.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Way better than those garbage crapboys

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

​@dallassukerkin6878 nope just fanboys glorifying crapola

[@steveh7108]

It is the anomaly of rock and roll. It does not have to be complicated to be a masterpiece.

[@craenor]

Memorable is the most important thing, and the truth is, simple can be just as if not more memorable than complex. But when someone nails complex and memorable, it's truly something special.

[@dunkonu23]

This is from the Album "Straight Shooter". It is one of my favorite albums of all time. You nailed the analysis of the lyrics. Paul Rogers, the lead singer of Bad Company is widely recognized as one of "The Voices" of rock. Amazing analysis! One of the true classics of the genre!

[@WiserInTime]

Paul Rogers may not have the same notoriety as other classic rock singers but he was regarded by many as one of the greats. I think he is too.

[@WindmillChef]

Amy, what I hear in this song as what Bad Company is attempting is to, musically, create a very laid back listening feel. Sure, there is some grit and dirt in the distorted guitar but there's also a gently strumming guitar. The music revs up at a certain point but is still quite constrained. We can hear Paul Rogers just holding back vocally, there are soothing vocal harmonies in the chorus that slide in gently, they don't come in with attack. Compare this with another hit, the song "Bad Company" (by Bad Company), it is much more dynamic, energetic, full of hooks. The lyrics are what they are. What I've taught my children so they can process and deal with art, is that art, not only rock music, is often very provocative and dark. It's what the artists, who often don't have the most stable lives, do to gain attention. Create shock, this is why we have so many old paintings with gratuitous nudity. Provocative stances is a role that art takes on. Have us turn our attention to things that we otherwise wouldn't if not an artist created some shock value to get attention. Bad Company was a great band for as long as it lasted. You were in the right direction about this song. The Bass and drums are tight working together. They create the structure of the music, the discipline, holding the song together. The vocals and solo/distorted guitar color-in the song, going by the lines that the rhythm section draws, sometimes coloring outside the lines perhaps or coloring things a bit different creating some motives and they have taken the time to work details out, having it all make sense, like the whining guitar mimicking a whaling wind. You are so right that these artists should have some ankers in their lives, but it is not easy. When most of your friends and people in your circles are artistically inclined and are thus less structured, less rigid, less organized in their family lives, many in your circles regularly use drugs, maybe just casually and maybe fairly soft, like weed, they are less likely to hold appointments and/or commitments, live with drama cause by irregularities in their lives, their finances are not solid and dependable, it makes having friends who you can count on more difficult. Then when you find some moderate success, like an album that is gaining some sales, you have to write and create new material, find time to record and rehearse in studios, do a grueling time tour of performances to support your album, do 75 interviews per week because you have contractually committed to it, deal with staffs and entourages, create and perform acts regularly, costumes, set-ups, equipment, more surrounding people and so forth. Your life can start spinning out of control and you loose the sense of your feet being solidly planted. This is an often occurring picture of the lives of, not only big super stars, but even small, almost amateur level artists who are trying to live their craft, their art. Thanks for another great video.

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

It's a much better song than I ever gave it credit for. I grew up with it and never "listened" to it.

[@mickfoster7140]

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[@rexbeau]

This is why we come here, for the true classic rock songs and artists that we grew up with. Thank you.

[@ed.z.]

Five seconds at a time.

[@stratcat3216]

this is like a country song to a rock beat and rock vocals. BTW Paul's vocals are amazing.

[@ZEPnALE]

"The Entertainer" by Billy Joel, is a song that brilliantly uses the theme of fickle fame which you identify in the chorus of "Shooting Star."

[@matty1953565962]

Once again, Amy allows us to hear the music of our youth with fresh ears.

[@allanmacbadger5692]

If you are pleased with Bad Company then you definitely need to check out FREE with a much younger Paul Rogers and Simon Kirk, Andy Fraser and Paul Kossof who was an amazing blues guitarist, in fact all four musicians were so good for their ages - 16, 17, and 19 when they became famous, I loved this band when I was in my teens, and their album Heartbreaker is still a favourite.

[@markwilliams6394]

And The Firm.

[@davidstephens6462]

It’s just amazing to watch classically trained musicians get into rock. I was raised on Southern Gospel, country and 50’s rock. Started playing trombone in orchestra in 6th grade. Exposed to classical and jazz. Started playing guitar and bass in high school. Through that, I gained respect for ALL music. Though I’ve only worked professionally as a country and rock musician, I still have respect for all of it. Just as you’ve been classically trained, I’ve been trained to affect a bunch of drunks looking to escape their BS lives. We all have our audience.

[@b0bthebuilder198]

Perception is key❤

[@DavidJones-sy4mn]

What she misses is the power and emotion conveyed by Paul Roger's voice and the simplistic but emotionally devastating guitar solos of Mick Ralphs reaching a fever pitched crescendo of emotion and sonic bliss. Sometimes musicians can accomplish in a simple structure what some of the most musically talented players may never achieve.

[@EddieReischl]

Paul Rodgers is one of my favorite singers. We did "Feel Like Makin' Love" and Free's "All Right Now" in our band, the singing has good feeling and isn't a crazy high tenor, so if you just take a heartfelt crack at it, it comes out sounding good. "Fire and Water" from Free with Paul singing is a beautiful blues/rock record. Paul Kossoff on guitar was a big influence on a lot of 70s guitar players coming up.

[@carcarjinks1430]

one of the lessons in this song is that humans were not created to receive glory from other humans. it really messes with our psyche. it can make you proud and reckless, so that you make even bigger mistakes because you can't accept good advice. or it can make one depressed and withdrawn, struggling to live up to his own hype. imo, elvis actually went through both of these phases.

[@32a34a]

The guitarist Mick Ralphs is a criminally under rated guitarist. He is also a really good songwriter as well.

[@OldIrishFan1966]

A seemingly simple song, right there, smack between your eyes is the message. Fame is fleeting. Foundationless, hollow, empty and lonely are fame without an authentic connection to our true selves.

[@netuno60]

I enjoy again your great appreciation video. As a Portuguese (Brazilian) speaker, I don't pay much attention to the lyrics, unless some rare and special cases. I prefer to pay attention to the melodies, to instrumentals, harmony movement, the vocals, the rhythm, etc. I never heard this song, but I know Bad Company and I never really liked them. Hearing this song, I've noted the basic rock style, and the beautiful vocal harmonies, but a not-so-good (IMHO) melodies and music form structure. Thank you.

[@bargell]

The “yeah yeah” part of the lyrics allude to the Beatles. They were known for their “yeah yeah yeah” of “She Loves You.”

[@hullbarrett]

95k subscribers and counting! I knew your channel would blow up. I don't know if I subscribed in in August 2022, but I definitely subscribed after the first video that I saw on this channel. You have a unique perspective and I love it! The rest of the world will love it, too, eventually ... even if slowly. P.S. We're still waiting for your evaluation of Randy Rhoads ... [Diary of a Madman and Revelation (Mother Earth)] ... Come on, Vlad, you know we want it!

[@barbaramatthews4735]

This is one of my favorite songs. I feel like I'm listening to it for the first time again. I love your deep analysis. I have a hard time dissecting songs on my own. I guess because I dont have a trained ears. This i great. I want more. I just found this channel. I feel like i can actually learn something. This is unexpected and pleasant. I like reaction videos. This is a little different than the rest. It's actually more analytical. I like that. The end to me sounds like hes mourning the loss of Johnny.

[@fractaljack210]

The sound of Bad Company is the sound I was after with my early bands, not that we had a vocalist on the sublime level of Paul Rogers. Bad Company, and Free, are amazing. Great reaction.

[@gbsailing9436]

In fact: Bad Company formed from the Roger's old band "FREE". FREE lost their lead guitarist, Paul Kossoff in an alcoholic event which lead to the band winding up. It is this event that, I believe, lead to the writing of this song. Amy, many of FREE's songs are worthy of an analysis or two in their own right. I'm thinking of "I'm a creeping", "Songs of yesterday", "Wishing well", "Be my Friend", and "Ride a pony", and my favourite, "Love You So" - a wonderfull rabbit hole to dive down. The reason I suggest this dive into the rabbit hole is because FREE's bassist was the incomparable Andy Fraser, who was one of the few to use the whole fret board on a bass guitar! So imaginative. I like the points you made around 19:00 regarding how rock stars are regarded. However, both your experience AND ours is quite contrary. We DO remember and continue to glorify our musical heroes. Your own musical journey in these videos is immortalising those greats: Freddie Mercury, Elvis, and others - in this case Kossoff.

[@BigSky1]

Free had already broken up in early ‘73 three years before Koss died on 19 March 1976. The song may or may not be about Koss’s situation. Paul Rodger’s has never stated. The song is deliberately ambiguous.

[@gbsailing9436]

@@BigSky1 OK I didn't know that. Thx

[@xvoodoo9999]

Shooting Star was released the year before Kossoff died, so his death can’t have been the inspiration for this song.

[@gbsailing9436]

@@xvoodoo9999 Yes, see my reply above. Clearly my 'belief' was incorrect.

[@redpine8665]

I like Bad Co. They were essentially 'rock by numbers' though. They had a formula and were happy to stay in there 99% of the time. Meat and poatoes rock n roll.

[@vytallicaq.6881]

Nice commentary. This one, "Can't Get Enough", and "Feel Like Makin' Love" were my favorites from them. Not overly elaborate, but they blend the simple elements they use in effective ways. I like the distinctive moods their songs generate.

[@LeeKennison]

Bad Company is band I really like and used to listen to a fair amount in my 70s high school years. I had a girlfriend then who was obsessed with them. They had some really good songs several of which became fairly well known, including this one. I loved how you dug into the story and lyrics. In addition to his prior band Free, their lead singer Paul Rodgers also sang with Queen in the 2000s. They were billed as Queen + Paul Rodgers, and not only did Queen songs, but some Bad Company and Free songs too. Thanks for answering my Sound of Music question, I loved your answer.

[@ed.z.]

One of the best rock vocalists. Paul Rodgers of Free, and Bad Company.

[@diane7262]

And The Firm!

[@ed.z.]

@@diane7262 thanks.

[@vytallicaq.6881]

Another thing that blew me away about "The Sound of Music", was that the director was so great with Sci-Fi as well. He directed "The Day the Earth Stood Still", and "The Andromeda Strain". All great movies!

[@PhilH919]

Paul Rogers was one of the great rock singers. With the band "Free" and then "Bad company". He even toured with "Queen" after the sad death of Freddie Mercury.

[@Greg042869]

Freddie once said Paul was his favorite singer, in the early days.

[@SneakySolidSnake]

11:05 this is now in my permanent memory... i don't know why it amuses me so much.

[@OldIrishFan1966]

Such an innocent, sweet and natural interpretation.

[@mightyV444]

I love how Amy's imitating the "chick, chick, chick, chick" hi-hats sounds 😁

[@epearc]

Staying with this songs theme, a good listen is "Hey, Hey, My, My" by Neil Young and Crazy Horse. That being said, I love this song. I had to special order Straight Shooter at my local, small town record store back in the mid 80's. One of my first albums bought with my own money.

[@OldIrishFan1966]

The ending of this is what I call the "Hey Jude" ending. Many songs end this way. Wordless, but like "Hey Jude" the "na-na-na-nananana" ending just seemed to fit.

[@fembotheather3785]

This and the song "Lucky Man" are two where as soon as you hear the first verse, you know that the main character is toast before the song is over.

[@mikes9305]

Lucky Man is far more distinctive! ☺

[@fembotheather3785]

@@mikes9305 My point is simply that from the opening lines of each, the ultimate fates of the protagonists is never in question. I had no intention to wade into the "which is better" debate since it's entirely subjective.

[@stpnwlf9]

This theme recurs in a lot of rock and roll music. The Eagles' album 'Desperado' is actually something of a concept album comparing the life of an outlaw to the life of a rock star on the road. The comparison is most explicit in the song 'Certain Kind of Fool'.

[@davidtate5263]

Look into Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon, my favorite "shooting star". And not just "No Rain". Listen to everything from Blind Melon. "Tones of Home", "Mouthful of Cavities", "Change", "Walk", and so many others... everything they did was amazing. Its truly sad that most people will nlu know one song of theirs. And Shannon's story is a sad story, as many other musicians who died of overdose. But still among my favorite bands of all time if not my number one.

[@FM4ever]

I have fond memories of Queen + Paul Rodgers performing this live.

[@ryanr5319]

Agreed! I am so happy that saw Queen with Paul.

[@jeremiahrose4681]

Love Bad Company, Paul rogers. So good.

[@bargell]

The idea of being loved aa long as you are a shooting star -and the abusive demands of the audience which only loves at the concert than then leaves and forgets… Is found in Nirvana’s “Teen Spirit” when, I believe, the lyrics give the band’s observation of their audience’s demand when they sing the chorus about the lights going out and “Here we are now; entertain us.”

[@helenespaulding7562]

Another connection for you: Paul Rodgers, the fine vocalist, paired up with Jimmy Page in 1984 to form the band The Firm, which issued two albums and toured them. This might have ultimately saved Jimmy’s life, as he had spiraled into a deep dark hole after the death of John Bonham (talk about a shooting star) and the resultant death of Led Zeppelin, the “love” of Jimmy’s life.

[@hustledude]

Enjoyed your analysis of this great song

[@helenespaulding7562]

Yes, the rock lifestyle of the late 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, into the 90’s…we lost many to addiction, depression, the loneliness and demands of the road: uppers to perform, downers and booze to be able to come 31:18 down off the high and sleep. Separation from family, lack of privacy. Fatigue. Many didn’t survive. Some, it’s a minor miracle that they did ( Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Elton John, as examples). The ones who handled it best, I think, were the ones that carved out intensely private lives when they were off the road (Robert Plant, David Gilmore) or had a passion other than music that they could use during touring to keep their lives in balance ( Neil Peart as a prime example) or a combination thereof.

[@melliehobson8299]

Yes, the melancholy. It's the same with actors, too. And all artists--until the great are deceased. Then Van Gogh's "Irises" sells for 72 million.

[@henrikmulders8633]

This song seems to be in line with a Moritat to me. A „Moritat“ in the German tradition is a cautionary tale ending in death. In the olden days, it was a popular entertainment accompanied by a street organ and a poster depicting stages of the plot. This kind of entertainment derived its legitimacy from the moralizing content, but the main appeal was probably the gore of a gruesome death. „Mack the knife“ (Kurt Weil/Bertold Brecht) from the three penny opera is a play on this tradition. The original title is „Das Moritat des Macky Messer“

[@jonathansmith3742]

Don't cry Momma, just smile and wave goodbye.

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

It's a great allegory for young people starting to live life..

[@1byte4]

Rock music was born through a necessity to express an emotion that was not previously possible through other types of music.

[@donstor1]

Congrats on your one year and i am very glad you have gotten so much out of this, and that you have had a lot of fun doing it also. Like classical music, you have just scratched the surface of a much larger world and I hope the addition of rock music to your growing list of music will make you a better musician and teacher. Don’t forget to have fun while you do it.

[@Canucklehead557]

I was fortunate enough to see Paul Rogers front for Queen in 2005. Then, in 2007 I got to see him with Bad Company. During this particular song, I was singing the 3rd above his lead vocal. When he figured out who was backing him up from just in front of the stage. He pointed at me and said; "You're really good!" Unfortunately, he didn't come out for a meet and greet. Still made me feel good though.

[@edkrause7848]

"Jukebox Hero" by Foreigner is another song about an inspiring rock star.

[@melliehobson8299]

I so enjoy your analyses of popular music from the point of a classical musician.

[@Schlapphoo]

It is always delightful to follow Amy's view on a piece of music. Even when I'm not into the song like with this one here. I would love so much to see her reaction on one of my lifetime-bands: The Waterboys. Kind of folk-rock with Mike Scott's fantastic voice. Songs like A Pagan Place, Rags, This Is The Sea, Old England, Saints And Angels, Fisherman' Blues... Maybe there will come the time for this uplifting music. 🙂

[@michaelyork4554]

"Burning Sky" and "Electricland" are Superb. What many rock songs lack in complexity, they make up for in Dynamics, and Detailed Mixing. Can't wait until You get to Steely Dan The Royal Scam.

[@mikeandrulonis6553]

I can't wait for Amy to listen to Steely Dan.

[@topherj.kutsumann5420]

I watch a lot of reaction videos and yours,by far, are the pure and….innocent. Thanks for your energy, time and insight. You have a new fan.

[@b0bthebuilder198]

He's walking you throu the woods, telling a story. The cadence makes you slow down and pay attention.

[@41Forethought]

I'd previously heard Shooting Star only on the car radio or on cassette. Neither had great sound quality and, while the lyrics were interesting, I couldn't say the same for the music itself; it always sounded a bit "by the numbers" to me. Your analysis gave me a better appreciation of the song and especially the lyrics. But, because it was the first time I listened to Shooting Star via headphones, it also revealed how poorly engineered and mixed this song is. OTOH, it made me look back on a couple of songs that also describe a rock guitarist's rise. I've thought of Walk of Life by Dire Straights as a preamble of sorts to Shooting Star, even though it was written over 10 years later. Mark Knopfler's lyrics give us more of Johnny's back story but it's the spectacular, subtle nterplay of keyboards, lead guitar and bass elevates this tune to classic pop rock status. It's also one of the best engineered rock songs (and albums) ever, imo. The sound quality difference between Walk of Life and Shooting Star is immediately obvious. One doesn't usually think of Brandi Carlile as a rock musician, especially in 2015 when Mainstream Kid was released . Not only does this hard driving song of selling out for success effectively skewers the popular music industry, but it also clearly expressed Carlile's disdain for mainstream success as she forged her singular, 20 year path to success. (BTW, Brandi Carlile won the Grammy for best rock song last year, something I (and she, I imagine) never expected when I started following her career in 2006.) Thank you, Amy, for your expert analysis and for inspiring me to look back on two other great tunes! 💕

[@sharonsnail2954]

I read your first paragraph where you commented how poorly engineered and mixed this song is. It did sound muffled on Amy's video so I played it separately from my collection. The sound there was much fresher and more vibrant. It's this video which makes it sound so poor. I've noticed this problem before on Amy's reactions. There is an immediate difference between "Walk of Life" and "Shooting Star". The former was digitally recorded, the latter analogue. After that it's down to personal taste.

[@michaelgamboa4986]

im green of envy of those who had the chance to go to the Queen and Paul tour some years back, they made an amazing job they recorded an album wich is very good, i like it

[@dallassukerkin6878]

Ooh one of my favourites of this niche of rock. It saddens me as it reminds me of the passing of one of my close friends but it is still a wonderful, thoughtful, piece.

[@mwhitehead1461]

A sad song for me. I lost a family member and it has a special meaning.

[@jollyjakelovell4787]

Ma'am you voiced a pleasant and thought provoking introspection on the ups and downs of celebrity and its sometimes raptorial fandom.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

A well arranged song with good vocals. A bit of a minimal approach. Life on the road is not easy. It can be isolating and disorienting. People deal with it the best that they can. Hotels planes buses road food and lots of waiting around. You live for the show and the pressure is great and so is the tedium. A normal life is just not possible. Drugs are a convenient helper but can become a cruel master in such a lonely and demanding life. Dear Mr. Fantasy by Traffic tells this tale as do many songs. I used to think musicians with drug addiction was a character flaw but I evolved to see it as an industrial disease. I love the Sound of Music. Have you heard John Coltranes cover of my favorite things. He recorded it right after seeing the movie from memory.

[@Mibbitmaker]

One song like that, best heard from the oft played live version, is Turn the Page by Bob Seger. It's very descriptive, and the tone of his singing voice really sells it.

[@donaldhenderson1870]

You are the music professor we all should have had and the one I had was actually pretty good. Thanks you.

[@RichardVernadeau]

Would love to see you do a show on what is known as the 50s Progression. The '50s progression (also known as the "Heart and Soul" chords, the "Stand by Me" changes, the doo-wop progression and the "ice cream changes" is a chord progression and turnaround used in Western popular music. The progression, represented in Roman numeral analysis, is: I-vi-IV-V. For example, in C major: C-Am-F-G. As the name implies, it was common in the 1950s and early 1960s and is particularly associated with doo-wop. The first popular song to use the progression was Blue Moon, written in 1934. This inspired Heart and Soul in 1938 and Blueberry Hill in 1940. In Western classical music during the common practice period, chord progressions are used to structure a musical composition. The destination of a chord progression is known as a cadence, or two chords that signify the end or prolongation of a musical phrase. The most conclusive and resolving cadences return to the tonic or I chord; following the circle of fifths, the most suitable chord to precede the I chord is a V chord. This particular cadence, V-I, is known as an authentic cadence. However, since a I-V-I progression is repetitive and skips most of the circle of fifths, it is common practice to precede the dominant chord with a suitable predominant chord, such as a IV chord or a ii chord (in major), in order to maintain interest. In this case, the 50s progression uses a IV chord, resulting in the ubiquitous I-IV-V-I progression. The vi chord before the IV chord in this progression (creating I-vi-IV-V-I) is used as a means to prolong the tonic chord, as the vi or submediant chord is commonly used as a substitute for the tonic chord, and to ease the voice leading of the bass line: in a I-vi-IV-V-I progression (without any chordal inversions) the bass voice descends in major or minor thirds from the I chord to the vi chord to the IV chord. Variations As with any other chord progression, there are many possible variations, for example turning the dominant or V into a V7, or repeated I-vi progression followed by a single IV-V progression. A very common variation is having ii substitute for the subdominant, IV, creating the progression I-vi-ii-V (a variant of the circle progression) and thus the ii-V-I turnaround. Variations include switching the vi and the IV chord to create I-IV-vi-V, as is used in "More Than a Feeling" by Boston[5] and "She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals. This is also similar to the I-V-vi-IV progression. The harmonic rhythm, or the pace at which the chords occur, may be varied including two beats (half-measure) per chord, four (full measure or bar), eight (two measures), and eight beats per chord except for IV and V(7) which get four each.  "Sleep Walk" by Santo & Johnny uses a similar progression, with the IV replaced by its parallel minor iv for an overall progression of I-vi-iv-V.

[@lorcazola]

I am baffled by your shirt/blouse.............it never changes.........

[@billmaier9314]

Hendrix’s song “My Friend” illustrates the loneliness of fame where one is loved by all but who’s only friend is his shadow. Morrison also explored this topic in “Hyacinth house” where he laments that someone is following him again, he can’t escape his fame. Adored by the masses but utterly alone.

[@greglusty2112]

Paul Rodgers was good friends with Paul Kossoff who died . Both were in the band Free.

[@helenespaulding7562]

Yes, Peter Grant “managed” Bad Company for a time. zeppelin had a private record label under the umbrella of Atlantic Records called Swan Song. It was considered very prestigious for highly successful bands to have their own label. It lent quite the cache. The Beatles started that with Apple Records. Bad Company was the first, and really the only major artist to be signed by Swan Song. The problem was, they liked having their own label, but none of the band members had any interest in finding or fostering talent. When they were off tour, they led their separate, very private lives. Peter Grant by then was heavily into drugs and spent almost zero time overseeing the label, and the manager who was brought in was left swinging in the wind, with no authority to make decisions, no guidance, and Finding it next to impossible to talk to or see Peter Grant, who, along with the Zeppelin members, retained all decision making power So the label withered on the vine. Bad Company got out of that contract as soon as they could.

[@andrewcarr5923]

Lead singer Paul Rogers was already an established Rock legend having previously been the lead singer in the blues Rock band Free with guitarist Paul Kossoff who himself would die at the age of twenty five one year after the release of this song. Also it may interest you to know since your doing a series on the music of Queen that Paul Rogers toured and recorded an album with them between 2004 and 2009.

[@davidschecter5247]

They did pretty simplistic blues-rock, but they had a great singer, and many of their melodies were singable, hence memorable. And there weren't many other bands at the time going the more basic back-to-the roots approach.

[@barriehull7076]

Swan Song Records was a record label launched by the English rock band Led Zeppelin on 10 May 1974. It was overseen by Led Zeppelin's manager Peter Grant to promote its own products as well as sign artists who found it difficult to win contracts with other major labels. Artists that released material on the Swan Song label included Led Zeppelin itself, solo releases by Led Zeppelin band members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and Bad Company.

[@richardcoulson6005]

For a whole album listen, when you have the time, Argus-Wishbone Ash, a very underrated album

[@thevoiceofamerica2389]

This woman is a national treasure. Great video and analysis as usual. Her and Vlad are a match made in Heaven. God bless Amy, God bless Vlad, God bless little Liesel, God bless Virgin Rock Channel. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

[@1massboy]

As with the ending of this song. I have always thought that it was more of a need to continue expressing oneself but you don’t have the words to do it. As you said it’s Lament And they were expressing their continued Lament through the end of the song even though they finished telling the story. But that’s just my interpretation. As for the rest of the video. Bravo!

[@PaulDiggin-i2l]

Her lack of appreciation of Paul Rodgers voice is shocking

[@TheMister123]

I hope you do Genesis's "Duchess" soon. It's a very similar arc (without the drug overdose).

[@PaulDiggin-i2l]

Her lack of appreciation of Paul Rodgers voice is stunning. One of the greatest rock singers of all time.

[@barbaramatthews4735]

I don't agree. She is new to the band, and she did a great analysis of the song. Yes, he was a great singer. Yes Bad Co. is a bad ass rock band. She is talking about the story the song portrays.

[@stevewilson7961]

Thanks for another great video. One day we will truly miss you, when you're no longer making these beautiful Videos.

[@gbsailing9436]

If you feel you're getting used to rock music structure and where and when guitar solos will be and how they are normally performed, then AMY, you really need to listen to something a little different. Something like Deep Purple's "LAZY". It will bring you some humour and enjoyment and a little bit of a break of the 'routine' reaction.

[@frontfocus1]

When Amy dwells upon some song with a simple harmony from the band I dislike (e.g. Rammstein), I feel like she is trying to pull something out of nothing, just to please the audience. When she talks about simple song from the band I love, I regard it as a profound analysis, that deeply explores other sides of the song, not just musical quality. It seems to be a kind of personal attitude bias )

[@mikes9305]

By the time rock emerged, Western music literally allowed people to do anything they dared with melodies and harmonies, which could have a very unsettling and mystifying effect on audiences. Thus, a new musical style emerged in which minimalism allowed a focus upon just a few specific musical ideas rather than long chains of ultra-complex ideas. Rock often has minimalistic aspects and relieves composers and audiences from the grand complexities of early-mid 20th Century classical music, after composers like Webern were apparently contemplating "How much music is needed?" and "Is bigger necessarily better?" This is why rock is kind of like a new period in music with a much different aesthetic (and instrumentation) than the modern classical era of the 20th Century. Parallel, perhaps, since modern art music obviously hadn't stopped, but in my opinion the accomplishments of the minimalists like Steve Reich and Philip Glass just aren't that rich when we compare them with the achievements of rock artists, who were far more popular as well. It's sort of like music textbooks wanted to take credit for something from the new rock innovations and selected a couple of composers who used some of the simplifications but never actually made any rock music? 🤔

[@notthistimenet]

Didn't care for it when it came out. But, it is hardcore rock history.

[@helenespaulding7562]

This was always just an average rock song to me back then, even to this day. But your review gives it much more depth. Thank you, Amy, for that.

[@loserpunks766]

A classic rock staple that is mellow and tells a nice little tale of trying to make it and what they might find. Long way to the top- AC/DC-Bon Scott. Jukebox Hero- Foreigner. Rock-n-Roll Band(?) Boston. Big Shot (mellow kinda rock) Jona Lewie. On the Road Again (country) Willie Nelson. Top of the Pops- The Kinks. Countless more. All are something to dive into here though.

[@mikes9305]

Did that electric guitar arrive in a different key? (13:47 and 16:47) Compositionally, these are the kinds of questions many of us need help to figure out. To me, it sounds like modulation was part of what made its entry so effective! (And this kind of compositional information seems to be a real strength and focus of Doug Helvering's reactions...for those who don't mind his substance use too much! 🙄) Thanks ☺

[@-R.Gray-]

This song was probably picked for you due to its lyrical content not being as one directional as their big hits like "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love" and "Feel Like Making Love". Those songs were probably hits because of Rodgers' use of his more distorted vocal textures used in former hits as his big hit with the group Free , " All Right Now".

[@loserpunks766]

Had a game, not really, though. Something that my friends and I found funny at the time. But it works well with these songs you listed, change love/loves to drug/drugs.

[@markdrum2392]

The funny thing about "Sound Of Music" is that Christopher Plummer, who was the male lead in the film, hated the movie. He couldn't stand being asked about it.

[@stevesilsby5288]

Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero" is a very similar, and in my opinion, better song

[@UrsaMajorPrime]

Was thinking this myself

[@noddynewbold]

Let us not forget ‘The Marshall Plan’ where Blue Oyster Cult add in the learning of the guitar & the lost love of the inspirational girl.

[@splitimage137.]

Bad Company was managed by Peter Grant, who also managed Led Zeppelin and signed to the Atlantic label in the U.S. (as was Led Zep) and I always felt like this band was very much Led Zeppelin-lite. Their best song (imo) is READY FOR LOVE, and yet it's only a middling-effort compared to the top level bands that Amy has been covering lately. Their singer, Paul Rogers (formerly of Free, with their hit ALRIGHT NOW), teemed up with Jimmy Page in a band called The Firm in the early 1980s. Their big hit was RADIOACTIVE, but their song SATISFACTION GUARANTEED is one of my all time favorites, and worthy of most but the best efforts of Led Zeppelin.

[@surferles589]

Paul Rogers and Burton Cummings have the best ROCK voices

[@daveking9393]

Enjoyed your experience. Thanks for sharing!

[@UrsaMajorPrime]

Was very happy to see this tune pop up, nice!

[@betseyclark2832]

I love Paul Rodgers voice! He toured with Queen for a few years, sometime after Freddie's death. They did a wonderful concert in Ukraine in 2008. It showed how powerful his voice could be.

[@marklong2060]

Love Paul Rogers...you should listen to him with Free - "All Right Now"

[@rosselliot8971]

Amy, check out a little band called The Police. I suggest starting with Wrapped Around Your Finger.

[@icmman7]

the trappings of success and EXCESS ;)

[@MrGmonkeywillruleyou]

I love the bass guitar on this

[@walterfletcher8276]

Paul Rodgers is one of the Greatest Voices in Rock n Roll!!!

[@richardcoulson6005]

A classical musician? But? What is classical? Bach was the Rolling Stone of his day? It's an interesting conversation to start

[@hughdalton7622]

Rock and Roll Elegy

[@michaelnettles-kf2bl]

Dream Theater would be my favorite band if I had one. I like the way you dissect music. Dissect them sometime and you'll be busy a while. "Scenes From a Memory" is a good album to start with. Start from the beginning and listen to the whole thing. It's a progressive rock opera. The whole thing is a story.