October 17, 2022

1989 - August: Bad English “Bad English”

43 minutes

Bad English is a supergroup composed of members of Journey and The Babys. From The Babys comes John Waite on lead vocals, Rick Phillips on bass, and Jonathan Cain on keyboards. From Journey comes Neal Schon in lead guitar, and Jonathan Cain, the common thread between the two groups. Deen Castronovo is on drums and would later join Journey. The band was initially formed by Cain, Schon, and Waite. The name Bad English comes from a term in the game of pool. John Waite missed a shot, and Jonathan Cain made a comment on how bad his English was.

The group was attempting to sound original and not too much like either of their previous groups or Waite's solo work. They were also being pulled by the record producers towards a highly produced sound common with the hair metal groups of the time. The group wrote about 40 songs in six months for the debut album, eponymously named Bad English, but Waite stated that “a lot of them weren't very good.” There were enough good songs to create a hit album, however, as this debut went to number 21 on the Billboard 200 charts.

Bad English would produce one other album after this debut, but it wasn't very successful. Shortly thereafter the group disbanded with Waite continuing solo work, and with some other members re-joining Journey.

Bruce brings us this supergroup.

Best of What I Got

This is the opening track to the album, and was the fifth of seven singles released - though this one was only released on US rock charts. It hit number 9 on the Mainstream Rock charts. It was also featured in the credits to the buddy cop film "Tango & Cash."

Lay Down

A deeper track written by Waite, Schon, and Cain, this track was not released as a single. It is a bid more rocking, with lyrics about coming back from a trip and getting together with your girl.

Forget Me Not

The first single from the album was a darker song written by Waite, Cain, and Mark Spiro, a songwriter and record producer who worked with a number of musicians. Spiro collaborated on this and four other tracks from the album. The inspiration for these lyrics are Anne Rice's vampire novels. The lyrics deal with possession, lust, and a longing that goes on throughout eternity.

When I See You Smile

This is the big hit single which went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Diane Warren, an American songwriter and hitmaker for many artists from Celine Dion to Milli Vanilli, wrote this hit. Ironically it would create a rift within the group as they struggled with whether to seek hits on the next album or to create their own material.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter by Iron Maiden

(from the motion picture "A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child”)

Freddy Kruger continues his rampage in this fifth installment of the horror franchise.

STAFF PICKS:

Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Great White

Brian starts off this week's staff picks with the biggest hit from LA hair band White Snake. This song is a cover from a 1975 single from Ian Hunter, and appropriate for the title of their fourth album, "...Twice Shy." The lyrics reflect life on the road and learning from bad relationship experiences. The group lived on the road, touring for years.

Love Song by The Cure

Wayne's staff pick goes goth with a surprisingly positive song from a notoriously dark group. Robert Smith, The Cure's lead singer, wrote this song as a wedding gift for his bride, Mary Theresa Poole. Smith and Poole married in 1988, though they had known each other since they were 14.

Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls

Rob features an Atlanta based indie rock duo. This single is off their platinum selling self-titled second album. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are joined on this album by multiple Georgia artists, including members of R.E.M. Amy and Emily met in elementary school, began performing together as high school students, and took the title of Indigo Girls in college.

Something to Hold on To by Trevor Rabin

Bruce brings us a single from Yes alumnus Trevor Rabin's fourth solo album. This single went to number 3 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and the video got a Grammy nomination for Best Short Form Music Video. Rabin would later re-join seven other Yes alumni for the Union album in 1991.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Chinese Torture by Queen

Queen's thirteenth studio album provides this instrumental which closes out this week's podcast.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings