Rough Diamonds Songs Ranked
Rough Diamonds is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Bad Company. The album was released in August 1982. Rough Diamonds, like its predecessor, Desolation Angels, was recorded at Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey, England in March and April 1981 and engineered by Max Norman (famed for his work with Ozzy Osbourne). The album’s opening track, “Electricland”, written by Rodgers, was the album’s biggest hit. Rodgers’ “Painted Face” also received substantial airplay on rock stations. The album became the original line-up’s worst-selling album, reaching a disappointing No. 26 on the Billboard album charts in 1982. The album was remastered and re-released in 1994. Here are all of Rough Diamonds songs ranked.
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10. Kickdown
“One of my favorite songs is MICK’S KICKDOWN with his guitar riffs, PAUL’S singing, the piano, and the organ. Plus, this song reminds me of the live version of DAVID GILMOUR’S THERE’S NO WAY OUT OF HERE from his 1984 vhs live video tape that MICK RALPHS plays guitar on (I wrote a review about this video too).”
9. Racetrack
“Racetrack” is very upbeat tempo. Meaningful lyrics throughout. Why doesn’t anyone write great music like this anymore? Paul Rodgers’ vocals throughout are perfect, as usual, more melodic and lower, less high-range screaming (there is a little of that too, though)
8. Painted Face
“To me, Painted Face is the best of the album, maybe one of the best BadCo songs of all, and I wish they’d play it live one day. Bad Company had set a new standard for Rock and Roll since the Love Child Era.”
See more: Bad Company Albums Ranked
7. Downhill Ryder
” ‘Downhill Ryder’ has a strange synth part that sounds like it came straight from Toejam and Earl or the first Sonic the Hedgehog soundtrack (Spring Yard Zone perhaps?) and offers little else worth mentioning”
6. Nuthin’ on the TV
“This is definitely the most free form and experimental album that Bad company did, regardless of who was doing vocals. I guess maybe that’s why folks don’t like it. It’s more soulful and jazzy than the five previous albums.”
5. Old Mexico
“Paul’s vocals are as great as they are anywhere, and many of the songs are melodic and singable. While I love the whole album as an album, there are certain songs that stand out.”
See more: Bad Company Songs Ranked
4. Untie the Knot
“Untie the Knot is the only song on the album that was co-written by two bands members, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. I wish that those 2 guys would write more stuff together.”
3. Cross Country Boy
“Cross Country Boy is going everywhere, he even gave a notice to the Space Academy. There’s a unity to the whole thing that doesn’t exist in other BadCo albums, or most other albums at all. I think this is why I find it easy to listen to the entire thing as one complete piece.”
2. Ballad of the Band
“It’s too bad the album hasn’t gotten much love. If you’re a Paul fan and you dismissed it, I suggest giving it another listen. You’ll find he does all the neat Paul things with his voice on this album that you’ve grown to love…”
1. Electricland
“Listening to this brings back such good memories. This CD has a bluesy, rock feel. The music is classic rock with soul. It reminds me of when life was simpler. It is loaded with great songs, starting with “Electricland”. I don’t know why this was not as huge of a hit as some earlier songs, like on their first album (so many)because it is truly great.”
