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BAD BLOOD

from HUNGRY NIGHTS

written by Neil Sedaka & Phil Cody

1975 was an important year for David Foster. He was in his mid-twenties and was quickly becoming one of the most important keyboard players on the LA session scene. That year he participated to countless projects including albums for big names like George Harrison, Bobby Womack and Barbra Streisand.

Foster’s playing also started being featured on hit singles like Helen Reddy’s “Ain’t No Way To Treat A Lady,” Gary Wright’s “Dreamweaver” and Harrison’s “You.” He also played clavinet on Neil Sedaka’s #1, “Bad Blood.” That song marked the first time that Foster’s name appeared on a #1 single on Billboard’s Hot 100. “Bad Blood” is a catchy pop tune co-written by Sedaka with Phil Cody that especially benefits from the appeal of Elton John’s familiar harmony vocals. It was #1 for three weeks and certified gold thus becoming the most successful commercial single of Sedaka’s illustrious career. That song and its parent album, “The Hungry Years,” were both released in the US by Elton John’s Rocket Records label. “Bad Blood” also presents a stellar line-up of musicians to support the two singer’s superior performances. The back-up band included Foster with other absolute giants like Nigel Olsson on drums, Lee Sklar on bass, Steve Cropper and Dean Parks on guitars plus the noteworthy work on flute by John Horn. “The Hungry Years” was also a good success reaching #16 on the albums chart. It included another couple of good songs with Foster on keyboards, the opening track, “Crossroads” and “Lonely Night (Angel Face).” Sedaka and Foster worked together years later on a couple of interesting projects for the singer’s daughter, Dara.
In 2010 Sedaka released a new album entitled, “The Music Of My Life.” It was a good reminder of the veteran singer/songwriter’s uncommon ability to write and sing fine pop music. It presented many of his classic plus new material. Among the new songs there was a track entitled “Do You Remember,” a latin tinged song produced by his old friend David Foster.


Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/bad_blood.mp3|titles=Bad Blood|artists=Neil Sedaka]


Lead Vocal & Acoustic Piano: Neil Sedaka
Harmony Vocal: Elton John
Clavinet: David Foster
Guitar: Steve Cropper & Dean Parks
Bass: Leland Sklar
Drums: Nigel Olsson
Shaker & Tambourin: Milt Holland
Flute: Jim Horn

Produced by Neil Sedaka & Robert Appere


 

Lyrics

It coulda been me but it was you
Who went and bit off a little bit more than he could chew
You said that you had it made, but you been had
The woman no good, no how, thinkin’ maybe the blood is bad

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
The woman was born to lie
Makes promises she can’t keep
With the wink on an eye

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
Brother, you’ve been deceived
It’s bound to change you mind
About all you believe

>From where I stand, it looks mighty strange
How you let a woman like that treat you like small change
I don’t understand what you’re lookin’ to find
The only thing bad blood do is mess up a good man’s mind

SPOKEN: Hear me talkin’ now

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
The bitch is in her smile
The lie is on her lips
Such an evil child

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
Is takin’ you for a ride
The only good thing about bad blood
Is lettin’ it slide

Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Bad blood, talkin’ ’bout bad blood

Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Doo-ron, doo-ron, di di, dit, dit, ron-ron
Bad blood
SPOKEN: Here we go

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
The bitch is in her smile
The lie is on her lips
Such an evil child

Bad (ba-a-ad) blood (blo-o-od)
Is takin’ you for a ride
The only thing good about bad blood
Is lettin’ it slide

The only good thing about bad blood
Is lettin’ it slide