Bad Blood – Neil Sedaka | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1); 1975
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
After a years-long post-Beatles hit slump, Neil Sedaka cast an eye toward England where a 1972 reissue of his 1959 hit, Oh! Carol, had reached #19. Neil lit out for London and a new album recorded with 10cc called The Tra-La Days Are Over.
He also developed a close friendship with Maurice Gibb. During one of the Bee Gees London concerts, Neil met the man who’d re-boot his U.S. career: Elton John. Not only was Elton a big fan of Neil’s music – the pre-Beatles hits as well as the newer material that was selling well in England – he wanted to sign Sedaka to his new American label.
For Neil’s first single release on Rocket, they chose a track that had graced the UK chart in early 1974: Laughter In The Rain. On February 1st, 1975 it became Neil’s first #1 since 1962.
Six months later the RKO radio chain added a cut from one of Neil’s UK albums to its playlists: a duet with Elton John called Bad Blood. In a quirk of fate, Bad Blood was ousted from #1 by Elton’s latest single, Island Girl.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Neil Sedaka
Lyrics Written by:
- Neil Sedaka
- Phil Cody
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).