Workplace overdoses are a major issue, with overdoses accounting for nearly 10% of all workplace fatalities in the U.S. The National Safety Council is launching several initiatives to fight workplace overdoses. The Song of the Week comes from U2, which released “Bad,” an epic song about heroin addiction in 1984.
Up to that point, the Irish band was on the rise, with three albums that had done progressively better. Their 1983 album War was full of anthemic songs like “New Year’s Day” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday” that were getting plenty of radio airplay.
But instead of making their fourth album more of the same, U2 decided to release more experimental music, working with producer Brian Eno and engineer Daniel Lanois. The songs on 1984’s The Unforgettable Fire were more ambient and atmospheric, but they were embraced by fans nonetheless. The lead single, “Pride (In the Name of Love),” was similar to their previous album, but everything else reflected the band’s new approach.
“Bad” was not released as a single from the album, but it got more attention as U2 played it live. Considered unfinished on the studio album version, the song was stretched out in concert. The band played a 12-minute version (it’s 6 minutes on the album) at the Live Aid benefit show in 1985, with singer Bono pulling a woman out of the audience and dancing with her during part of the song.
The definitive version of “Bad” was released on the 1985 EP Wide Awake in America. It was an 8-minute version performed in England in November 1984. Bono has said the song is about heroin addiction, but in different interviews has mentioned it was about different people. Regardless of the inspiration, the song is stirring and emotional.
“If you twist and turn away/If you tear yourself in two again/If I could, yes I would/If I could, I would/Let it go/Surrender/Dislocate.”
After Live Aid, U.S. radio stations began to play the live version of “Bad” from Wide Awake in America and it really struck a chord with listeners, becoming a fan favorite.