Bad 'n' Ruin

Rod Stewart · Other Songs - Rod Stewart

(rod stewart, ian mclagan)

Mother don't you recognize your son, ooh hoo

Coming home, yeah yeah

Getting home, 'cause I failed you mother, hmm-mmm

I'll be there in the mornin'

If you have me back

The rent up here is much too high

For a room without a tap

A room without a tap, hoo

I'll be early in the morning

And I'll find my way back home

Back home bad 'n' ruin

With my tail between my legs

Tail between my legs

And I'll be so tired

I'll be so tired, now listen

I'll be early tomorrow morning

And I'll fall down off my plane

Don't be embarrassed mother

By your ugly worn-out son, hmm

Your ugly worn-out son.

So just let me warn you



Mother, you won't recognize me now

Mother, you won't recognize me now

Mother, you won't recognize me now, hoo

And I'll be down on cannon[? ] street

Passport in my hand

Should you could not recognize me

I've heavily made-up eyes

Momma, you won't recognize me now

Brother, you won't recognize me now

Hello there

Sister, you won't recognize me now

Mother, you won't recognize me now

Ooh, hoo

So mother when you've seen me

Don't forget I'm your boy too

I know my brother has done you proud

He's one foot in the grave

Mother don't you recognize me now ?

I'm a burglar in the first degree

But it don't seem to worry me

I'll be so tired, so tired

I'll be so tired, so tired

So tired

Bad 'n' Ruin

Rod Stewart's "Bad 'n' Ruin" stands as a quintessential example of his late 1970s rock and roll revival, blending raw energy with his signature storytelling prowess. Released during a period where Stewart solidified his status as a leading figure in the British rock scene, the track captures the gritty, unpolished aesthetic that defined his work in the Atlantic Crossing era. The song reflects Stewart's ability to fuse classic rock structures with a modern, slightly cynical edge, characteristic of his approach to adult contemporary rock. It serves as a testament to his enduring influence on the genre, showcasing a vocal delivery that balances power with a distinct, raspy texture. As part of his extensive discography, the recording exemplifies the transition from his earlier folk-rock roots to a more mature, blues-inflected rock sound that would continue to define his career for decades.