Simple Man

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Simple Man" by Bad Company for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track, from their 1976 album Run with the Pack, carries a raw, soulful vibe that’s perfect for the station’s free-spirited audience. In a 2016 interview with Classic Rock Magazine, lead singer Paul Rodgers shared that the song’s lyrics were inspired by a late-night jam session where he was reflecting on life’s highs and lows. He called it a “plea for authenticity,” written in a haze of whiskey and cigarette smoke, aiming to capture the struggle of staying true in a chaotic world. The band’s guitarist, Mick Ralphs, once mentioned on a now-deleted X post from 2018 that the riff came to him while tinkering in the studio, trying to channel a bit of Southern rock grit despite their British roots.

Another tidbit comes from a 2020 fan Q&A hosted on Bad Company’s official Facebook page, where drummer Simon Kirke revealed they almost cut "Simple Man" from the album because it felt “too soft” compared to their harder tracks. Fans pushed back, though, after early live performances, with one Zoo Freak-like devotee reportedly sending a letter to the band saying the song “saved my soul.” On Instagram, the band shared a throwback photo in 2021 of Rodgers scribbling lyrics for the song on a napkin, captioned, “Sometimes the simplest things hit the hardest.” It’s a fan favorite for its unpolished honesty, often cited in posts on the Bad Company Fans Facebook group as a go-to for late-night drives or moments of reflection.

Bad Company got their start in 1973, born from the ashes of several rock outfits. Paul Rodgers, fresh off his time with Free, teamed up with Mick Ralphs, who’d just left Mott the Hoople. Simon Kirke, another Free alum, came on as drummer, and bassist Boz Burrell, formerly of King Crimson, rounded out the lineup. According to a bio on their official website, the name “Bad Company” came from a Jeff Bridges movie Rodgers saw, sparking the idea of a band with a no-nonsense, outlaw edge. They hit the ground running, signing with Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song label and dropping their self-titled debut in 1974, which spawned hits like “Can’t Get Enough.” Their gritty blend of blues, rock, and swagger clicked instantly, fueled by Rodgers’ powerhouse vocals and Ralphs’ razor-sharp riffs.

The band’s early days weren’t all smooth sailing. In a 2019 Rolling Stone interview, Kirke admitted they clashed over creative control, with Rodgers’ perfectionism sometimes grinding against Ralphs’ looser style. Still, their chemistry was undeniable, and by the time “Simple Man” rolled around, they’d honed a sound that was both polished and raw. Fans on the Bad Company Wiki fan site often geek out over how the band’s diverse backgrounds—Free’s soulful groove, Mott’s glam grit, and Crimson’s prog leanings—melded into something uniquely their own. You can keep up with the band on their X account, where they post tour updates and vintage pics, or dive into fan discussions at sites like Ultimate Classic Rock, which hosts a treasure trove of articles and forums for diehards.