Really! Another greatest hits album. Why? Well, the labels want money as this is a cash grab, but it does have some good points. The album was released on May 28, 2002 on Hip-O Records and contains 18 classic songs from the band. Scorpions – ‘Bad for Good: The Very Best of Scorpions’ does offer something a little different than some of their other compilation albums. First, you get 3 tracks that are single edits and not straight album tracks. Second, you get two brand new Scorpions songs!! That right there is the reason to buy this one.

Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems with this release and for that problem is glaring. Again, we get a greatest hits compilation that completely ignores any album prior to 1979’s ‘Lovedrive’. Why do they keep leaving off all those good songs? Is it that the band, or the label, don’t own the rights to those songs? Whatever is the reason, it is an absolute shame that the public doesn’t get to hear those great songs from the 70’s up against these smash hits. Being a single disc release, I see that there is no room and I do get the label wants the biggest hits…but biggest doesn’t mean the best.

The album is in chronological order…wait…not quite. They start it off with “Rock You Like A Hurricane” because that is like their biggest, most notable hit. After that, the rest are in chronological order. Not sure the point of that and seems quite silly in my book. I am not sure how much input Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker or Mathias Jabs had, but at least they might have had a say in the two new songs, but that might be it. There is a nice multiple page write up in the liner notes about the band by Gerri Miller from Metal Edge magazine and she talks about 3 decades of the band, but the compilation doesn’t give us songs that cover the whole period…but I’ve said that already. Enough bitching, let’s get to the songs.

Every band needs a signature song and Scorpions did that on their 9th album with the song “Rock You Like a Hurricane”. It only went to #25 on the Top 40 chart, but it has lived on and given the band one of the quintessential 80’s rock songs ever made. There is no one that doesn’t know this song the second that opening riff kicks in. It is a rock anthem like very few achieve. For ever how many songs the album sold, most were sold because of this track. With heavy riffs, killer solos and one of the most catchiest choruses ever, this song took the band to a level they probably never thought they would see.

‘The album ‘Lovedrive’ opens with “Loving You Sunday Morning” and though not as explosive as some of their other opening tracks, it still rocks out. It has an incredibly catchy chorus like all great Scorpion song. It is melodic with some great melodies and even a killer solo by Michael Schenker with Klaus singing behind it at the beginning with some great screams. I love the chugging beat and the rhythm section was fantastic.

The most interesting song on ‘Animal Magnetism is “The Zoo” and it is a pure classic. It has rip-roaring riffs along with pulse pounding percussion and then that groove chugs along like a run away locomotive. Klaus delivers one of his finest vocal performances with some great inflections in his delivery. It is a pure masterpiece of a track and is like nothing else on the album. It sweeps you up in the emotion and when that chorus hits, it bores in to your ears like a sweet ear candy and you can’t help but get it stuck in your head. And it has some Frampton Talk Box on the guitar and man, I’m all in at this point.

One of the best songs ever by the band, “No One Like You” off their album ‘Blackout’. The band’s first #1 in the U.S. on the Mainstream Rock Tracks. The song is legendary. A power ballad like no other. With strong guitar playing by both Jabs and Schenker again (how many times can you say that…never enough). A most impressive opening riff and a solo that plays so well for the song. Klaus’ vocals are so clean, smooth and even tender at times. The verses keep it soft and the chorus explodes with passion. What more could you want. As close to perfection as any band could get.

The dual guitar riffing of Jabs and Schenker is what drives “Blackout”. An almost speed metal attack with some wild riffing which offers a wondrous backdrop for Klaus and his killer screams especially at the end with the shattering glass. It is the album cover come to life. The song might be the best opening track of any of their albums to date. It is sees the band hitting its stride.

Then we get to the ballad of all ballads for me. “Still Loving You” is one of my favorite Scorpions ballads and one of my favorite all time as well. About a couple in love that knows it’s over, but try to make it work one more time. The song opens with some gentle, soft riffing and Klaus singing in almost a whisper. Then the power part of the ballad kicks in and the guitar licks are blissfully beautiful and the chorus is gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking and lovely at the same time. I think this might one of Klaus Meine’s best vocal performances on any album.

“Big City Nights” which was the third single on the album ‘Love at First Sting’ leans more to the 80’s pop rock, very radio friendly and although a rocker, a little calmer. Yet, it is very effective with its cool riff, contagious chorus and of course, that great Klaus vocal. What is there not to like.

“Believe in Love” is both gentle and also a little romantic…ahh that’s sweet! Klaus can deliver an emotive vocal performance and he does that here in spades. Everyone is playing for the song as everything is perfectly placed with each note strummed and each drum hit, it all works together as an overall piece.

The first single off the album ‘Savage Amusement’ was “Rhythm of Love” which was the most successful song on the album going to #6 on the Mainstream Rock Chart, but only to #75 on the Hot 100 which isn’t that great. It is a power ballad and rather quick on the album to throw that in if you were asking my opinion. It is hooky and catchy as hell which are two ingredients you need for a good ballad. The guitar riffs are great and the solo rips through perfectly. The only problem with it is it sounds like every other ballad out there which I believe was the point. One call fact about the song is the backing vocals include the great Lee Aaron.

The next track is a cover of The Who’s “I Can’t Explain” which was only available on the Make A Difference charity compilation ‘Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell’. As far as covers go, this one is pretty great. Scorpions made it their own and really rocked it out. Is it better than the original, no, you can’t beat The Who…but I do like this one a lot.

Then what follows was the first ballad off ‘Crazy World’ and it is the band’s mega-hit “Wind of Change”. The song was written by Klaus Meine and was inspired by the band’s trip to the Moscow Peace Festival in 1989. The song is about the change that was brewing in the Soviet Union and in Berlin. When the Wall fell and the Soviet Union was no more, the song was a unifying song for everyone. The whistling in the song was by Klaus, Mathias was playing the rhythm guitar and Schenker handled the solo. A slow ballad that seem to strike a chord with everyone as it went to #1 in 9 countries and #4 in the U.S. It was certified Silver, Gold or Platinum in 9 countries as well. To say this was a worldwide phenomenon would be understatement. And the YouTube video is closing in on almost 1 Billion views…impressive.

“Send Me An Angel” sees Klaus give his best vocal performance as he conveys both a melancholy vibe yet there is still a shimmering light of hope. The keyboards add to the sadness and they are handled by Jim Vallance who actually co-wrote 7 of the tracks on here as well. You know Jim from his work with Bryan Adams. There is a desperation to the lyrics as he feels so lost but the hope that an angel will come and make everything better. A really beautiful track and one I never tire of hearing. They outdid themselves with this one in my book.

“Don’t Believe Her” is up next and it is proof that the Scorpions were now an American rock band as the sound is like every other band rocking out in the U.S. at the time. I really like the opening guitar work and then it goes very Ratt-like with the tone. The only thing missing was Pearcy’s rough vocals. Instead we get much better with Klaus. The song isn’t something to write home about, but it is still a fun, upbeat song although chorus is pretty weak.

The album, ‘Crazy World’, opens with, “Tease Me Please Me”, which is a sleazy little track that seems part Motley Crue, part everything else at the time and that is okay. The song is a rocker that doesn’t take a lot of thought, but it still kicks ass. A fun opening track with a cool riff, some nasty guitar work, Klaus’ gritty vocals and overall catchy as hell. It is straight up down and dirty rock & roll. Yes, please…sign me up.

“Hit Between the Eyes” keeps the party going with some almost speed metal riffs and what I believe is a killer dual guitar solo between Mathias and Rudolf…love it! Klaus is brutal as he attacks the verses with a feistiness we haven’t seen yet on this album. A total rocking good time.

The album, ‘Face the Heat, kicks off with what might be the heaviest song on that album with “Alien Nation”. The song sees the band go more political as it is about the unification of Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It has a rip roaring riff to open the song and then Herman comes in slamming the drums. A complete and total beast of a track. Klaus sounds amazing and the album kicks off with a brutal start. It might be the best song on that album.

Then we get the first of two new tracks written for this compilation. First up is “Cause I Love You” which was written by Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine and surprisingly it is a rocker. I thought we would get ballads, but thank goodness not the case. There is a dark, heavy groove, some talk box guitar work and honestly, sounds a like a band that still has a little gas left in the tank in a time when we were worried they didn’t. A solid track.

The second new one is “Bad for Good” and was written by the same two guys, plus a familiar face. Former producer Dieter Dierks. This one is another rocker as well. It is a little corny, a little cheesy, but still not bad. An uptempo rocker, but not overly heavy filled with a catchy chorus, a driving beat and honestly, it is a fun track and I’d keep it.

Alright, Alright…I know it isn’t the most diverse collection of the band as it misses the 70’s stuff except for the one song from ‘Lovedrive’, but honestly, it isn’t a bad compilation. It is generic with the standard hits and they really didn’t push any boundaries with this one. The songs are good though, no denying. The two new songs I have to say aren’t bad at all, especially “Cause I Love You” which I think is pretty damn great and worth the purchase of this album alone. However, they have a ton of these compilations and this one isn’t my favorite. My Overall Score is a 3.5 out of 5.0 Star and that is because of the two new songs and the three single edits. Otherwise, same ol’, same ol’ compilation.

NEXT UP: ‘UNBREAKABLE’ (2004)

THE SCORPIONS COLLECTION SERIES:

1. Lonesome Crow (1972)
2. Fly to the Rainbow (1974)
3. In Trance (1975)
4. Virgin Killer (1976)
5. Taken by Force (1977)
6. Tokyo Tapes (1978)
7. Lovedrive (1979)
8. Best of Scorpions (1979)
9. Animal Magnetism (1980)
10. Rock Galaxy (1980) – Bonus Edition
11. Blackout (1982)
12. Hot & Heavy (1982)
13. Love at First Sting (1984)
14. Still Loving You Maxi Single (1984)
15. Best of Scorpions Vol. 2 (1984)
16. Gold Ballads (1984)
17. World Wide Live (1985)
18. Savage Amusement (1988)
19. Rhythm of Love – Single (Box Set) (1988)
20. Best of Rockers ‘n’ Ballads (1989)
21. Crazy World (1990)
22. Crazy World – 4 Track From Crazy World Promo Vinyl (1990)
23. Tease Me Please Me Promo CD (1990)
24. Don’t Believe Her Promo CD (1990)
25. Send Me An Angle Promo CD (1991)
26. Face the Heat (1993)
27. Live Bites (1995)
28. Pure Instinct (1996)
29. Big City Nights (Compilation) (1998)
30. Eye II Eye (1999)
31. Moment of Glory (with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) (2000)
32. Acoustica (2001)
33. Bad for Good: The Very Best Of Scorpions (2002)
34. Unbreakable (2004)
35. Humanity: Hour 1 (2007)
36. Sting in the Tail (2010)
37. Comeblack (2011)
38. MTV Unplugged – Live in Athens (2013)
39. Return to Forever (2015)
40. Rock Believer (2022)
41. The Albums Ranked Worst to First