“Bad Medicine” is a high-energy rock anthem by American band Bon Jovi, released in September 1988 with “99 in the Shade” on the B-side as the lead single from their fourth studio album, New Jersey. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child, the song is a quintessential example of the band’s signature style, blending infectious hooks, driving guitar riffs, and larger-than-life choruses that dominated the rock scene of the 1980s.
The lyrics of “Bad Medicine” use medical metaphors to describe the addictive and overpowering nature of love and desire. Musically, the track is built on a foundation of hard rock and arena rock elements, featuring a powerful opening guitar riff by Richie Sambora, pounding drums, and Jon Bon Jovi’s charismatic vocal performance. The energetic rhythm and anthemic chorus are designed for live performances, where the song often serves as a crowd-pleaser. Sambora’s guitar solo and the band’s backing harmonies further enhance the track’s stadium-ready appeal.
“Bad Medicine” was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming the band’s third chart-topping single. It also charted highly in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, further solidifying Bon Jovi’s status as one of the biggest rock acts of the 1980s.