Autograph was an American glam metal band from Los Angeles, California. Bes… Read Full Bio ↴Autograph was an American glam metal band from Los Angeles, California. Best known for their 1984 hit "Turn up the Radio" (with a music video that was a regular staple on MTV) and initially active from 1983 to 1989, the band was reformed during 2002-2005 by their founder Steve Plunkett and released albums in 2003. In late 2013, original members Steve Lynch, Randy Rand, and Keni Richards restarted the band.

Autograph formed in 1983 with vocalist/guitarist Steve Plunkett joining up with guitarist Steve Lynch, bassist Randy Rand, keyboard player Steven Isham, and drummer Keni Richards. The band seemed to have it all: a fine commercial hard rock debut in 1984's 'Sign in Please', good looks, and great hair. Still, it wasn't enough, and by the time they released the following year's disappointing 'That's the Stuff' the 80s rock audience had moved on. Their 1987 single "Loud and Clear" got a bit of attention, thanks to Ozzy Osbourne's cameo in their video, but it all arrived too late to save the band, which split up in 1989. A posthumous collection of outtakes called 'Missing Pieces' was released about a decade later.

Despite scoring a massive MTV hit with their very first single, "Turn Up the Radio", which continues to be a classic rock staple, Autograph's songs got lost in the shuffle of the thriving Los Angeles pop metal scene. Still, interest in their first big hit continues, with the song featured in a variety of places such as the popular 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' video game. In 2003, Steve Plunkett put out a reunion album of sorts: an all-new material album entitled 'Buzz', which retained their 80s sound. They've also released the odds and sods album 'More Missing Pieces'.

Reunion (2013–present)
In late 2013, original members Steve Lynch, Randy Rand, and Keni Richards got back together for a reunion. Due to Plunkett not being interested in doing the reunion, they have replaced him with Jailhouse, Agent X, Flood, 1RKO, solo artist singer/songwriter/guitarist Simon Daniels.

Since 2014, by which time Richards had been replaced by Mark Wieland on drums, the band has played the Monsters of Rock Cruise, M3 Rock Festival, The Moondance Jam, The Halfway Jam, Firefest UK, Rockin the Rivers, The Iowa State Fair along with other festivals, theaters and worldwide touring.

On January 15, 2015, they released their first single, "You Are Us, We Are You," on iTunes. On April 21, they released their 2nd single, "I Lost My Mind in America," which made the Top 10 download of the charts. In July, the band was featured in USA Today NEWS after playing the famous Halfway Jam Rock Festival. On September 23, the band released their 3rd single "Every Generation" and is featured as track of the week on Classic Rock Magazine. On January 7, 2016, the new 5 song EP 'Louder', with 4 original new singles and a live version of "Turn up the Radio", was released and is available on the official website.

On January 10, 2017, the band completed the recordings for the new full album which was released as 'Get Off Your Ass' on OCTOBER 6 after signing with EMP Label Group owned by David Ellefson.
On April 8, 2017, Keni Richards died at the age of 60.

On July 24, 2019, Steve Lynch decided to move on to other projects so the band added a new guitarist on August 27, 2019. Jimi Bell previously played in the House of Lords and Maxx Explosion. Bell appeared in the 1986 film, Light Of Day, where he was both a performer in the movie and played on the soundtrack album. He is an official endorsee of GHS Strings, Marshall Amps (Europe), Ovation Guitars, Roberts Guitars, Viper Guitars, Charvel Guitars and PVX Guitars.

Autograph‘s long-time bassist Randy Rand passed away in April 2022. Rand was in Autograph from 1983 to 1989 and again from 2013 onwards. He was the lone remaining original member in the band. Three of the five original Autograph band members have now passed away with Rand in 2022, keyboardist Steven Isham in 2008 and drummer Keni Richards in 2017.

Bad Boy
Autograph Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Listen to this

I live a life that
Some can't figure out
Finding excitement
Before it gives out
Oh I like my women
And I like my fun

Well I ain't gonna stop
Til I've had one

Cause I'm a bad boy
Nothing but a bad boy
I'm a bad boy
I'll always be a bad boy
Yeahah woooh
Ain't that the truth

I can't get a job
Can't get out of bed
Last night's still
Ringing in my head (woooh)
I like to party
Til I get my fill
Well spent all my time
Trying to get me a pill

Cause I'm a bad boy
Nothing but a bad boy
I'm a bad boy
I'll always be a bad boy
Yeahah
Bad boy
I'm nothing but a bad boy
Yeeaahh

Listen to this

I've made a career
Out of breaking the rules
And I've learned all the lessons
They don't teach you in school
I used to think
That my life was unfair
But I stayed out there
Cause I just don't care

Bad boy
Nothing but a bad boy
Yeah I'm a bad boy
Always be a bad boy
Woooh
I'm a bad boy
I'm nothing but a bad boy
Yeah I'm a bad boy
Always be a bad boy
Aaaahhhh
Bad boy
Bad boy
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Bad boy
Bad boy
Woooh
Bad boy
Alright
Bad boy
Bad boy
Bad boy
Bad boy

Bad boy
Bad boy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Autograph's song "Bad Boy" speak of a rebellious, carefree lifestyle that is devoid of responsibility and remorse. The singer describes himself as a bad boy who enjoys his women and his fun and is always on the lookout for excitement. He confesses that he can't get a job, can't get out of bed, and spends most of his time partying and trying to get his hands on a pill. He makes it clear that he has made a career out of breaking the rules and that he has learned all the lessons that are not taught in school. The refrain, "I'm a bad boy, nothing but a bad boy," repeats throughout the song and serves to emphasize the singer's unapologetic attitude towards his choices and lifestyle.

Line by Line Meaning

I live a life that Some can't figure out
My way of living is not for everyone to understand

Finding excitement Before it gives out
I enjoy living a risky and adventurous life while I can

Oh I like my women And I like my fun Well I ain't gonna stop Til I've had one
I enjoy the company of women and won't stop pursuing them until I get what I want

Cause I'm a bad boy Nothing but a bad boy I'm a bad boy I'll always be a bad boy Yeahah woooh Ain't that the truth
I identify as a troublemaker and will always continue to be one, and that's just the way it is

I can't get a job Can't get out of bed Last night's still Ringing in my head (woooh)
I struggle with motivation and often suffer from the aftereffects of my wild nights

I like to party Til I get my fill Well spent all my time Trying to get me a pill
Partying and substance abuse are my main priorities in life

I've made a career Out of breaking the rules And I've learned all the lessons They don't teach you in school
I have built my reputation and livelihood on going against society's norms and have learned from my experiences

I used to think That my life was unfair But I stayed out there Cause I just don't care
I used to feel like a victim of circumstance, but I choose to continue living a reckless life because I have no regard for consequences

Bad boy Nothing but a bad boy Yeah I'm a bad boy Always be a bad boy Woooh I'm a bad boy I'm nothing but a bad boy Yeah I'm a bad boy Always be a bad boy Aaaahhhh Bad boy Bad boy Yeah yeah yeah yeah Bad boy Bad boy Woooh Bad boy Alright Bad boy Bad boy Bad boy Bad boy Bad boy Bad boy
Reinforcing that I am a bad boy through repetition and emphasizing that I will always live this way

Contributed by Layla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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01Loud and Clear3:40

02Dance All Night3:34

03She Never Looked That Good for Me4:10

04Bad Boy4:30

PT4M30S

Autograph

05Everytime I Dream4:52

06She's a Tease3:38

07Just Got Back From Heaven4:22

08Down 'n Dirty3:16

09More Than a Million Times6:00

10When the Sun Goes Down4:20

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Comments from YouTube:

L M

8y↑31

I love that song too bad Steve Plunkett doesn't perform for Autograph anymore....and it's also sad that music doesn't sound like this anymore

Blake Wiggins’s New Wave Channel

2y↑2

It's also too bad that half of the original lineup died

Innad Daze

1y↑3

It’s also too bad that the current lineup is just a tribute band using the Autograph name.

That Darn Neighbor

37w

@Blake Wiggins’s New Wave Channel Over half. 3/5 are dead

That Darn Neighbor

37w↑1

@Innad Daze Not even a tribute band. They make their own music under the Autograph name. Autograph's 80's albums have literally been removed from Spotify in favor of the new fakers. They need to get their own name because they ARE NOT AUTOGRAPH. Touring as Autograph, makes me sick.

Innad Daze

36w

@That Darn Neighbor amen!!! But, have you heard the news?? Steve Lynch won the case against them!! Woohooo!!! Now they need to come up with their own name. I suggest “Scribble”.

1 More Replies...

THE CLARENCES

7y↑14

Long live the memories of Keni Richards & Steven Isham. Rest In Peace.

DefLeppardVanHalen

2y↑3

R.I.P. Randy Rand as well.

THE CLARENCES

@DefLeppardVanHalen Yeah...very sad. xoxo The Clarences

Markus B.

2y↑3

I did‘t know that already three members have died. Makes me sad! R.I.P Steve, Randy and Keni. So sad!

THE CLARENCES

@Markus B. Very, very, very sad. xoxo The Clarences

Aurelio Santos

2y↑1

Muito boa essa banda...

Hernan

4y↑2

Excellent video. Autograph is amazing!!

Rick Fisher

Still playing cassette's on mp3 ( ROCK'N'ROLL )

Markku Karvinen

7y↑3

very good and good sound for this band!

Jason Benesh

9y↑8

This is as close as "Bad Boy" could come to network TV in the eighties. We lived in a pretty sanitized world.

Markku Karvinen

7y↑1

great song!

HAPKAH

9y↑4

Not a real music video for the song, but thanks for the trubute to this great band.
By the way - THEY HAVE RE-UNITED! Plunk din't want to reunion due to doing some movies or something, Richards wanted but dindn't for some reason, but Lynch and Rand are there! (As for Isham - R.I.P. :( ).
Autograph - Bad Boy - Nottingham, Rock City - Firefest XI - 26 October 2014

Chris Dymmel

9y↑2

Plunkett declined because he felt he'd done his last bit with Autograph after the 2005 album. He gave his blessing to the reunion though. Richards was the one who initiated the current reunion but was kicked out for still undisclosed reasons (and is hugely bitter about it, rightfully so) The band is currently working on a new album and has already released a new single "You Are Us, We Are You" in January. Sounds pretty cool. New singer's voice takes some getting used to, though.

HAPKAH

Chris Dymmel
Hey, thanks for sharing. About Richards - I thought so! Disgusses a bit, but I still love the band. At least they have Lynch, without whom Autograph wouldn't be possible.
Plunk is a genius but if he judges only according to BUZZ album, then he is wrong, as he was only one from the original line-up. If he had Lynch, at least, the results would have been different.
I like listen to his single albums. Album BUZZ was too different from the old music to be called Autograph.
Yup, I like "You Are Us, We Are You" too. This new song was even coveded by some Russian rock-oriented Internet media.
We love Californian rock here, by the way. We never heard it in the 80's, so its not nostalgic, but this music has some kind of a drive, a tempo and sounds very natural (a lot of modern rock is synthetic and you can't even hear to a good guitar solo).
Sad I'll never get to hear them live though.

Chris Dymmel

9y↑1

HAPKAH
I agree Lynch is key but I think Autograph's sound was as reliant on Plunkett's vocals, since he had such a unique voice. The new guy doesn't have the same kind of voice. But Plunk's got his internet music production thing going so that's that. Buzz was ok. "Heart Raper was probably the most classic song on it, though. Plunk's solo album was more of an Autograph album though, he even had Lynch & Isham guest on it. Glad the whole hair metal thing is finally playing there. It was a fun time to be a music fan and I'm glad these bands are making music again!

HAPKAH

Chris Dymmel
I didn't knew Isham and Lynch played that song with him. Well, if there is a precident, maybe Plunk will join them one day, for a song, at least.
His voice is out of the question, the new guy is completely different, but I don't want to critisize much because I'm happy that they're rocking once again, at least with 50% of original line-up. Its still not the original band especially without Plunk, but better than nothing. And 2 new guys deserve credit for a new single.

drew stevens

8y↑1

+HAPKAH Being a personal friend of ( all ) the guys, I have to say that the " new ' lineup of Autograph is great! Simon Daniels and Marc Weiland bring a fresh feeling and heavier " crunch " to the sound. Simon has an infectious smile, voice and attitude that gets the crowd going and Marc brings his own personal " punch " on the drums that boosts the heavier sound. Steve Lynch and Randy Rand ( as always ) release the Krakken every time they play. The new songs have that " instant hit ' sound and these are 4 of the nicest guys you will ever meet. The biggest difference between Autograph and other bands is, the original lineup and the newest lineup, are both excellent and one does not take away from the other in any ways. Most revised lineups are never as good as the original but in this band, that is NOT the case.

3 More Replies...

Peter Moon

great serie great band thanks

Supertron

10y↑5

Should have been in the show. Dang; If only there had been a 6th Season...

FrightfulAccountant

10y↑3

You could not be more right.
This band was born to make Miami Vice Music
and Miami Vice was ment to have a 6th season :p

Supertron

10y↑1

Yeah, it was just bad luck I guess. It took awhile to get S5 started, then Don Johnson decided he didn't want to do the show anymore, he wanted to do movies and record another album. I guess they just didn't have the money to convince him to stay for one more season. And Autograph was on MTV a lot back before grunge, so I'm a little surprised they didn't have more songs on Vice; I could totally imagine songs of theirs in Vice, like Deep End, Thrill of Love, All I'm Gonna Take, Take No Prisoners, Changing Hands, You'll Get Over It, Loud and Clear, Dance All Night, etc.

FrightfulAccountant

10y

Yeah I readed about it.
I do not hate MV S5 as much as other fans seem to do. It had certain dept to it and I could appreciate the more darker atmosphere. But after the change of direction that was made with S4, S5 again went further away from the sort of mainstream, action humor show the first 3 seasons had deliverd, into some sort of drama show with heavy thriller elements. I guess that is why the view rate dropped.

As music, I am from Europe and born in 1989, so I don't know much about it, but I always tought of it like the show was set on the wrong coast to incorporate a lot of the 80s Hair Metal. I see Hair Metal as something typical for the West-Coast (LA, Vegas, San Francisco, HollyWood,...), wheraes the East-Coast was more into American New Wave, Synthpop and European Postpunk. And since Miami Vice always wanted to feature the newest in popmusic....
But still, there were some great Metal tracks played in Miami Vice, so I do not complain to much about it :p

Jovan fighter Brooke Cousin

29w

Old school

Protestant Believer

32w

I'm trying to wonder why they used Autograph footage for this song.

Orkhan.S

8y↑2

not bad band

areasmith

6y↑6

Do you happen to have the name of the model who is in black and white?

driffter1976

8y↑1

Calling them metal is a stretch.

FrightfulAccountant

8y↑4

Depending of your definition of Metal. Next to Thrash, Groove en Metalcore this is indeed a very diffrent sort of band.
But for whom Metal still is 80s Heavy in the first place, this is no far stretch at all.
In my book, Glammetal is a subgenre of Hard Rock.