Feature Photo: Apple Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Badfinger’s arrival came from Swansea, Wales, where Pete Ham, Ron Griffiths, and Dai Jenkins formed a band in 1961 that eventually became known as The Iveys. By the late sixties, Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Mike Gibbins, and Joey Molland had crystallized into a lineup ready for prime time. A key moment came when their performance at Strawberry Studios attracted the attention of Mal Evans and, ultimately, all four Beatles. That led to a deal on Apple Records and the rebranding to Badfinger, adopting a name from an early working title of a Beatles song.
From 1968 to 1973, Badfinger released five studio albums under Apple Records, a run captured by records like Magic Christian Music, No Dice, Straight Up, Ass, and Badfinger. They rivaled the best pop songwriters with four consecutive global hit singles, which remain the centerpieces of their legacy. In 1970, “Come and Get It,” composed and produced by Paul McCartney, hit the top 10 in the UK and the US. Later that same year, “No Matter What” climbed the charts, followed by “Day After Day” in 1971, produced by George Harrison, and “Baby Blue” in 1972, with production from Todd Rundgren. These songs defined a sound that married Beatlesque melody with power pop clarity.
Their songwriting craft reached its peak with “Without You,” co-written by Ham and Evans, which was featured on No Dice. Although Badfinger’s own version didn’t chart high, its emotional impact made it a worldwide standard, eventually becoming a number-one smash through covers by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. In 1972, Ham and Evans received the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. “Without You” has been covered by over 180 artists and remains an emotional benchmark in pop music.
After Apple folded in 1973, Badfinger was plunged into financial and managerial chaos. Stan Polley’s fraud and mismanagement led to crippling legal disputes, freezing their royalties, and derailing momentum. The heartbreak of that collapse forced Pete Ham to take his own life in 1975. Tom Evans struggled on, releasing albums through the late seventies like Airwaves and Say No More, but he, too, died by suicide in 1983. Mike Gibbins passed from a brain aneurysm in 2005. Joey Molland, who carried on later versions of the group through Head First (recorded in 1974 but released in 2000) and touring as Joey Molland’s Badfinger, died in 2025.
Despite the tragedies, Badfinger’s musical legacy is massive. They are estimated to have sold 14 million records worldwide and are revered for defining the early 70s power pop sound. They influenced generations of songwriters, their catalog remains endlessly modern, and tributes continue. Swansea even unveiled a blue plaque in 2013 honoring Pete Ham and the Iveys. Bob Jackson revived the name Badfinger for tribute tours, drawing respectful crowds to celebrate the music. Their influence endures because they wrote from the heart, crafted from the studio, and lived their story on a stage that still resonates.
Complete List Of Badfinger Songs From A to Z
- Airwaves – Airwaves – 1979
- And Her Daddy’s a Millionaire – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Andy Norris – Badfinger – 1974
- Angelique – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Apple of My Eye – Ass – 1973
- Baby Blue – Straight Up – 1971
- Back Again – Head First – 2000
- Beautiful and Blue – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Because I Love You – Say No More – 1981
- Believe Me – No Dice – 1970
- Better Days – No Dice – 1970
- Blind Owl – Ass – 1973
- Blodwyn – No Dice – 1970
- Carry On Till Tomorrow – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Come and Get It – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Come Down Hard – Airwaves – 1979
- Come On – Say No More – 1981
- Constitution – Ass – 1973
- Cowboy – Ass – 1973
- Crimson Ship – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Crocadillo – Say No More – 1981
- Day After Day – Straight Up – 1971
- Dear Angie – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Dennis – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Fisherman – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Flying – Straight Up – 1971
- Get Away – Ass – 1973
- Give It a Try – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Give It Up – Badfinger – 1974
- Got to Get Out of Here – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Hold On – Say No More – 1981
- I Can Love You – Ass – 1973
- I Can’t Take It – No Dice – 1970
- I Don’t Mind – No Dice – 1970
- I Got You – Say No More – 1981
- I Miss You – Badfinger – 1974
- I’d Die Babe – Straight Up – 1971
- I’m in Love – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- I’ve Been Waiting – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Icicles – Ass – 1973
- In the Meantime / Some Other Time – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Island – Badfinger – 1974
- It Had to Be – No Dice – 1970
- It’s Over – Straight Up – 1971
- Just a Chance – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Keep Believing – Head First – 2000
- King of the Load (T) – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Knocking Down Our Home – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Know One Knows – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Lay Me Down – Head First – 2000
- Lonely You – Badfinger – 1974
- Look Out California – Airwaves – 1979
- Looking for My Baby – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Lost Inside Your Love – Airwaves – 1979
- Love Is Easy – Badfinger – 1974
- Love Is Gonna Come at Last – Airwaves – 1979
- Love Me Do – No Dice – 1970
- Love Time – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Matted Spam – Badfinger – 1974
- Maybe Tomorrow – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Meanwhile Back at the Ranch / Should I Smoke – Wish You Were Here – 1974
- Midnight Caller – No Dice – 1970
- Midnight Sun – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Money – Straight Up – 1971
- Moonshine – Head First – 2000
- Mr. Manager – Head First – 2000
- Mrs. Jones – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- My Heart Goes Out – Badfinger – 1974
- Name of the Game – Straight Up – 1971
- No Escaping Your Love – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- No Matter What – No Dice – 1970
- No More – Say No More – 1981
- Passed Fast – Head First – 2000
- Passin’ Time – Say No More – 1981
- Perfection – Straight Up – 1971
- Rock ‘N’ Roll Contract – Say No More – 1981
- Rock of All Ages – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Rockin’ Machine – Head First – 2000
- Sail Away – Airwaves – 1979
- Sali Bloo – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Savile Row – Head First – 2000
- See-Saw Granpa – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Shine On – Badfinger – 1974
- Sometimes – Straight Up – 1971
- Song for a Lost Friend – Badfinger – 1974
- Suitcase – Straight Up – 1971
- Sweet Tuesday Morning – Straight Up – 1971
- Sympathy – Airwaves – 1979
- Take It All – Straight Up – 1971
- The Dreamer – Airwaves – 1979
- The Winner – Ass – 1973
- They’re Knocking Down Our Home – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Think About the Good Times – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Three Time Loser – Say No More – 1981
- Timeless – Ass – 1973
- Too Hung Up on You – Say No More – 1981
- Turn Around – Head First – 2000
- Walk in the Rain – Magic Christian Music – 1970
- Watford John – No Dice – 1970
- We’re for the Dark – No Dice – 1970
- When I Say – Ass – 1973
- Where Do We Go from Here? – Badfinger – 1974
- Why Don’t We Talk – Badfinger – 1974
- Without You – No Dice – 1970
- Yesterday Ain’t Coming Back – Maybe Tomorrow – 1969
- Your So Fine – Wish You Were Here – 1974
Albums
Maybe Tomorrow (1969): 16 songs
Magic Christian Music (1970): 14 Songs
No Dice (1970): 12 new songs
Straight Up (1971): 12 new songs
Ass (1973): 10 new songs
Badfinger (1974): 12 new songs
Wish You Were Here (1974): 9 new songs
Airwaves (1979): 8 new songs (9 total, 1 repeat)
Say No More (1981): 10 new songs
Head First (2000): 9 new songs
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