The majority of the tracks on Badman originated as recordings made by the Armoury Show, featuring Richard Jobson (vocals) and Russell Webb (bass) as its two key members.

[5] The song was inspired by Edinburgh and, as revealed by Jobson to Music Week in 1988, about how "the American fleet came in after manoeuvres on the north coast of Scotland, and six months later there was an epidemic of heroin, followed by AIDS".

"[9] Dave Jennings of Melody Maker felt Badman "represents a failed attempt to create something huge and expansive" and instead "lack[s] fresh ideas and anything much to say".

[10] John Tague of NME considered it "underwhelming, bland, late '80s studio gloss" that "could have been made by any one of 100 artists", with a "patchwork of producers and musicians lacking personality and any sense of individuality".

"[11] North Wales Weekly News noted that, although it was a "polished and professional effort", "you can't help feeling irritated that, after the two long years it took to complete, the result could have been slightly more memorable".