The recording of "Bad" took place between January and July 1987, with Jackson contributing to the writing of nine of the album's eleven tracks. The album's sound was an evolution of Jackson's pop, funk and R&B styles, and also incorporated elements of rock, soul, and hard rock.

Upon its release, "Bad" received mixed reviews from music critics, but it was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. The album spawned five number-one singles, including "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man in the Mirror," and the title track "Bad."

To promote the album, Jackson embarked on the "Bad World Tour," which ran from September 1987 to January 1989. It was one of the most successful tours of all time, grossing over $125 million and playing to over four million people worldwide.

"Bad" has since become one of Jackson's most iconic and influential albums, and it has been certified 10x Platinum in the United States, with over 35 million copies sold worldwide.