2 Attachment(s) The penultimate song on 'Special Forces' is called 'You're A Movie' which, for some reason, Alice sings in a poor English accent! Musically, it's another synth-based pop-rocker 09/10 You're A Movie (Cooper, Hitchings) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxB9MULrkGw "I fearlessly walk into battle With a shine on my boots and my teeth Never flinch, never blink, never rattle My blood is like ice underneath Oh, I'm the reicarnation of Patten And I've got Hannibal's heart in my chest God told me I would have rivalled Alexander the Great at his best (You're a movie) Quite (You're a movie) Yes (The exception) That's right (You're the one o' kind) (You're a movie) More of an epic (Please include me, send us to the line) Mm, that's right Very good The bullets repel off my metals And my men are in awe when I speak All chaos my strategies settles My mere presence gives strength to the weak For me it seems really alarming I'm really just only a man With five million sheep in this army I seem to be the only one fit to command (You're a movie) I'm quite aware (You're a movie) Yes (The exception) Oh, you've noticed (You're the one o' kind) (You're a movie) A very big movie (Please include me, send us to the line) Mm, if you're lucky I must go now and save the world Stand aside mere drop of water, let the ocean pass (You're a movie) Quite right (You're a movie) (The exception) (You're the one o' kind) (You're a movie) (Please include me) Mm hmm (Please include me) (Please include me) Possibly (Send us to the lines) Good man (Send us to the lines) I'll be at the front, please (Front of the lines) Oh, alright Follow me Another day, another victory Another gold stripe, another star Really quite boring sometimes I wish they'd send someone equal to my strategies What a guy I'm really quite a guy Movie, movie,. movie, movie, movie Movie, movie,. movie, movie Movie, movie,. movie, movie, movie Movie, movie,. movie, movie Movie, movie,. movie, movie, movie Movie, movie,. movie, movie (repeat to fade)" The last song on the album, 'Vicious Rumours' is another post-puck song. The guitars are fast, and it had the potential to be a furious rocker, but something is not right. I think it's the electric drums that let the song down. It's fun, but... To bring the album full circle, the song finishes with a quick return to the opening track 'Who Do You Think We Are?' 10/10 Vicious Rumours (Cooper, Hitchings, Scott, Pinera) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4dipnTXkQ "You feel the knife stuck in your back You feel it twist and you hear it crack Can't make a sound for the sudden pain You wish your blood were Novocaine You see the smoke and you feel the flak You're burning up and you're turning black They say you fell and you hit your head Your ugly bump is wet and red Vicious rumours, paranoic fears Sonic boomers ringing in your ears All of this is getting normal now You'll never go back to your farm and plough Vicious rumours You're right at home back at William's flat You heard a sound you turned and shot your cat Your hands are shaking, everybody sees And there's a rhythm drumming in your knees You return into your foreign night Inside you know something is just not right Sometimes you duck when you see your pet Canary turn into a Sabre jet Shock consumer - you're just an average guy Swelling tumor pushing on your eye And now you know why all the headaches come And why you're getting progressively numb Vicious rumours I've been denied, debriefed, detuned Sometimes I howl right at the moon My family treats me fragilely They know my volatility Vicious rumours, paranoic fears Sonic boomers ringing in my ears And now I know why all the headaches come And why you're getting progressively numb Vicious rumours Vicious rumours Vicious rumours Vicious rumours Vicious rumours Vicious rumours Vicious rumours Vicious rumours Vicious rumours [Fade into..] Who Do You Think We Are (Reprise) Who do you think we are Who do you think we are Who do you think we are Who do you think we are Who do you think we are We don't care We don't care" The 1982 'Special Forces' tour was a very sparse affair, with few of the theatrics. It was also the last Alice tour until 1986 As mentioned, Alice changed his make-up for this period. Personally, I think he is looks scary As far as I can gather, it was the first time he had appeared in Europe since the 'Welcome To My Nightmare' shows in 1975. The UK shows were in February '82, and dates were at Brighton, Birmingham, London, Manchester and Glasgow Sometime during the European shows, Alice managed to stab himself through the leg with his sword! The touring band, consisted of: Mike Pinera - guitar Sgt. John Nitzinger - guitar Duane Hitchings - keyboards, guitar (replaced by Wayne Cook (Ex-Steppenwolf) mid-tour) Colonel Erik Scott - bass Top Colonel Jan Uvena - drums Sheryl Cooper - Dancer Duane Hitchings was replaced by Wayne Cook mid-tour because Hitchings wanted to concentrate more on song-writing instead of playing A sample setlist consisted of:
'Seven and Seven Is' was sometimes included in the show at the expense of either 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' or 'Grim Facts'. In Europe, 'Seven and Seven Is' became part of the show and was played after 'I Never Cry'. In France, 'Guilty' and 'Grim Facts' were not played. During some shows, two verses of 'Vicious Rumours' were played in the middle of 'School's Out'. It was the first time that 'Generation Landslide' had been performed live |
There are two other songs of interest that were recorded at this time. The first is entitled 'Look At You Over There, Ripping The Sawdust From My Teddy Bear' which is the 'missing' song from the 'Special Forces' album Only recorded as a demo, Alice intended to have it on the album, but the production was running late and Warner Bros. had to have all the credits and song list for the record so although it was included and printed on the album cover, it was decided that the song didn't actually fit soundwise, so ultimately it wasn't on the album. Fans had to wait until the release of the 'Life And Crimes Of Alice Cooper' boxset in 1999 before they could hear the song Sadly, it is not available on YouTube, so I am unable to include the recording here "You got your crust Turning my daydreams into dust Oh look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear Yeah look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear You're so darn pretty girl I think you know it you was you On Monday morning putting back yakity yak Oh look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear Yeah now look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear You take the pebbles from the babies rattle You make Santa's reindeer look like cattle You take Tinkerbells rust, turn it into sawdust Yeah now look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear Yeah look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear You take the pebbles from the babies rattle You make Santa's reindeer look like cattle You take Tinkerbell's rust turn it into sawdust You got your crust Turning my daydreams into dust Yeah now look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear Yeah now look at you over there ripping the sawdust from my teddy bear Look at you over there, Look at you over there Look at you over there, Look at you over there Look at you over there, Look at you over there Yeah look at you over there, Look at you over there, Look at you over there Look at you over there, Look at you over there Over there, over there, over there, over there My poor teddy bear, teddy bear, teddy bear, teddy bear" The second curio is entitled 'For Britain Only', and was released as a single 'only in Britain' Of this song, Alice says: "It had been several years since we had toured England, and I was pretty overwhelmed by the great reaction. This is a tribute song to my home away from home" Eagle eared listeners will recognize a snatch of the riff from 'Guilty' in the song The 'B' sides on various releases (7" single & 12" Single) were live versions of 'Under My Wheels', ''Model Citizen' and 'Who Do You Think We Are?', all recorded on the final night of the tour at Glasgow Apollo on February 19th, 1982 The song can also be found on 'The Life And Crimes' boxset http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEQFS7VCq8A "We blasted Glasgow Invaded France Assaulted Sweden Took down our pants And lovely England My little kitten Deliriously Black widow Bitten For Britain only, only for Britain, yeah For Britain only, only for Britain Jumped on the concord Ain't much for sittin' I told my boys, now No public spiting No bar room fighting No bad head splitting Behave yourself 'cause we're, we're back in Britain For Britain only, only for Britain Cost six years of time and space It took so long to change his face To redesign this streamline pace Now strong and sleek but still no taste Guilty I'm guilty Won't go to Hungary Iran is out Welcome to Moscow, huh I have my doubts Can't get near Libya That boy's insane Let`s head to London, where we can scream again... For Britain only, only for Britain, yeah... For Britain only, only for Britain For Britain only, only for Britain yeah For Britain only, only for Britain" |
In 1982, Alice released the painfully titled 'Zipper Catches Skin''. It's a very plain guitar-oriented album, with the keyboards kept to a minimum. It also saw the return of guitarist Dick Wagner, but he left the recordings half way thru. He has described the album as being "a drug induced nightmare" and in the deleted scenes on the film 'Super Duper Alice Cooper' documentary, he explains that Alice was smoking crack cocaine at the time and had a curtain set up behind the recording mic with a stool on it where he kept his crack pipe; he and other members of the band would sneak behind the curtain to take hits in between recording takes. Alice Cooper – vocals, synthesizer Erik Scott – bass Jan Uvena – drums, percussion John Nitzinger – guitar Dick Wagner – guitar Mike Pinera – guitar Billy Steele – guitar Duane Hitchings – synthesizer Craig Krampf - percussion Producer - Alice Cooper and Erik Scott The opening cut, 'Zorro's Ascent' is a 'back-to-basics' galloping rock song, with a minimalistic guitar and drums line-up. It's a good one 01/10 - Zorro's Ascent (Cooper, Nitzinger, Scott, Steele) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09xd8iMEtxs "Zorro lies dying In the Spanish sun All the women crying, especially the pretty ones He drew his sword... They came with guns Stealing is stealing, I've done lots of that Now reach into my pocket, padre hide this gold pouch in your hat And let the skinny peons feed upon the fat It was liberated from some aristocrat, eh? So pray for him father Or you need not bother 'Cause I am the fox And I go where I want If heaven ignores me The devil adores me Yes, I am the fox And I go where I want Padre, don't it seem hundred years ago Before I donned the mask I Don Diego Now there's only minutes left for the cunning El Zorro Go fetch my sword...my horse, I'll ride out death. Diablo So pray for him father Or you need not bother 'Cause I am the fox And I go where I want If heaven ignores me The devil adores me I am the fox And I go where I want Death you're running closer and I can't keep this pace Sir, I'm disadvantaged and should I lose this race Hand to me your deadliest wine, I'll give you back a taste Before you burn your mark on me, I'll carve mine in your face So pray for him, father You need not bother 'Cause I am the fox And I go where I want When Satan annoys me Then heaven employs me 'Cause I am the fox And I go where I want to go El Zorro" The second song 'Make That Money (Scrooge's Song)', started life as part of an abandoned project that Alice was working on in the late 70's - a concept album based on the Dickens story 'A Christmas Carol'. It's a gruff hard-rock song with a catchy riff and a compelling melody. The lyrics are about the pre-enlightened Scrooge, and Alice's growling vocal performance hits the notes perfectly. 02/10 - Make That Money (Scrooge's Song) (Cooper, Wagner) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CszR7ZvuFNo "When I was a boy I never played with toys Never had a friend Never laughed or cried much And when I was a boy My father was a man With a strict and sturdy hand No soft touch Make that money, make that money Make that money run like honey on your tongue Gotta make that money Make that money, listen sonny, learn to sting before your stung Now that I'm a man Every penny has been planned I'm financially grand And perfectly greedy Sentimental fools I make all your rules I've got your cash, your jewels They're all mortgaged to me Make that money, make that money Make that money run like honey on your tongue Gotta make that money Make that money, listen sonny, learn to sting before your stung And I know 'cause he told me so Told me so I believe him I still believe... Give me that money Controlling all your cash I could make you live in trash I eat pheasant, you eat hash No philanthropy But when it's time for me to croak Bury me with all my dough And where there should've been an oak My private money tree will grow Make that money Said make that money Make that money run like honey on your tongue Told me so Told me so He told me so" |
The third song on the album, 'I Am The Future', is probably best known to people on the forum as being used in the movie 'Class Of '84' (albeit as a remixed version) The writers of this song were Gary Osbourne, who was a collaborator with Elton John, and wrote some of the songs on the Jeff Wayne 'War Of The World' project, and also Lalo Schifrin, who is best known for the theme to 'Mission: Impossible'! This song was produced by Steve Tyrell 03/10 - I Am The Future (Schifrin, Osborne) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHkcqpVtjvc "When does a dream become a nightmare? When do we do what must be done? When do we stand and face the future? When there is nowhere left to run? And you got to learn Just how to survive Youe got to learn How to keep your dream alive Take a look at my face I am the future How do you like what you see? Take a look at my face I belong to the future And you belong to me When does a dream become a nightmare? When do we learn to live with fear? When we cry out for some salvation? Why is it no one seems to hear? You've got to learn It's up to you If you can learn that the dream just might come true Take a look at my face I am the future How do you like what you see? Take a look at my face I belong to the future The world belongs to me, yeah Take a look at my face I am the future Now, how do you like what you see? Take a look at my face I belong to the future And the world it belongs to me It belongs to me It's all mine Just take a look at my face I'm the future, no disgrace Take a look at my face This world belongs to...to me" The next song, 'No Baloney Homosapiens', is dedicated to 'Steve and ET'. The Steve in question is Steven Speilberg! It's not a good song, coming over as clunky and tedious 04/10 - No Baloney Homosapiens (Cooper, Wagner) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWDMqRb6Ee4 "Hey you out there in outer space You're looking at some style and grace The blood and gutty human race Well, come on down here to meet us And all you sightings up there in the sky Feel free to drop in anytime Anytime you're just kinda passin' by And you get the urge that you want to see us Oh, we're fun and games Just guys and just dames But don't call us names And most of all, please don't eat us 'Cause we're no baloney, homosapiens We ain't phoney Oh we're no baloney homosapiens Listen, just 'cause you got more ears than eyes That just gives you more places to cry And acutely hear all the moans and sighs Of the relatives of the people you disintegrated And don't you say we're easy prey 'Cause buddy, that's the day Your underestimation will defeat you But don't worry, we're civilized and We won't eat you 'Cause we're no baloney, we're homosapiens We ain't no phoney Yeah, we're no baloney homosapiens We're black and white, you're green and blue Well, we're all right, so are you...I think My blood's thick red, you bleed black glue So, let's not bleed at all, is that all right with you? Yes, we're no baloney, we're homosapiens We're not phoney Yeah, we're no baloney homosapiens Yes, we're no baloney, homosapiens Take it back with ya We're no no no no baloney homosapiens No baloney, homosapiens No baloney, homosapiens" |
Completing the first side of the album is 'Adaptable (Anything For You)' and it is a good rocker. The guitar and drums work well here, and unlike the similarly titled Meatloaf song, it's not a soppy ballad Lyrically, it's full of television and film pop-culture references 05/10 - Adaptable (Anything For You) (Cooper, Scott, Steele) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXAD8tl0p8M "If you were Lucy I'd be your Ricky When you were juicy I'd get real sticky And when you're magic It makes me tricky, too Yeah, I'm a Sony You're Panasonic I'm heavy metal You're philharmonic If you get earaches I'd turn my volume down A notch or two for you 'Cause I will do anything for you Anything you want me to I'm so adaptable to you Was untrappable 'til you I will do for you Anything for you Adaptable for you Adaptable to you If you do that fold out I'll scream and holler But when you hold out I'll spend three dollars One way or other, babe I'll spend the night with you That's true Now, you ain't no Hepburn And I ain't no Fonda But if you were drownin' In Golden Ponda Mouth to mouth I'd resuscitate with you Because I'm so adaptable to you Anything you want me to I'm so adaptable to you Was untrappable 'til you I will do for you Anything for you Adaptable for you Adaptable to you Adaptable to you So plug me into you Say you're Vampira And needed plasma And I was dying From chronic asthma I'd leave my death bed To draw some blood for you Just for you Because I will do anything for you Anything you want me to And I will do anything for you Anything you want me to Yes, I'm so adaptable to you Leave a craps table for you On a winning streak I will do for you Anything for you Adaptable to you Adaptable to you" The following song, 'I Like Girls', despite it's dumb title, is another good rock song, with not a keyboard in sight! The female vocals are provided by Patricia Donahue, who was the lead singer in the American band The Waitresses 05/10 - I Like Girls (Cooper, Nitzinger, Scott) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7Ls2V-L_h0 "I bought a Porsche and I'm leavin' Grand Rapids Quit my job, quit my school, quit this place My mama cried, my father was fried Hey, I've got no time, man I wanna say goodbye to my babes I like girls I dumped on Sheila on Thursday I'll drop Melissa today I'll kiss some tears off of Donna Ask if she'll call on Shauna Amanda, and Sandra and Kay I like girls, I love 'em to death [Patty:] Hey Valentino! You goin' somewhere? You wouldn't sneak out on me, would you? What's that, a blond hair? He must visualize himself an Errol Flynn I see myself a suave sophisticated lover I'll meet a rich hot old Hollywood dame You see, my ultimate goal Will be my life bein' told In a penthouse letter that I can frame and keep at home I like girls, I love 'em, oh yeah [Patty] New luggage? Did you say you were going somewhere? Oh, just out for some fresh air. Does she have a nice pair? He was swallowed alive by the freeway Turned into an ant on parade He bravely drove off that beast Aimed his car back to the east Why be a snack at home? I'm a feast, for the girls I like girls, I really like 'em [Patty] Well, well, well. Look who's back. Run out of gas? [Alice] Patty, I was just gonna call you. Look... I left Donna and Shauna And Katy and Carrie Melissa and Dena I just didn't have any use for 'em I just want you Really, no really, honest! [Patty] Oink off!" |
'Remarkably Insecure' is a fast paced rocker. However, there is something about the vocal performance that I do not like 07/10 - Remarkably Insecure (Cooper, Nitzinger, Scott) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgO5zlJ0H5o "Yeah, I'm such a liar One time I told you You were the highlight Of all of my sexual life While I'm confessing When you're undressing I was picking the lock On your safe with my knife Einstein If you're so naive that you believe Everything I said to you Well, I got your sex and wrote you rubber checks Well, what d' ya think I was gonna do My reputation for exaggeration It never got to you That's why I left Duluth Sometimes I stretch the truth My dearest darling You know that luggage It belonged to the blond with the really nice pair And incidentally I sorely missed you The pain was so hard to bear If I would rate you Not that I hate you But you would end up eighth, maybe ninth in your class Your build is hot now If you could use your Brain like you use your ass Oh, you're so naive How could you believe Everything I said to you My reputation for exaggeration It never got to you Sometimes I'm so uncouth Sometimes I stretch the truth Hey, I'm such a liar One time I told you You were the highlight of all of my sexual life I'm remarkably insincere Incredibly insincere Totally insincere Oh don't take it so hard, my dear I'm consistently insincere" Much better is 'Tag, You're It', a parody of slasher films (and 'Halloween' in particular). It's a fun song Many watermelons were knifed in the studio to get the correct stabbing sounds! 08/10 - Tag, You're It (Cooper, Nitzinger, Scott) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY-l7YXBbt0 "Let's assume that he's the groom and he's been waiting To consummate all night And you're the bride, you're locked tight inside the bathroom And you're overcome with freight Now here's the chiller , he's the killer you've discovered You're trapped, alone, you're scared We cut to you, we move in close, you're catatonic You get a close up there And in this shot, here's what we got, he breaks the door down And tears your nightgown lace You see a can, it's aerosol, you grab the hair spray And light it in his face There's a very hungry man in the cellar Oh, waiting Or is he in the attic closet Waiting Debbie? I like this game. Debbie? Debbie? Debbie? Debbie? He blindly grabs you, tries to stab you but you're quicker You over act right here You see a cat, a ball of yarn, a knitting needle His vision's still not clear He's stumbling 'round, don't make a sound and then he grabs you "Hide and seek, my dear?" He shifts his glance, you see your chance, you grab the needle and you You plunge it in his ear There's a very hungry man in the cellar Oh, waiting Or is he in the attic closet Waiting There's a very hungry man in the cellar Oh, waiting Or is he in the attic closet Waiting And just like the scene in "Halloween" You think it's all over And you're gazing into space But you got to make sure, you hear something, you start to turn And you're standing there frozen staring him face to face And he looks at you and says "Tag, you're it, Sweetie" "Bye, Debbie. Debbie, Debbie, Debbie. Goodbye, Debbie..."" |
Song number nine, 'I Better Be Good' is another fast paced rocker. It's good, but I find the musical stop-start structure to be very off-putting The title for the album is in the lyrics for this song 09/10 - I Better Be Good (Cooper, Scott, Wagner) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuJpfJBg6h8 "If I ain't cool my daddy gonna send me to Military School If I ain't nice my girlie gonna freeze me with cold shoulder ice If I'm real late my teacher gonna use me for alligator bait So, I better be good I better be good If I jump on the gas the cops are gonna jump all over my back If I smoke too much doctor says he's gonna put my lungs in a crutch If I'm caught without my pants consuelo's dad is gonna shoot until he sees me dance So, I better be good I had better be good You better be nice You better be nice You better be nice You better be nice Nice, nice, nice - you better be Nice, nice, nice - you better be Nice, nice, nice - Uh, uh, uh, uh Nice, nice, nice Na na na na na ni na ni nice Na na na na na ni na ni nice You better be nice tonight If I spray it on the seat lady gonna tie a big knot in the meat If I spewey too fast lover's gonna stick my Wrangler in a cast If zipper grabs skin I'll know I had it out when I shoulda kept it in Ow. I better be good I better be good I better be good Ooh. You better be nice You better be nice You better be nice You better be nice Nice, nice, nice - you better be Nice, nice, nice - you better be Nice, nice, nice - Uh, uh, uh, uh Nice, nice, nice I'd better be nice tonight - yeah Nice, nice, nice Nice Nice, nice, nice Nice, nice, nice Na na na na na ni na ni nice Na na na na na ni na ni nice (repeat to fade)" The final song, 'I'm Alive (That Was The Day My Dead Pet Returned To Save My Life), is another quite enjoyable punk-centered song with its tight riffs and ultra-clean drums. Cooper's vocal performance is another good piece of play-acting 10/10 - I'm Alive (That Was The Day My Dead Pet Returned To Save My Life) (Cooper, Scott, Wagner) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPe6L5Q6aeU "I was just kicking down the street and the sun was in my eyes So I couldn't see the truck that was sixty times my size And just seconds off from splattering me Let me tell you I was so scared I couldn't move like my boots were full of glue Then I felt a little tug and I thought of good Old Blue And he pulled me from that catastrophe That was the day my dead pet returned to save my life I'm alive He's alive I'm alive I was spitting in the canyon near the cliff up on the mountain When an unexpected sneeze, hung me in the breeze At forty five degrees in the sky Suddenly I felt something had me by the belt And in between my praying swore I heard a stallion neighing Was the ghost of my horse And I cried, yes I cried That was the day my dead pet returned to save my life That was the day my dead pet returned to save my life I'm alive He's alive Hey, I'm alive Things were getting gory, got caught on territory Belonging to the Crutches in an alley in their clutches Looking kind of dismal that night Well the leader's name was Fats swinging broken baseball bats Things got really frantic starting jumping in their panic Hallucinating billions of rats Lots of rats That was the day my dead pet returned to save my life That was the day my dead pet returned to save my life I'm alive, I'm alive, real alive That was the day my dead pet returned That was the day my dead pet returned That was the day my dead pet returned That was the day my dead pet returned To save my life I'm alive, I'm alive He's alive, he's alive, he's alive I'm alive, yeah He's alive, he's alive I'm alive, real alive Alive, alive, alive Alive, alive, alive, alive Alive, alive, alive, alive I'm alive" For the first time since 1976 ('Go To Hell'), there was no tour to promote the album |
The 1983 release was 'DaDa', which some people consider to be a masterpiece. Alice might have been at the bottom of his commercial powers — very few people bought this album and again there was no tour to support it - but this is a very fascinating record. Contained within, you'll find dark, serious themes pertaining to schizophrenia, estranged family members, cannibalism, alcoholism, vampirism, and more. Needless to say, this isn't quite like the jokey albums he had been releasing lately! Much of the album was done using the CMJ Fairlight computer. For the most part, the drums are computer programs embellished with some live drumming. The album cover for 'Dada' is based on part of a Salvador Dali painting called 'Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire'. The painting is an optical illusion which shows differing images depending on how you look at it. In the case of the 'Dada' cover you have either two images of Alice-like figures sitting down, or an old mans head. 'Dada' credits include "special thanks to Judge Joseph A Wapner". He was the judge on a television programme called 'Peoples Court'. Alice was a fan of the show. In 1996 Cooper said that DaDa was the scariest album he ever made, and that he never had any idea what it was about Alice Cooper – vocals, synthesizer Dick Wagner - Guitar, Bass, Vocals Graham Shaw - OBX-8, Roland Jupiter, Vocals Bob Ezrin - Fairlight, Keyboards, Drums, Percussion, Vocals Sarah Ezrin (Bob Ezrin`s daughter)- Dada Producer - Bob Ezrin The opening cut, 'DaDa' is a dark and disturbing almost-instrumental piece. The spoken track contains a conversation between Alice and his psychiatrist 01/09 - DaDa (Ezrin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjrYYWzJyF8 "(Dada, Dada, Dada) (Dada, Dada, Dada) (Dada, Dada, Dada) [Alice] I don't know what you mean about nasty feelings, it's... [Doctor] Let me help you out of this, you were starting to feel a certain way, violence, resentful. [Alice] How do you know that? I told you? I told you that? [Doctor] That's right, remember yesterday? [Alice] I don't want to talk about that, I don't want to talk about it. Let's talk about, uh, talk about something else. Ok? [Doctor] What would you like to talk about? [Alice] Uh [Doctor] Tell me about your son. [Alice] My son, yeah well, he took care of me. He's took care of me for a long, he still takes care of me. She takes good, and she takes care of me. She takes, she takes good care of me. He takes care of me, Do you believe it. I have a daughter too. [Doctor] You don't have a daughter. [Alice] Yeah, I have a daugher, yeah. [Doctor] A son - you have a son, a son. [Alice] No I, no I, all I have, I have I have a son, I have a son and a daughter, and a daughter. No, I have a son, daughter, daughter too, and a boy, and a boy (Dada) (Dada) [Alice] I'm a little tired now [Doctor] Well that's alright, I think that's enough for today. [Alice] I'm feeling rough and kinda hungry too. (Dada) [Alice] Who's my boy?" After that, we get to the actual songs on the album, starting with 'Enough's Enough', which is a good song. Alice has abandoned the plain guitar-led numbers from the previous album and returned to doing guitar-heavy versions of synth pop. It begins quirky, but that chorus come almost out of nowhere and takes us on a helicopter ride from hell. It's been stated that "Maybe "Enough's Enough" be a pseudo-autobiography? I remember that he said at the 1996 Motor City Music Awards: "I also want to thank a little 87 year old man that lives here in Detroit who played left handed Stratocaster way before Jimi Hendrix did. And that man is my uncle Vince who I was named after. He bought me my first rock and roll record which was "Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry. And that was the first moment of Alice Cooper, I think, when I heard that record. That was something that was really impressing to me. Just the idea that somebody could sound like that." There's a line in "Enough's Enough" which said "Hey Dad...Why'd you hide your brother?". I know it's a reference to Former Lee Warmer, but... Is it also an obscure reference to his own uncle? He was the one who initiated Alice into the rock and roll world. Wouldn't Alice's father have had a certain resentment about his brother for doing this with Little Vince Damon Furnier?"" 02/09 - Enough's Enough (Cooper, Wagner, Shaw, Ezrin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM1arHQvkpE "Enough's enough's enough's enough This year's been really really rough Hey Dad...What'd you do with mother Hey Dad...Why'd you hide your brother I just want to tell you that I'm really felling bad I tell you.. Enough enough's enough's enough Enough enough's enough's enough I'm up to here with all your stuff Hey Dad...What'll happen now sir? Hey Dad...Can we live without her? I don't need your money, your position or your candy, Daddy Enough enough's enough's enough When my mother died, she laid in bed and cried: "I'm going to miss you, my brave little cowboy" I saw my father smile (a smile he tried to hide) He told me "Son, I've really got you now, boy." Come on, little cowboy Go buck and buck and make a buck Wanna show me how, boy? I wish you lots and lots of luck Are you leavin' now, boy? Hey, Dad...try and keep this sacred Hey, Dad...how'd you hide the hatred I just want to tell you you're a lousy Dad to hell with you Enough's enough's enough's enough When my mother died, she laid in bed and cried: "I'm going to miss you, my brave little cowboy" I saw my father smile (a smile he tried to hide) He told me "Son, I've really got you now, boy." Come on, little cowboy Enough! Enough! Go buck and buck and make a buck Come and show me how, boy. You're gonna need a lot of luck Mommy's little cowboy Hey, Dad...try and keep this sacred Hey, Dad...how'd you hide the hatred I just want to tell you you're a lousy Dad to hell with you Enough's enough's enough's enough Enough's enough's enough's enough Enough's enough's enough's enough Oh enough!" |
The third song on the album, 'Former Lee Warmer' is a weird, moody, orchestral-based piece Some people have read it as a vampire song, while others see it as a song about a cannibal! Personally, I don;t get either of those readings 03/09 - Former Lee Warmer (Cooper, Wagner, Ezrin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzdvZrxWnZ8 "In an upstairs room, under lock and key It's my brother, Former Lee All the mops and brooms keep him company Misconceived of the family Former Lee Warmer pulls up the covers to hide in his wrinkled bed No dreams go in, no dreams go out of the hole in his wrinkled head Former Lee Warmer When I hear him play in his twisted key That's the way he calls to me On a silver tray, I keep the master key In every way, he depends on me Former Lee Warmer, an old smoking jacket - holes in his satin sleeves Candle lit puddles, arthritic fingers, yellow stained ivory keys Huh......... In an upstairs room under lock and key It's my brother, Former Lee And after all these years, I've never heard him speak I wonder what he thinks of me Former Lee Warmer peeks out the window when he feels really brave Former Lee Warmer waves at his father out in the family grave He's flesh and blood to me I, I love him brotherly But, but I don't want to be Former Lee" 'No Man's Land', is another synth-pop thing, but it does contain some heavy metal guitars throughout It's an "Alice Christmas song"! 04/09 - No Man's Land (Cooper, Wagner, Ezrin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jILS9QqAO6Y "I got a job in Atlanta in a mall playing Santa Not because of any talent but because I was the only one the suit would fit Everybody shopping, little sticky kids were hopping on my lap with their fingers in my beard, I guess they thought that I was really it She sat down on my lap and said to me "I'm twenty three and I need someone You look like someone who could play with me Stay with me, all day with me" 'Cause I'm in no man's land Can't seem to find a real man You know I'm lookin' for a steel man She said I'm in no man's land I'm gonna show you a real good time I'd gladly pay you double overtime She was beggin' to be mine, but my job was on the line Should I stay or should I go? I just didn't know ...Hmmmm I left fifty kids standin' in line, they were whining, they were crying and their mothers they were screaming in hysterics and I swear I never heard such profanity I dropped my suit on the floor, they were trying to block the door They were calling her a whore They were driven to nativital insanity We drove away in her Mercedes Benz, dirty blond split ends in the breeze She said "I want to put you under my tree You're just a little gift from me to me" 'Cause I'm in no man's land Can't seem to find a real man You know I'm lookin' for a steel man She said I'm in no man's land You know I'm ready for a real good time I'd gladly pay you double overtime She had money all her life She wasn't lookin' to become my wife She said, "I hope you understand, I just want a nightful of man, Sonny" She didn't notice I was thin with a delicate chin Nor the softness of my skin, nor the scent of my other personalities She didn't see through my disguise, didn't see it in my eyes She was in for a surprise when she discovered my emotional plurality She said "Come and lay down on the floor with me It's warmer here by the fire" She didn't know that there was more of me She'd have to learn to love all four of me 'Cause I'm in no man's land I'm lookin' for the real me If only I could feel me You know I'm in no man's land Sometimes I gotta play me It's really hard to stay me Hey, I'm in no mans land I'm looking for the real me If only I could feel me No, I'm in no man's land Sometimes I gotta play me It's really hard to stay me Oh, I'm in no man's land I'm looking for the real me If only I could feel me" |
The final track on the first side of the album, 'Dyslexia' is another synth pop song. A horn-synth plays a disjointed groove and a nice bass-line keeps things trudging along. The melody isn't overly catchy, but the composition here remains pretty interesting throughout. It obviously isn't the album's shining moment, but it's crazy enough to keep the overall album exciting and interesting. 05/09 - Dyslexia (Cooper, Wagner, Shaw, Ezrin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYVR3hwQ-eE "Sometimes my world goes upside down Sometimes I see things backwards When I go walking in town, can't get back home Sometimes I see things right to left And I know that's not right at all But since I bumped into you, I bump into walls And no one knows what's wrong with me They think that I got dropsie Is dis love? Or is dyslexia Dyslexia Dyslexia I've got these glasses real thick and green Just like the bottoms of coke bottles I stumble 'round my house, so strange to me Sometimes my world goes upside down Sometimes I see things backwards But since I bumped into you, I bump into walls And no one knows what's wrong with me They think that I got dropsie Is dis love? Or is dyslexia Dyslexia Dyslexia I've got these glasses real thick and green Just like the bottoms of coke bottles I stumble 'round my house, so strange to me Sometimes my world goes upside down Sometimes I see things backwards But since I bumped into you, I bump into walls And no one knows what's wrong with me They think that I got dropsie Is dis love? Or is dyslexia Dyslexia Dyslexia, yeah Dyslexia Dyslexia, no Dyslexia yeah no yeah no yeah no yeah..." Opening side two is 'Scarlet And Sheba', a power ballad, that starts with a Middle Eastern vibe, before turning into a catchy heavy guitar tune. It's a fun song 06/09 - Scarlet And Sheba (Cooper, Wagner, Ezrin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PeNSJKxdBc "Scarlet wants to hold me, wearing just a red veiled hat Sheba's in the shadows waiting for her turn at bat In the parlour where the lights are low A vulture sister act, I watch their show They're trying to kill me, want to pick my bones Methodically, erotically I just want your body, Sheba I don't want your brain Scarlet gets what's left of my remains I just want your body, Sheba You lock me up in chains Scarlet, she can referee the game Scarlet likes to scold me, showers me with all her love Sheba's in a bad mood, sharpening her black fur glove With blood and honey attitude They'll never know my gratitude I'm crossed with longitude and latitude Upon my back...with a crack I just want your body, Sheba I don't want your brain Scarlet gets what's left of my remains I just want your body, Sheba You lock me up in chains Scarlet, she can referee the game I just want your body, Sheba I don't want your brain Scarlet gets what's left of my remains I just want your body, Sheba You lock me up in chains Scarlet, she can referee the game" |
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