Song#: 1940
Date: 06/16/1984
Debut: 90
Peak: 90
Weeks: 2
Genre: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Pop Bits: The hard rockin' and hard partyin' Crüe started to breakthrough to the mainstream with their second album Shout at the Devil. Having a #12 Rock track that crossed over to #54 on the Pop chart ("Looks That Kill") certainly helped. This next single also did well at Rock getting to #17, but it didn't get nearly as much support at Pop where it charted for two short weeks. The singles combined with popular shows and their outrageous antics helped sell the album, which got to #17. By January of '85 it would be certified double-platinum and by the end of the 90s it would be a quad-platinum seller.
ReduxReview: As with "Looks That Kill," you could tell that this band was on the verge of creating a hot combination of hair metal with radio-friendly hooks. They weren't quite there yet, but the songs showed promise. The groove of this one is especially tasty along with the chorus, but the verse wasn't as strong. Still, I think it should have done just as good or better than "Looks" at Pop. While listening to this I kept thinking...I've heard something similar to this. After a couple of listens I realized what it was. Go take a listen to Franz Ferdinand's 2004 breakthrough tune "Take Me Out." After a long intro, the song settles into a groove that his highly similar to this Crüe song. Coincidence or influence? You pick.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Another band on the verge of a breakthrough was Finland's Hanoi Rocks. The band found success at home and over the course of four albums their reputation and popularity grew, particularly in Japan where they were highly successful. After the release of their fifth album, the Bob Ezrin-produced Two Steps from the Move, they began to gain traction in the US and soon they were on tour in the States with several sold-out shows. However, the tour came to a temporary halt when band member Michael Monroe fractured his ankle at a show. While awaiting his recovery, the band got out to L.A. where a couple of planned shows had sold-out. One day, the band (minus Monroe) found themselves partying at Crüe member Vince Neil's house. Later in the day, the beer was gone and Neil decided to drive to a local store for more. Along for the ride was Hanoi Rock's drummer Razzle (Nicholas Dingley). On the way back from the store, Neil (driving drunk and speeding) lost control of his car and slammed into an oncoming car. Neil ended up being okay, but Razzle died of his injuries. The two people in the other car were seriously injured and experienced brain damage. Neil was arrested and convicted of a DUI and vehicular manslaughter. He served eighteen days in jail, had to pay $2.6 million in damages, and had to perform 200 hours of community service. The band was still able to complete their next album, Theater of Pain, and get it released mid-'85. Neil dedicated the album to Razzle.
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