1989 - September: Mötley Crüe "Dr. Feelgood"

What the Riff?!?

It is a little surprising that we have gotten this far into the podcast without featuring an album by Mötley Crüe. This is a group that practically defined the hair metal genre of the mid to late-80's. The band formed in 1981 in Hollywood, and featured both a party-oriented lifestyle and an androgynous look. The core and classic members of the band were Nikki Sixx on bass and keyboards, Mick Mars on lead guitar and backing vocals, Tommy Lee on drums and backing vocals, and Vince Neil as front man. Many other musicians would be brought in for sessions, and the group itself would change personnel over the years.

However, the classic lineup was still in place for their fifth studio album, Dr. Feelgood. At the time, the group was facing conflicts that caused Producer Bob Rock to have each member record their parts separately. This was also the first album recorded after the group started a quest to get sober and go through rehab. Additionally, recording took place in Vancouver, getting the band out of the familiar (and seductive) L.A. scene.

The result of these sessions was impressive. Dr. Feelgood was the groups most successful album to date, and went to the top of the Billboard 200 album chart, the only Crüe album to do so. It was also reviewed positively by critics, receiving the award for "Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album of the Year" at the American Music Awards in 1991.

Friend of the show Greg Lyon sits in for Bruce and brings us this excellent glam metal album of the late 80's for this week's podcast.

Dr. Feelgood
This title track peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Mötley Crüe's most successful single to date. The song about a drug dealer chronicles the connection between LA Rock and drug use. It has an infectious funky riff and a more sophisticated production which departs from earlier Mötley Crüe efforts.

Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
The softer approach of this power ballad song are betrayed by its adolescent lyrics. Bassist Nikki Sixx was inspired by a movie line to make this sarcastic song. It's tongue in cheek lyrics and reference to earlier Crüe songs make it a favorite at their live shows. like fire, don't you ever take my name in vain."

Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)
This fifth single released from the album tells a comedic story of a boy meeting two girls, and by the end of the song the boy has been passed over while the two girls end up together. Many of Mötley Crüe's songs had lighter, humorous lyrics, which contributed to their appeal.

Kickstart My Heart
Do not play this song when driving through a speed trap! The song is not about a relationship, but about Nikki Sixx's heroin overdose. Sixx was clinically dead, requiring the paramedic to inject adrenaline into his heart to get it beating again. This single reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Welcome Home by Willie Nelson (from the motion picture “Welcome Home”)
This film starred Kris Kristofferson as a Vietnam War vet returning to his family after a 20-year absence.

STAFF PICKS:

New Orleans Is Sinking by the Tragically Hip
Wayne turns to the college rock genre to start off our staff picks. The Tragically Hip is better known in their native Canada than in the US, but their music is well worth a listen. This song was recorded in Memphis, and has a delta blues feel, almost rockabilly. The song was temporarily removed from radio playlists after hurricane Katrina broke the levies and flooded New Orleans.

Wait for You by Bonham
If you think that this song sounds like Led Zeppelin, you aren't the only one. Rob features Jason Bonham's band. Jason Bonham was the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Jason Bonham has a playing style very similar to his father, and recruited Daniel McMaster to the band on vocals - a singer with a sound very similar to Zeppelin front man Robert Palmer. This is the main single from the debut album, "The Disregard of Timekeeping."

Poison by Alice Cooper
Lynch brings us a song from Cooper's eighteenth album, "Trash." This song was a major comeback single for Cooper, his first top 10 single in the US in 12 years. The song tells the story of a guy entrapped by a girl that he knows is wrong for him, but also someone he can't let go.

Down Boys by Warrant
Greg finishes the staff picks with another hair metal band. This is the debut single from Warrant's debut album, "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich." It reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Stand On It by Jeff Beck with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas
We close out with a guitar instrumental from guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck, accompanied by drummer Terry Bozzio and keyboardist Tony Hymas.

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