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Alice Cooper’s Top 10
Let’s clear up one thing right away. Alice Cooper is the name of the band AND its lead singer. Alice Cooper the band – lead guitarist Glen Buxton (who passed away 10/19/97), rhythm guitarist Mike Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith – backed Alice Cooper, the singer.
Possessing a knack for cranking out third rate covers of the Rolling Stones, The Who and Yardbirds the band rather quickly evolve into the founders of Shock Rock. From an Ouija board came the name Alice Cooper. Or so the story goes.
Note: Promo clips/music videos were a rarity when Alice Cooper emerged in the early 70s. Much of the video comes from television appearances on variety/music shows or from later concert footage.
The following are the Top 10 studio hits plus ‘live’ renditions because Alice Cooper was very much a live act.
#10. Hello Hooray
Written by Rolf Kempf, the song was first recorded by Judy Collins in ’68. Five years later, Cooper released the most famous rendition on their ’73 album “Billion Dollar Babies.” The Alice Cooper version reached #35 on the Billboard chart.
Hello Hooray Original
Hello Hooray Live
#9. Is It My Body
Composed by the band, the song was the B-side to the “I’m Eighteen” single.
The song explores themes of identity, self-worth, and the search for genuine connection in relationship and questions whether love is based on superficial attributes or deeper, intrinsic qualities.
Is It My Body Original
Is It My Body Live
#8. Public Animal #9
Written by Alice Cooper and guitarist Michael Bruce, the track from “School’s Out” has themes of rebellion, nonconformity, and the challenges of the education system. For obvious reasons it became a fan favorite.
Public Animal #9 Original
Public Animal #9 Live
#7. Be My Lover
Written by Bruce, the song’s lyrics are semi-autobiographical, coming from the perspective of a musician (Bruce) trying to seduce a woman when she “asked me why the singer’s name was Alice.”
Be My Lover Original
Be My Lover Live Footage
#6. I’m Eighteen
The band’s first Top 40 success—peaking at #21—convinced Warner Records that Alice Cooper had the commercial potential which led to the release of the album “Love It To Death.”
I’m Eighteen
I’m Eighteen
#5. Billion Dollar Babies
It was the title track of the band’s sixth studio effort which topped the Billboard Album Chart. Alice Cooper’s original line-up only produced one more album, “Muscle Of Love,” before their singer went solo.
Billion Dollar Babies Original
Billion Dollar Babies Live
#4. No More Mr. Nice Guy
Released in 1973 as a single, it too was off “Billion Dollars Babies” and helped the album reach #1 1 in both the U.S. and U.K.
Cooper wrote the lyrics about the reactions of his mother’s church group to his stage performances, saying that there were worse things that he could do with his life and that the “gloves were off now.”
No More Mr. Nice Guy Original
No More Mr. Nice Guy Live
#3. Elected
The song was a reworked version of their debut single, “Reflected.” According to frontman Alice, Joey Ramone acknowledged the similarity between “Elected” and The Ramones “I Want To Be Sedated.”
Elected Original
#2. School’s Out
Alice Cooper’s biggest international hit and signature song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
When asked what the best three minutes of his life were Cooper mentioned the last day of school “when you’re sitting there and it’s like a slow fuse burning.” I said, ‘If we can catch that three-minutes in a song, it’s going to be so big.” Guitarist Glen Buxton created the song’s opening riff.
School’s Out Original
School’s Out Live
#1. Under My Wheels
Originally released on the group’s “Killer” album in 1971, the song was written by guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and producer Bob Ezrin. It was the set’s lead single and the group’s first track to ever land on the Billboard Hot 100 (#59).
While the song cams nowhere near the Top 40 it was a perfect introduction to the band’s Hard Rock sound and twisted sense of humor.
Under My Wheels Original
Under My Wheels Live
The Original Alice Cooper Band:
Vincent Furnier (a.k.a. Alice Cooper) – Vocals,
Glen Buxton – Lead Guitar (died 1997)
Nichael Bruce – Rhythm Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
Dennis Dunaway – Bass/Backing Vocals
Neal Smith – Drums/Backing Vocals
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