On the day though, Alice won out as I was taken by the album cover, (not the last time this would happen) and the thrill of buying an album from someone on the edge of public decency at the time.
So has it stood the test of time in the intervening 50 plus years?
As I sit here listening to the album during my lunch break, I can’t think of another opening track that was made for this blog and everything me and Bronagh are hoping to achieve with our A to Z Musical tour.
Hello! Hooray! Let the show begin
I’ve been ready
Hello! Hooray! Let the lights grow dim
I’ve been ready
Ready as this audience that’s coming here to dream
Loving every second, every moment, every scream
I’ve been waiting so long to sing my song
And I’ve been waiting so long for this thing to come
On taking my first slice of 12″ vinyl home to Stevenston to play on the old Phillips portable record player we had, I took what I thought was the sensible option of playing side 2 first, as the second track on side 1, Raped and Freezin’ might have been a bit close to the bone for my auld ma.
The third track Elected got to No.4 in the UK singles in 1972 and was one of four hit singles to be released. When you read the final lines of the song you have to ask yourself what has changed in the intervening 50 years. Not a lot, with an even scarier proposition to become Elected this November.
I know we have problems,
We got problems right here in Central City,
We have problems on the North, South, East and West,
New York City, Saint Louis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago,
Everybody has problems,
And personally, I don’t care.
The album title provides us with Track 4 and, like many of the tracks here, its got its share of great guitar playing and a guest appearance by Maryhill lad, Donovan, supplying vocals too.
While the hit singles drew me to the album, once played, a couple of tracks stood out for me, and remain two of my favourite Alice Cooper songs across all his recording output.
The first is the closing track of side 1, Unfinished Sweet. Maybe it was the horrible memories of visiting the dentist as a young lad, the James Bond theme sample or the extended guitar solos. Whatever the reason, I’d still happily listen to this in isolation any day of the week, even on a dentist’s chair.
Side two begins with another hit single, No More Mr. Nice Guy. Probably the general consensus of the older generation behind us at the time was summed up in a couple of lines here
No more Mister Nice Guy,
They say he’s sick, he’s obscene.
It seemed ironic to me years later that I could go to my auld ma and hear Alice blaring out of the radio. Because it was on Radio 2 that was alright though!!
The inverted snob in me has a fondness for Generation Landslide, if for no other reason that it pokes two fingers up at the monied people of this world, but maybe it’s just a streak of hidden jealousy. Hopefully anyone that knows me will dispel themselves quickly of that thought.
Sick Things and Mary Ann are probably the weakest songs on the album for me. Though maybe album fillers that don’t add much to the rest of the tracks here, they’re still decent enough songs benefitting from the great production that went with the rest of the album.
And so to my favourite Alice Cooper song, that closes the album and got me sin binned to my bedroom for all, and she really meant all, future albums I brought into the house. It would be fair to say that Mary Jack did not like one bit of……
…. I Love the Dead. As disturbing as the subject matter is, the track boasts some great playing by the band and a truly over the top performance by Alice himself. Maybe it was a case of No More Mr. Nice Guy or even Sick Things.
For me, “Billion Dollar Babies” is simply a fantastic album of rock ‘n’ roll theatre, blending stylish musicianship from a band playing at the top of their game ,with theatrical flair and darkly comedic lyrics.
After 50 years, and yes I will be buying the Deluxe Anniversary Album!, it stands as a testament to Alice Cooper’s vision and creativity, as well as the band’s musical prowess.
This is an album for the fans of rock music, it’s genuinely an essential listen that captures the spirit of an era, while remaining timeless in its appeal and influence.
Is it over the top? Oh yes. Would Alice, or any other artist, get away with releasing an album with similar topics and themes today? Probably not, and certainly not sure the above photo would have passed the Moral Police test.
All comments welcome so that we can improve what we are publishing!