ROCK MOMENT – Motley Crue ‘Smokin’ In The Boys Room’
When Mötley Crüe decided to record ‘Smokin’ in the Boys Room,’ they weren’t just cutting a cover—they were making a strategic move that would help pull the band through one of the most chaotic periods of their early career. The song, originally recorded by Brownsville Station in 1973, had been a teenage rebellion anthem long before the Crüe got their hands on it. But what the band did in 1985 was take that raw spirit and funnel it through the snarling, metallic edge of their Theatre of Pain album.
The decision came at a precarious time. Vince Neil had recently been involved in the tragic car accident that resulted in the death of Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle, and the band was struggling to regain its creative footing. Their management and record label were eager for a hit—something familiar, catchy, and radio-friendly that could re-establish momentum. Nikki Sixx, always with an eye for attitude-driven rock, suggested the Brownsville Station classic, and the band quickly locked into the idea.
Recording the track at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, Mötley Crüe brought in producer Tom Werman, who helped them craft a punchier, more polished version that still carried all the swagger of delinquent school-hall mischief. Mick Mars pushed the guitar riffs into a heavier territory, while Tommy Lee added thick, stomping rhythms that gave the song new muscle. Vince Neil’s raspy, mischievous delivery fit the rebellious theme perfectly—almost as if he were born to sing it.
The accompanying music video, featuring a high-school setting and plenty of tongue-in-cheek attitude, became an MTV staple. It introduced a new generation to the song, giving Mötley Crüe their biggest hit from Theatre of Pain and proving that even in their most turbulent moments, the band could take an old classic, twist it in leather and glam metal, and make it unmistakably their own.
