When Tesla released their acoustic-driven cover of ‘Signs’ in 1990, they weren’t just reviving a forgotten 1971 hit—they were redefining themselves and helping launch the MTV Unplugged era before it officially existed. Originally written and performed by the Five Man Electrical Band, ‘Signs’ was a protest folk-rock song criticizing judgment, conformity, and the arbitrary rules […]
When Mötley CrĂĽe released ‘Home Sweet Home’ in 1985, it marked a dramatic shift in how fans and critics viewed the band. Known for their wild partying, dangerous theatrics, and hard-edged metal anthems, the CrĂĽe had never been associated with heartfelt sentiment—until they unveiled this now-iconic power ballad on their album Theatre of Pain. The […]
When Extreme crafted their landmark 1990 album Extreme II: Pornograffitti, they were intent on proving they were more than just another hard rock band riding the late-’80s wave. The album was a bold concept piece—half social commentary, half rock opera—blending funk metal, pop hooks, acoustic balladry, and virtuosic musicianship. Recorded primarily at Scream Studios in […]
When Mötley CrĂĽe roared into 1987 with Girls, Girls, Girls, the band was already notorious for pushing excess to the limit—but nothing captured their wild-eyed swagger quite like the album’s title track. The project came at a turbulent time. After the polished glam-metal sound of Theatre of Pain, the band felt boxed in and wanted […]
When Mötley CrĂĽe 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 […]
When Tesla set out to create The Great Radio Controversy in 1988, they aimed to build on the honest, hard-working rock identity they had established with Mechanical Resonance. The album’s title referenced the long-running debate over who truly invented radio—Nikola Tesla or Guglielmo Marconi. For the band, it symbolized creativity, truth, and the idea that […]
When Mötley CrĂĽe unleashed ‘Looks That Kill’ in early 1984, they were riding the momentum of a band on the verge of something massive. The track was one of the standout songs on their second album, Shout at the Devil, a record that marked their transformation from gritty Sunset Strip upstarts into full-blown heavy metal […]
When Extreme stepped into the studio in 1990 to record Extreme II: Pornograffitti, they were still trying to define themselves in a crowded hard-rock landscape. The album itself was ambitious—part concept record, part musical playground. It blended funk-metal, sharp-edged rock, blistering guitar heroics, and thoughtful social commentary. Tracks like ‘Get the Funk Out,’ ‘Decadence Dance,’ […]
Released in 1986 on Tesla’s debut album Mechanical Resonance, ‘Modern Day Cowboy’ quickly became one of the band’s most distinctive tracks. Written by guitarist Frank Hannon and vocalist Jeff Keith, the song blends hard rock riffs with storytelling and social commentary—a combination that set Tesla apart from many of their glam-metal contemporaries. The song’s lyrics […]
Released in 1989 on the band’s blockbuster album Dr. Feelgood, Mötley CrĂĽe’s ‘Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)’ stands as one of their most melodic and emotionally grounded songs. Written by Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars, it captures the band at a rare moment of clarity, discipline, and creative focus. The title line—an old […]
When Peter Gabriel released ‘Shock the Monkey’ in 1982, he was stepping deeper into a bold, experimental phase that pushed the boundaries of what pop and rock music could be. The song, featured on his fourth self-titled album—commonly known as Security—became his first U.S. Top 40 hit and introduced mainstream audiences to his unique blend […]
Thanksgiving has a way of slowing the world down—or at least nudging us to pause long enough to notice the things we might overlook in the rush of everyday life. As the table fills with familiar dishes and voices echo through the house, it becomes easier to see just how much there is to be […]