Alice Cooper

Released: April 28, 1980

Songwriter: Alice Cooper Davey Johnstone Fred Mandel

Producer: Roy Thomas Baker

Do a show, save a child
Raise a million bucks that'll last a while
Fight at parties buy a horse
Lose a couple win that big divorce

I wanna be in the headlines
Anything to be in the headlines

Saw my chance, I need a break
Took the biggest float in the rose parade
I Got jailed, no disgrace
A hundred million people saw my face

Call a conference with the press
Announce my marriage plans in a wedding dress
Climb a building at six-below
On New Years Eve without a stitch of clothes

I wanna be in the headlines
Anything to be in the headlines
As long as they spell my name right
I hope that they catch my best side

I popped out from a cake
At the president's ball what a big mistake
Fifty guns aimed at me
I was nearly killed but what publicity
Nominated, something big
Stole the hottest scene says the Globe and Tribe
Porno movie comes to light
But I was starving then so that's all right

I wanna be in the headlines
Anything to be in the headlines

As long as they spell my name right
I hope they catch my best side
Keep my sidewalk star status bright
Feel free to walk on me tonight
(Just don't spit on me)

Alice Cooper is the stage name and ‘fun villain’ character of Vincent Furnier. Cooper became the target of parents and ministers for his dark lyrics and gory theatrical performances that earned him the title Godfather of Shock Rock. Despite once claiming the name was conjured from a ouija board that told him he’s the reincarnation of a 17th century witch, Cooper laughs the topic off with flippant answers like “It was either a Scrabble board or a bowl of alphabet soup” and “I didn’t want a name like Iron Butterfly or Black Sabbath. I wanted it to be something your aunt might be called.”

The band Alice Cooper was originally signed by Frank Zappa to his own record label. Their first notoriety came when Cooper tossed a wayward chicken (possibly arranged by long-time manager Shep Gordon) into the crowd, who then tore it apart at the 1969 Toronto Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Festival. Newspapers claimed he’d bit the bird’s head off and drank its blood. Zappa advised them to not deny the story and Cooper used it as inspiration to make his character darker.

The band’s teaming with producer Bob Ezrin for their third album Love It To Death led to their US breakthrough with a top 30 hit “I’m Eighteen” in early 1971. By then, the band was already infamous for their stage show, which had escalated into simulated torture and executions. That same year, Killer was released with its two singles “Under My Wheels” and “Be My Lover” finding moderate US success, and both albums being certified gold the following year.

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