Released: November 1, 1971

Songwriter: Michael Bruce

Producer: Jack Richardson Bob Ezrin

[Verse 1]
Well, I'm running through the world with a gun in my back
Trying to catch a ride in a Cadillac
Thought that I was living, but you can't really tell
Been trying to get away from that success smell

[Verse 2]
You know, I need a houseboat and I need a plane
I need a butler and a trip to Spain
I need everything the world owes me
I tell that to myself and I agree

[Chorus]
I'm caught in a dream; so what
You don't know what I'm going through
I'm right in between so I'll
I'll just play along with you

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Well I'm running through the world with a gun in my back
Trying to catch a ride in that Cadillac
Thought I was living but you can't ever tell
What I thought was Heaven turned out to be Hell

Whoa whoa, when you see me with a smile on my face
Whoa whoa then you'll know I'm a mental case
Whoa whoa whoa, whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa

[Guitar Solo]

[Chorus]
I'm caught in a dream; so what
You don't know what I'm going through
I'm right in between so I'll
I'll just play along with you

[Guitar Solo]

Alice Cooper

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.