Alice Cooper

Released: June 25, 1969

Songwriter: Neal Smith Michael Bruce Glen Buxton Dennis Dunaway Alice Cooper

Producer: Frank Zappa Herb Cohen Ian Underwood Alice Cooper

But over in a land that's in my backyard
There're some people who succeed, they don't try hard
Well, they found a way to live with ease
By eating from the bush instead of the trees

Apple bush, apple tree
Path to eternity
Find you a path and you follow the call

Apple bush, apple tree
Back to eternity
Cut you a path with a chance you may fall

Well, over in a corner, standing there
Telling my house that they haven't a single care
But my house does not listen, it's got a path of it's own
Yet the bush and a tree, never leave it alone

Apple bush, apple tree
Back to eternity
Find you a path and you follow the call

Apple bush, apple tree
Back to eternity
Cut you a path with a chance you may fall

Someday like my house you're going to choose too
If you cut this new path, well, the old one will do
And you live with the people who live with ease
The red apple bush and the blue apple trees

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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Pretties for You

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Pretties for You (1969)

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Pretties for You