Alice Cooper

Released: August 25, 1982

Songwriter: Erik Scott Billy Steele John Nitzinger Alice Cooper

Producer: Erik Scott Alice Cooper

Zorro lies dying
In the Spanish sun
All the women crying
Especially the pretty ones
He drew his sword...
They came with guns

Stealing is stealing
I've done lots of that
Now reach into my pocket, padre
Hide this gold pouch in your hat
And let the skinny peons
Feed upon the fat
It was liberated
From some aristocrat, eh?

So pray for him father
You need not bother
'Cause I am the fox
And I go where I want
If heaven ignores me
The devil adores me
Yes, I am the fox
And I go where I want

Padre, don't it seem
Hundred years ago
Before I donned the mask
I'm Don Diego
Now there's only minutes left
For the cunning El Zorro
Go fetch my sword... my horse
I'll ride out death Diablo

So pray for him father
You need not bother
'Cause I am the fox
And I go where I want
If heaven ignores me
The devil adores me
I am the fox
And I go where I want

Death you're running closer
And I can't keep this pace
Sir, I'm disadvantaged
And should I lose this race
Hand to me your deadliest wine
I'll give you back a taste
Before you burn your mark on me
I'll carve mine in your face

So pray for him, father
You need not bother
'Cause I am the fox
And I go where I want
When Satan annoys me
Then heaven employs me
'Cause I am the fox
And I go where I want to go
El Zorro

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.

more tracks from the album

Zipper Catches Skin

From the album

Zipper Catches Skin (1982)

Alice Cooper popular songs

Zorro’s AscentAlice Cooper

Alice Cooper

Zipper Catches Skin