Alice Cooper

Released: February 26, 2021

Songwriter: Alice Cooper Bob Ezrin Wayne Kramer

Producer: Bob Ezrin

I got no shame, I ain't to blame, I got no memory
I got no conscience on my shoulder there to bother me
I'm on a trip without a script, into oblivion
I guess that's just the way I like to play to have some fun
I don't need a toke or have a smoke to try to clear my head
Ain't no use, already loose when I roll out of bed

I got no future, got not past, got no eternity
Don't need to know just gotta go, that's my reality
I'm all alone, I got no phone, I don't communicate
I got no pace, ain't in the race, so I'm never late
Don't need to cook or read a book, don't need to wash or shave
See I am free to be just me, I'm Independence Dave

He's Dave, Independence Dave
He's Dave, Independence Dave
He's Dave, Independence Dave

I got a girl, she's just a pearl from down in St. Clair Shore
But, there's a brother of another knockin' down my door
I got some money from a honey livin' way downtown
And there's this one who's got a gun, that's tryin' to hunt me down

I try to love 'em all, but I ain't no one's slave
'Cause when the rubber hits the road, I'm Independence Dave
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)

There's two subpoenas, they're so mean as to suggest that I'm
The major perpetrator of a minor crime
They got my name on their claim, but anyone could see
Since I'm never anywhere, it clearly wasn't me
It's not that I'm so innocent or well-behaved
It's just that I'm the one and only Independence Dave

Woo!
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
Woo!
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
He's Dave, Independence Dave (Whoa)
Woo!

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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Independence DaveAlice Cooper

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