back in 1986: Alice Cooper - "Teenage Frankenstein"

Alice Cooper

Constrictor

September 22, 1986

MCA

Alice Cooper reached great heights in the 1970s, but the first half of the 1980s, by his own account, was not a great period in his career and his personal life, despite continuing to make albums at the beginning of the new decade. However, "Teenage Frankenstein," the opening song from the 1986 return-to-form album "Constrictor," feels like Alice Cooper has found his footing and this time he means business big time.

Lyrically, "Teenage Frankenstein" feels like a misunderstood outsider at school and at home. It's not super serious, it's kind of fun and a bit quirky at the same time, like his patented horror-inspired music but with lots of melodies. It's like music that is sweet and scary at the same time.

The chorus of "Teenage Frankenstein" is so catchy. With a memorable hook—"I'm a teenage Frankenstein"—it makes you want to join in and sing, too. The melody is fun and straightforward and stays in your memory after it stops playing. In my opinion, the singing style in "Teenage Frankenstein" is totally his own. It's kind of rough and has an attitude, a certain edge, if you will. His voice sounds kind of snarling (like something got him angry, maybe!), so it grabs your attention. The music has a driving beat that keeps the song moving. It's like classic rock and heavy metal at their best, I think. It sounds like 1980s rock and roll heavy metal Americana. It sounds so 80s, in a good, fun way.

"Teenage Frankenstein" was a big comeback for Alice Cooper, I would say. It shows how good he is at hard rock and heavy metal, and it seems like he has the right personnel around him for this style. The lyrics are cool, the music is loud and fun, and Cooper’s singing is very energetic, isn't it? The song is a mix of old-school style, like Alice Cooper being himself again in the new decade. Great song, in my opinion.

I'm the kid on the block

With my head made of rock

And I ain't got nobody

I'm the state of the art

Got a brain a la carte

I make the babies cry

I ain't one of the crowd

I ain't one of the guys

They just avoid me

They run and they hide

Are my colors too bright

Are my eyes set too wide

I spend my whole life

Burning, turning

I'm a teenage Frankenstein

The local freak with the twisted mind

I'm a teenage Frankenstein

These ain't my hands

And these legs ain't mine

Oh no!

Got a synthetic face

Got some scars and a brace

My hands are rough and bloody

I walk into the night

Women faint at the sight

I ain't no cutie-pie

I can't walk in the day

I must walk in the night

Stay in the shadows

Stay out of the light

Are my shoulders too wide

Is my head screwed on tight

I spend my whole life

Burning, turning

I'm a teenage Frankenstein

The local freak with the twisted mind

I'm a teenage Frankenstein

These ain't my hands

And these legs ain't mine

Alice Cooper - Teenage Frankenstein

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