The Musician Insight

How it all began

No More Mr.Nice Guy was written by Alice Cooper and Michael Bruce (who also plays rhythm guitar on this track) around 1972.

Produced by Bob Ezrin (who also worked with David Gilmour and Aerosmith amongst others), the song is a response to critics from Cooper mother’s church group. Indeed, the singer is known for his provocative and dark stage performances, which weren’t received well in this case. That criticism is referenced in the bridge of the song: “I went to church incognito”.

A record denouncing prejudice

Appearing on Billion Dollar Babies (1973), No More Mr.Nice Guy opens with Cooper singing: “I used to be such a sweet, sweet thing till they got a hold of me”, immediately mocking any criticism coming his way. He continues on, by confessing on his social circle and the distance his shocking image created between him and his loved ones: “I got no friends ‘cause they read the papers, they can’t be seen, with me”. Furthermore, this sentence also a denunciation  of prejudice: by the media painting him as a “villain”, his immediately leave, putting him aside by fear of what society might think.

Nevertheless, No More Mr.Nice Guy is full of humor, with the singer declaring that “my dog bit me on the leg today, my cat clawed my eyes”, playing on the notion of bad luck.

The bridge is a direct reference to reality, with the description of Cooper going into a church and getting punched by the reverend. We also have once more, the theme of casting aside people due to their differences, with mentions of his parents, now obliged to hide themselves (“Ma’s been thrown out of her social circle and dad has to hide”).

All in all, No More Mr.Nice Guy is an enlightening song, teaching us about the media’s influence and warning us about our own prejudices.

Photo source: http://www.livenation.fr