Clones (We’re All) (Flush The Fashion, 1980)

‘Flush The Fashion’ is Alice’s twelfth studio album. Released in 1980, it falls under an umbrella of genres from Hard Rock to New Wave. With Bob Ezrin busy working with Pink Floyd, Cars producer Roy Thomas Baker stepped in to work on the record.

With a mixture of sarcasm and some story-based songs, the album is still Alice Cooper-based, but it’s evident Alice and Baker were rebranding the character (and the music). The album cover features Alice’s name with ’80 written behind it. As if to say, “the 70s are over; let’s move on.”

One of the songs on the album, “Clones (We’re All),” has a science-fiction-based theme. It has an almost Dr. Who-like vibe.

It is also reminiscent of the 1996 film, Multiplicity, where Michael Keaton plays the role of Doug Kinney, a man looking to “simplify” his life by cloning himself. Like the film, the song addresses the issues ‘clones’ would deal with according to adjustment and status.

“Clones” was sort of like this… yeah, okay, we’ll use a synthesizer even though I’m kicking and dragging my feet into that. But for that song, it was perfect because it was about sci-fi. It was about a guy who had twelve of himself. I’m number three; I’m number five, number six. Number six is having a problem relating to his clone status. It was very mechanical and sort of a Gary Numan-type of thing. – Alice Cooper

In the song (and the above-listed movie), we find that through experience and circumstance, clones don’t feel the same as their originals. While this is only a theory and somewhat entertaining to ponder, isn’t a hidden message lurking in the plot?

Six is having problems
Adjusting to his clone status
Have to put him on a shelf (please don’t put me on the shelf)
All day long, we hear him crying so loud
I just wanna be myself
I just wanna be myself
I just wanna be myself
Be myself
Be myself

I’m all alone, so are we all
We destroy the government
We destroy time
No more problems on the way
I’m through doctor
We don’t need your kind
The other ones
Ugly ones
Stupid boys
Wrong ones

Interestingly enough, we’ve reached this point in society. Not from a science fiction aspect of cloning ourselves, but expecting everyone to think and feel the same way we do (and if, for some reason, they don’t – well, then they shouldn’t have the right to speak or express themselves).

Somehow, we’ve reached the edge of a dangerous cliff where we believe a fraction of society is right; and the other portion is wrong. However, even with that “clone” mentality, something’s off. We find people still disagree and argue in almost every group.

Human beings were NOT all designed the same. We are all different. That’s what is so beautiful about God’s Creation. We don’t, won’t, and shouldn’t always have to agree.

God’s Word has so much to say about this topic. Let’s split it into two parts: 1) The Body of Christ and 2) How to Handle Disagreements.

The Body of Christ
As mentioned above, humanity, by design, is diverse and unique. None of us share the exact same DNA, let alone the same fingerprints.

Did you know there is a 1 in 64 billion chance that someone may share the same fingerprint?  

Therefore, it’s imperative to notice the importance of our exceptional qualities – NONE of us are alike (and for good reason).

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now, if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. Where would the sense of hearing be if the whole body were an eye? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

There are several ways to look at these verses, but perhaps the best way is described in the NIV Life Application Bible summary section. Which reads: “We don’t lose our individual identities, but we have an overriding oneness in Christ.” We are different by design and for a purpose.

Accepting Christ does not automatically shape us into some identical cog in the “Christian” machine. Instead, we find our identities in Him and carry out specific roles and tasks according to His Will. Our particular interests and gifts are used for one common goal – to bring His Kingdom Here On Earth.

As we navigate through our spiritual journeys with Christ, we must be diligent, prayerful, and mindful of the role He has asked us to play. We should also know that someone else’s part may not seem useful or relevant to us, but God calls each of us according to His purpose, not ours.

Remember 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and respect the “individual identities” others have been asked to fulfill – together, we as a body – working as one – can accomplish so much more (all while bringing Him Glory and Honor).

How to Handle Disagreements
Interestingly enough, differences often bring about disagreements – even within the body of Christ. Perhaps the best example of this can be found in the book of Acts.

“And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” – Acts 15:36-41

Long story short, in Acts 13:13, John (Mark) left Paul and Barnabas in Perga to return to Jerusalem. No reason is given for the split, but as the above verses in Acts 15 suggest, Paul was uncomfortable with the situation or giving John (Mark) another task.

It’s important to note that this wasn’t a minor altercation; it was “a sharp disagreement.” Many articles, sermons, and discussions have arisen based on these verses and those relationships.

However, instead of focusing on who was right and wrong, let’s look at some other critical things to take away from Acts 15:36-41.

Taking sides.
In many cases (primarily where vitriol and significant differences of opinion are concerned), it’s okay not to side with one person over another. We aren’t asked to have it all figured out.

It’s often best to commit the issue to the Lord and allow His Will to unfold (Phil 3:15). Pray and believe that He will change hearts and minds instead of using arguments and heated exchange.

It’s okay to disagree.
If some of God’s greatest missionaries didn’t always agree, why do we expect today’s believers to do so?

We must focus not on disagreements and petty differences but instead have faith in the design – knowing that, like a puzzle, the whole picture is not always evident through one piece. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10).

We see many things differently, and part of our journeys lead us on different paths yet to the same goal.

C.S. Lewis perhaps said it best: “If grace perfects nature, it must expand all our natures into the full richness of the diversity which God intended when He made them, and Heaven will display far more variety than Hell.”

Love abounds.
Even through significant differences and separation, Paul still refers to Barnabas as an apostle of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:5-6), and Paul calls upon us to pray for “all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

Later in the New Testament, we find Paul calling upon John (Mark) for help (2 Timothy 4:11). The whole story is never completely covered in scripture, but it’s obvious Paul has resolved his differences with John (Mark).

Looking at this personally, we are on a journey in this life; we can’t just write others off and be unwilling to settle things. We must remain open to the fact that Love surpasses all knowledge (Ephesians 3:19).

Wrapping up this week’s post, we are all called according to His Purpose (Romans 8:28), and no walk is identical. It takes trust, obedience, and faithfulness to carry out His Will in our lives. It also means that our primary focus must remain on our journey with Him, not others or what they think of us (Galatians 1:10).

With all of this being said, we can lovingly agree to disagree. It’s OKAY (and healthy) to see things differently and approach the Word of God from multiple angles. Truth is truth, and if Christ is the Cornerstone of our faith, then the Holy Spirit abides in us all.

As long as God’s Word isn’t distorted, the vessel or method shouldn’t be of any concern. Cling to Him and not to the words of men. God’s message can and will be displayed through our unique gifts and callings. We find the strength of unity through Him in the diversity with which He created us.

In conclusion, “Clones (We’re All)” and Flush The Fashion embraced the “new waves” of the ‘80s. The music, branding, and image of Alice changed with this record.

There was no concept; some songs, including “Clones (We’re All),” didn’t feature Alice as a writer, and some adverts included the words “Alice Cooper Is Fed Up.” This new ‘80s Alice was hell-bent on flushing away the conventional and delivering a new form of shock.

At this point, the character was consuming the man. The next few years would prove difficult, and Alice would soon face life-threatening events. Those events would ultimately bring him healing, restoration, and salvation through His Lord, Jesus Christ.

Alice’s journey was taking a dark turn but would lead him straight to the LIGHT.

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday.

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ With Alice!