Pass The Gun Around (DaDa, 1983)

Alice’s 8th solo album, DaDa, was released in 1983. The last of three (some say four) albums referred to as the “blackout” albums – it winds up being his final album for Warner Bros. Records.

The cover art is based on a painting by surrealist artist Salvador Dali, and the album’s name references Dadaism, an early 20th-century European avant-garde art movement. However, the LP also focuses on the word “Dada” – with a child or infant calling for their father.

One of the darkest albums ever recorded, DaDa’s concept focuses mainly on mental illness. Various songs point to scenarios and characters going insane or trapped in their fantasies, nightmares, or hallucinations.

Quite honestly, the songs off this album are fascinating. Each song is its own narrative – multiple stories can be derived from some of them. They are open books and can be read or interpreted in many different ways.

Alice admits he doesn’t necessarily remember or know much about the “blackout” albums.

“I don’t remember recording them; I don’t remember touring with them…if there was a time in my life that I was on automatic pilot, that was it.” – Alice Cooper

As the album plays out, the listener is left asking several questions.

Are these songs based on real-life experiences? Do some songs represent multiple personalities or characters locked away in a person’s psyche? Is this the story of an adult reverting to a child-like state?

In this post, we will be focusing on the final track, “Pass The Gun Around.” The song tells the tale of Sonny, a man who has reached the end of his rope. There are no specifics linked to what the character has done, but it’s hard not to see parallels between Alice and Sonny during this period in Alice’s life.

In hindsight, it’s tough to think about what Alice, his family, friends, and colleagues were going through. But, thankfully, Alice is still around today to share his story and his walk with others. What a testimony to God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace – a story of Hope, Grit, and Perseverance.

As we reference this song, think about the times in your life when it seems all hope was lost – times when you felt as if nothing would ever go your way. All you wanted was a break – an escape – a way out.

It was as if your sins had finally caught up with you, and all guns were pointed at you – ready to take that final shot.

Have you ever been that deep? That far gone?

Life is tough. We live in a fallen world populated by fallen people – including ourselves. There’s no question that others will hurt us, and we will also hurt others during our journey here. Being hurt is part of the human experience. It’s part of this life.

How do we react when we are hurt? Do we fall back into isolation? Do we become paralyzed by fear and rejection?

Compounded hurt and frustration can lead to some very dark thoughts and places – things that consume us and alter our minds. The further and further we slip, the more lies we believe about ourselves – loser, cheater, fraud, worthless, unlovable, etc. – this is what we begin to think about who and what we are.

We start to replace God’s Word with lies from the enemy instead. As a result, we become ensnared – held captive by our actions and thoughts, instead of embracing the freedom our Heavenly Father freely gives.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. – 1 Thessalonians 5:15

There’s a right and wrong way to handle hurt. Therefore, we should learn how to manage our distress as taught by our Loving Father.

Maybe the best way to explain this is by using the following talking points: 1) How to move forward when we hurt others, 2) How to move forward when others hurt us, and 3) How and when to confront others about our hurt.

How To Move Forward When We Hurt Others.
We can sometimes be the problem, the one hurting someone else, the one with a “gun” pointed at us. We may even deserve what’s coming to us. How we treat others is often linked to our relationship with the Lord.

Transformation is a never-ending process. However, one of the essential elements for growth and maturity in Christ is a humble heart. The wisdom and courage to know and admit when we are wrong.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24

In the verses listed above, we are reminded that damaged relationships can hamper our relationship with God. It’s hypocritical for us to claim we Love God while allowing grievances with others to fester. Asking others for their forgiveness is a form of love.

The Bible goes on to ask a sincere question of us. Paraphrasing 1 John 4:20, If we aren’t willing to love our brothers and sisters, whom we see and interact with, how can we honestly claim to love God, whom we’ve never seen?

The real test of our love for God is found in how we treat others – His creation made in His image.

How To Move Forward When Others Hurt Us.
This one seems easy, right? This scenario has you as the “good guy” holding the “gun” – ready to pull the hypothetical trigger. Ready to call the other person out and punish them.

After all, they are the ones that committed the crime or have sinned against us. They deserve what’s coming to them, right? If it were only that easy. Unfortunately, it’s not.

Human nature is not our Heavenly Father’s nature. We are asked, by Him, to go against the grain – against our primal instincts. We are asked to rely on His Spirit and His Word rather than our feeble minds. With that being said, revenge and anger do not free us – forgiveness frees us.

“To this, you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him, who judges justly.” – 1 Peter 2:21-23

 What? Seriously? That’s the example we’ve been given? Turn the other cheek? Not retaliate? Yep, that’s what it says and means. Christ died for all humanity. He was guiltless.

When Christ was threatened, He expressed no threats in return. When He was despised, He instead offered Love. Yet, even with no sin, He took the blame. Following His lead, we are asked to do the same.

This is a harsh lesson to learn, but it’s an amazing one. When faced with such trials, we must remember our place. We must not forget that our vindication comes from the Lord, not from the flesh (Isaiah 54:17).

Instead of seeking confrontation, we are asked to holster our emotions and learn to wait upon Him. Psalm 62:1 reads, “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him alone is my salvation.”

As we seek Him in silence, it’s in those moments that we often grow and mature the most. The Holy Spirit cultivates the heart leaving room for forgiveness and acceptance (instead of bitterness and resentment).

Where harsh words would have deepened the hurt, patience, and guidance from the Spirit heal the wound with His Love.

Confrontation.

There are times when confrontation may still be the answer. However, it’s a last resort, and it takes effort, patience, and hard work (if it is to be done correctly).

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:5

Time alone in silence is still needed before any difficult discussions take place. We must examine ourselves before confronting others – a humble heart is necessary. A heart cooperating with the proper approach is paramount.

Confronting someone takes the right mindset, the right tone, and the right words. It’s territory that we should tread lightly. We must realize our faults and sins are just as great as the other person’s.

It only takes a single speck of disingenuous contact to derail the healing process. Likewise, the wrong words, improper attitude, or other nonverbal actions could lead to further resentment between the parties involved – which should never be the intention.

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1

If there is even the slightest bit of contempt, a “look what you’ve done” or “I wouldn’t have done things that way” attitude, a conversation is not the proper action. If things go awry, you must be able to discern from the Spirit the appropriate words and demeanor to use.

If that’s not possible, silence is still the better option. Your goal should be to say something kind and uplifting. If that can’t be done, you should say nothing at all (Ephesians 4:29-31). The bottom line is that discernment and caution are the keys to handling any confrontation.

Wrapping up this week’s post, this song is a tough one. Most likely, we’ve been on both sides of the gun in our lifetime. We’ve either been in the cross-hairs of someone we’ve wronged or we’ve been ready to fire (hypothetically) at someone that has hurt us.

The answer to both scenarios relies again on us believing and knowing that the Love of Christ is the common denominator in all of life’s decisions and struggles. It’s cliché to say “What Would Jesus Do,” yet the premise holds massive amounts of water.

What would He do? Jesus would often spend time praying and urging His disciples to do the same. His example leads us to a better understanding of what it takes to grow more in tune with His Spirit. It’s in those quiet moments through prayer that we find His Will and our reward (Matthew 6:6).

In conclusion, “Pass The Gun Around” is a powerful song. It stops the listener dead in their tracks. It forces them to think about anyone pointing proverbial guns of fault and decree towards them – ready to fire that shot. And on the flip side, it also forces us to look at those we may be pointing a gun of judgment and blame towards.

So, what do we take away from this? How can we overcome this recurring obstacle?

Instead of “pass(ing) the gun around,” pass it to God. We are to be like Christ. He came not to judge the world but save the world (John 3:17). And with that, we are called to do the same. To show the world Him and His Spirit through us – giving “everyone a shot” of His Love.

SIDE NOTE: In two previous discussions (“Going Home” and “My God”), it was noted that Alice ended both “Alice Cooper Goes To Hell” and “Lace and Whiskey” with songs that were “prodigal” in nature or with a feeling of spiritual awakening.

“Pass The Gun Around” subtly does this as well, but with one word, “Dada.” As if Alice is crying out to his father – His Heavenly Father.

 

If anyone reading this post has any thoughts of self-harm or suicide…
Seek out help immediately, dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital…
There is help! Ask for it! You deserve it!

 

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

In the meantime, Keep walkin’ in Faith and rockin’ with Alice!