Desperado (Killer, 1971)

In late 1971, Alice Cooper (the band) released their fourth studio LP, Killer. Reaching #21 on the Billboard 200, the record continued to propel the group forward into the limelight of the music world.

The LP dishes up classics that are often performed some 50+ years later. Killer is definitive Classic Rock and one of the most notorious records of the 70s – raw and unapologetic.

“(For Killer) we had this concept: we were going to make every song about a different killer, and “Desperado” was the gunslinger and “Halo of Flies” had the James Bond/License To Kill guy and whatnot.” – Dennis Dunaway, the original bassist for Alice Cooper

“Desperado,” the final track on side one of the LP, explores the thoughts and actions of society’s interloper. Bold and reckless, this character embodies the darker sides of humanity. At this point, one would have to believe that the band members could somewhat relate, being viewed as the “freaks” of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

desperado
[ des-puh-rah-doh ]

noun, plural des·per·a·does, des·per·a·dos.

1. 1. a bold, reckless criminal or outlaw, especially in the early days of the American West.

“Desperado” could have easily found its way onto the soundtrack of various Westerns. The song’s composition, lyrics, and style perfectly detail the story of a gunslinger on the run.

I’m a gambler, and I’m a runner
But you knew that when you laid down
I’m a picture of ugly stories
I’m a killer, and I’m a clown

Step into the street by sundown
Step into your last goodbye
You’re a target just by living
Twenty dollars will make you die

I wear lace, and I wear black leather
My hands are lightning upon my gun
My shots are clean, and my; my shots are final
My shots are deadly, and when it’s done

You’re as stiff as my smoking barrel
You’re as dead as a desert night
You’re a notch, and I’m a legend
You’re at peace, and I must hide

Tell me where the hell I’m going
Let my bones fall in the dust
Can you hear that ghost that’s calling
As my Colt begins to rust
In the dust

I’m a killer; I’m a clown
I’m a priest that’s gone to town

Revealed in the lines of the song, we find a character self-loathingly bragging about his crimes and notoriety. “I’m a picture of ugly stories, a killer, and a clown,” and “my shots are clean, final, and deadly.”

It’s as if this person is saying, “I hate the things I’ve done – and do. I can’t understand why I’m like this, but I’m good at it and know no other way.” Is this person evil? Confused? Mentally ill? What is it that drives them?

It’s no secret that God hates murder. We are made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, taking someone else’s life is equivalent to attacking Him, the Creator of all life. The story of Cain and Abel spells out our Heavenly Father’s disdain for such an act (Genesis 4:8).

Sin and its after-effects indeed haunt humanity. However, we must ask ourselves the best way to prevent such acts. What can we do to help thwart acts of violence and help bring calmness and reasoning to a suffering world?

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must no longer steal, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, so that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:17-32

When we read the above-listed verses, we find that bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, etc., allow the enemy to gain a foothold on us and our lives. Instead, we are asked to lift one another while showing kindness, compassion, and forgiving others – even if it’s to those that don’t reciprocate the same.

Taking this a few steps further, it’s estimated that the average person walks past somewhere between 15 to 35 murderers in their lifetime. It’s an eerie thought. However, maybe it places even more responsibility on us, as Christians, to always be willing to share God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace with others.

To shed His Light into a darkened world, we must filter our thoughts and sight through Christ. We must not look down on others or place them beneath us (even convicted criminals). We must see our brothers and sisters in humanity as being equally created in His image.

While no specific defining factors are associated with a killer’s mind, there usually seems to be some form of abuse, trauma, neglect, or other influences (commonly from the person’s past) that contribute to the violence or excitement they seek. Are we willing to help others see past those wrongs that have plagued them? Are we willing to show them Love even though the world has discarded them?

Could it simply be one conversation or one act of love that deters someone from taking someone else’s life? Could it be that all they want is some form of compassion? A chance to see Christ’s Love in a world that seems to have abandoned them. There’s no way to know for sure, but it’s worth contemplating.

“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes, and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison, and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ – Matthew 25:35-45

Read and digest these verses completely. Christ asks us to serve where service is necessary. Our Lord did not put stipulations on this calling. He asks us to meet others where they are and supply them with what is needed. Are we willing to do these things? Are we ready to apply Ephesians 4:17-32?

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull (Golgotha), they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:38-43

Although Jesus was innocent and had no reason to forgive the criminal next to Him, He willingly did so and invited the man into paradise. Christ offered forgiveness to “the least of these,” a common criminal punished for his crimes. As Christ was dying on the cross, He was still teaching us what it means to Love.

Are we willing to serve in our moments of weakness, doubt, and pain? Are we ready to answer His call? Are we willing to love the unlovable? Are we willing to forgive the “Desperado(s)” in our lives?

Wrapping up this week’s post, admittedly, this is a challenging subject. It is very easy to label ourselves into many different categories. Faithful and unfaithful. Innocent and guilty. Clean and unclean. Sinner and Saint. However, is that what we are called to do?

Are we called to place stipulations on Love? Did Christ love everyone, or did He pick and choose?

How many “True Crime” shows do we watch where the criminal’s story is laced with contempt, isolation, neglect, etc.? How many of those stories could have ended differently had an honest conversation or display of affection taken place? It’s tough to say. However, Matthew 25:35-45 calls us to action.

Acts of mercy and kindness are not reserved for only a few or select individuals, nor do they depend on wealth, ability, or intelligence. They are freely given and freely received. Jesus asks us to get involved – to personally find ways to shed His Light in a darkened world.

As we are “made new, shedding off our old self,” let us find ways to show compassion and kindness to all of God’s Children. Forgiving and loving one another, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:17-32).

Let us have the courage to love the “Desperado” on the run as we love ourselves (Romans 13:8-10).

In conclusion, “Desperado” is a great track (seriously, what track off the Killer LP wasn’t?). As Dennis Dunaway noted, the LP was comprised of songs about killers and their means of doing so (apart from “Be My Lover,” a Michael Bruce song that was too good to pass on). Each song told a story.

It was also the band’s first chance to show the mainstream world who they truly were. With the success of Love It To Death, they knew this was their chance to take things one step further.

“My favorite is Killer, in the respect that it was the first album we did where we knew people would be listening. On Love It To Death, we went into the studio, coming off of two fairly unsuccessful albums. Even though they made the charts, they weren’t putting food on the table. When we went into the studio for Killer, we knew people would be buying the album.” – Dennis Dunaway, the original bassist of Alice Cooper

What would the face of Rock ‘n’ Roll look like without the ingenuity, antics, shock, and stage presence of Alice Cooper? The band pushed the envelope of surprise and showmanship to a new level. They set the bar very high for new acts to follow (and try to compete with).

But there is more to it; to this day, Alice’s music (and show) push that “shock and awe” button. On the surface, it’s raw, inspiring Rock music. Underneath, there’s a story to tell and an experience to be had. It’s worth peeling back a few layers to see what’s inside.

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

In the meantime, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!