Freedom (Raise Your Fist and Yell, 1987)

.Raise Your Fist and Yell, released in 1986, finds Alice back in the habit of writing and recording new material. Alice and Kane Roberts (guitarist) co-wrote all the album’s songs. Kip Winger was the only other songwriter working with Alice and Roberts on “Gail.”

During that period, the PMRC (Parent’s Music Resource Center), an organization designed to oversee and promote parental control over music, worked hard to censor music they deemed violent, drug-related, or sexual.

The bipartisan Washington D.C.-based group, co-founded by the “Washington Wives,” sought to modify or remove lyrics from specific artists and songs while placing various stipulations and regulations on the music industry (including record stores and MTV).

The movement included a Senate hearing which featured multiple supporting witnesses claiming that album covers, music videos, and the music itself has the power to influence behavior.

Opposing witnesses, including Frank Zappa, Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), and John Denver, argued that insinuation and reference were all based on what the listener wanted to hear or find in the lyrics.

Instead of appearing or writing a letter to the PMRC, Alice used tracks from Raise Your Fist and Yell to fight back, including the opening track, “Freedom.”

“That whole song was totally written about them. I wrote it on the level of saying, look, anybody that starts out with a premise that all kids are created stupid… I can’t understand it, but that’s really what they say! They don’t understand that these kids grew up with the ‘Friday the 13th’ movies. They understand satire, and they understand humor. They understand what Alice is about.” – Alice Cooper

“Freedom” is about fighting oppression – fighting tyranny, ignorance, & organized power. It’s about fighting back against a “state,” or government, that believes we are a set of mindless drones – unable and unwilling to think for ourselves.

It’s not a call to violence – it’s a battle of ideas. A fight against an entity that somehow believes we need help figuring out right from wrong.

You’re playing God from your ivory tower
Back off preacher, I don’t care if it’s Sunday
I ain’t no angel, but I’ve never felt better
We’re a make-up metal generation
We’re not as stupid as you want to make us
You better leave us, man
‘Cause you sure can’t take us
Oh… Nobody better tell you how to live your

Freewill and conscience drive humanity. Any actions we make are ours and ours alone. Blaming art, music, movies, media, or even the government for our actions is asinine and childish.

We, the people of the United States
In order to form a more perfect union

Stop pretending that you’ve never been bad
You’re never wrong, and you’ve never been dirty
You’re such a saint; that ain’t the way we see you
Ah, You want to rule us with an iron hand
You change the lyrics and become Big Brother
This ain’t Russia; you ain’t my Dad or Mother
(They never knew anyway)
‘Cause I never walk away from what I know is right
But I’m gonna turn my back on you

Alice and those opposing the PMRC’s tactics stood up for the First Amendment – the right to the establishment of religion, the use of free speech, a free press, and the right to peaceably assemble and petition the Government.

The premise for this right (and many others) comes from the United States Declaration of Independence. The document states that all are created equally and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which include ‘Life, Liberity, and the Pursuit of Happiness.’

In a nutshell, our rights and freedoms are given to us by our Creator, not some human or any other spiritual overlord(s).

So, we’ve established that our rights and freedoms come from our Creator. But what exactly does that mean?

Various people throughout history have spelled out the natural or common laws of humanity. For instance, John Locke, a 17th-century philosopher, and physician, stated that “all people are equal and independent, yet none have the right to harm another’s life, health, liberty, or possession.”

However, the universal or natural laws of humanity were first defined by our Lord. The Ten Commandments in the Bible teach us those things (Exodus 20:1-17). Then Christ later states in Matthew 22:36-40; we are called and created to love God and people (as ourselves). So, again, such things are inherent.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Galatians 5:13-14

When we were created, all humanity was meant to be equal (Galatians 3:28) and free (Galatians 5:13-14). It most likely sounds a bit odd to some, but the more we adhere to His commandments (Love God, Love People), the more freely we live.

On the surface, this may seem counterproductive, but digging deeper, we find inner peace – His peace.

Harmony is the key. Christ never called us to shun, judge, or disgrace others. He instead expects us to use grace with all encounters and all people (Colossians 4:6). The same grace was given to us by Him. His Love often opens doors that would otherwise remain shut.

When we realize that we have all fallen short (Romans 3:23), we begin to see other individuals as Christ sees them. We begin to worry not about the sins of others but instead our own (Matthew 7:3). With this, we begin to find FREEDOM.

Freedom through self-sacrifice (Matthew 10:39). Freedom through service (Galatians 5:13-14). Freedom through our actions (Galatians 6:9). Freedom through grace (Romans 8:1-2). Freedom through the Spirit, His Spirit (Romans 7:6). The more we surrender to Him, the more freedom we experience.

Humanity has always tried to recreate itself. We attempt to replace His blueprint with our own. We try to carry burdens we weren’t meant to bear. We try to label what’s right and wrong according to our understanding. We try to place judgment and blame where they don’t belong.

In a nutshell, we’ve attempted to play God far too long. Isn’t it freeing to know that none of that is our responsibility? We were never called to do any of those things. Instead, we were called to Love (Colossians 3:14).

With Love, we find a much more comfortable life. With Love, we find patience, kindness, perseverance, honor, peace, etc. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). With Love, we find Freedom.

Wrapping this up, are you free? Truly free? Are there things that still enslave you? Do you hold fast to the vices of this world? Christ urges us to take His hand and walk freely.

A free walk with Him through faith – worrying not about the things of this world (Matthew 6:25-34), the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 2:5), nor your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Instead, we should focus on praying to Him (Philippians 4:6-7), trusting in Him (Matthew 19:26), knowing Him (2 Timothy 3:16), and seeking Him (Acts 17:26-27). There is power in the name of Jesus. Power to break every chain. To live as He intended. To live in “Freedom.”

In conclusion, Alice again hits the nail on the head with “Freedom”. Living in the U.S., it’s expected that our government does not meddle in our private lives – especially concerning the rights and freedoms bestowed upon us by our Creator. Free speech is one of those.

Well, before (accepting Christ), you are always self—you’re always self-centered. Everything is for you.  Your self is God. And we make lousy gods. Humans make lousy gods, I think. We need to let God be God and us be what we are. I think that’s what changes: the focus on who you’re serving. You’re not serving you. You’re serving Christ.” – Alice Cooper

As Alice states, it’s our service to Christ that truly changes us. It truly sets us free. So, therefore, let us stop “playing God from (our) ivory tower(s)” and instead submit to Him and His Ways.

That’s it for this week! Catch you next Friday.

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