Go Man Go (Detroit Stories, 2021)

Detroit Stories is Alice Cooper’s 21st solo album. It was released on February 26, 2021, quickly reaching the #1 slot on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart. Inspired by Alice’s hometown, Detroit, MI, he states the record pays homage to “the birthplace of angry Hard Rock,” and it seems many critics agree.

“Stylistically, the album is very gritty and follows the same punk, metal and shock-rock inspired sound of the earlier days of the Alice Cooper Group and the Detroit music scene.” – (Kory Grow, Rolling Stone Magazine, Feb. 2021)

Contributing to the album’s flashback appeal, “I Hate You” and “Social Debris,” two tracks on the album that feature the original lineup, could have easily been included on any of the classic Alice Cooper (Group) records.

Along with the throwback appeal of the LP, Alice also mixes in a few covers, including Bob Seger’s “East Side Story,” Velvet Underground’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll,” MC5’s “Sister Anne,” and a rework of Outrageous Cherry’s “Our Love Will Change The World.”

The perception and influence surrounding music and the arts are fascinating, and Detroit Stories is all about attitude – a Detroit-based attitude.

“There’s a certain Detroit sound we’re looking for. It’s indefinable. There’s a certain amount of R&B in it. There’s a certain amount of Motown in it. But then you add the guitars, and you add the attitude, and it turns into Detroit rock.” – Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper is undeniably cut from a large piece of Detroit-based fabric – laced with style and swagger. Iggy & The Stooges, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, MC5, and, more recently, The White Stripes and Kid Rock exemplify that same attitude and bluster.

It seems with Detroit Stories, Alice is giving us a peek behind the curtain of his musical mind. A nod to the Garage Band days of the ‘60s & ‘70s and the crafted sounds of the original band under Bob Ezrin’s guidance.

“Go Man Go,” the second track on the LP, is an upbeat song that exhibits a getaway vibe. It implores the listener to visualize one of those bank robber movies or the getaway scene from a crime show.

We ride into the night
And everything’s alright
I try to take it slow
But she yells go man go

Call me “Hamtramck Hammer” (go, man, go)
She just Crazy Jane (go, man, go)
Don’t care about tomorrow (go, man, go)
She don’t know when to stop (go, man, go)
(Go, man, go)
That’s when we blew past the cops (go, man, go)

The song’s main character is heavily influenced by some of the more dangerous things in life. A real “Rebel Without a Cause (or a Clue)” sorta guy. Even during the moments when he instinctively wants to “take it slow.” He’s pushed and prodded to “Go Man Go.”

How many of us are like that – always living life on the edge? Cruising at 100mph and never taking the time to slow down and process what’s happening around us.

Influence comes from many different aspects of life. But how often do we stop to think about the roots of that influence? Is it a physical or emotional influence or, more likely, a spiritual one?

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

For many, the above verse reads, “stay away from evil people – AKA non-believers.” But is the “bad company” really about someone that doesn’t believe? Or is it instead about the one that influences them?

We’ve come to define humanity by the terms “good” or “evil,” but should we consider identifying them instead by their understanding? A better way to characterize humanity might be with the terms “lost” or “found.”

Someone described as “lost” doesn’t seek to cause irreparable harm to themselves or anyone else. However, it may be easier for them to be swayed into foolish decisions by the god of this world, our enemy.

In comparison, someone that is “found” gains clarity and, more importantly, a new identity. Discovering the recklessness of the enemy’s influence (and the need for a Savior), they simply choose to rely not on their own understanding but the wisdom of the Lord instead (Proverbs 3:5-6).

However, it’s important to note that even those that are “found” can be influenced by the enemy. Influential elements are present and noticed throughout our entire lives. The navigation of life is often exemplified by things we embrace. Are God’s Word and Will two of those things?

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” – Proverbs 13:20

No one man or woman on this Earth is wise enough for us to follow or wholly trust. It’s incredible how one verse in Proverbs carries so much weight. The above-listed one points to the wisdom derived from our Father, not solely from humanity.

Any eternal knowledge or insight gained by those in this world was initially given to them by our Creator. Again, noting that influence is the key here. The narrative isn’t an “us vs. them” argument or discussion. It is merely a reminder of what influences us all.

The character in the song is swayed line after line into the decisions he’s made. Instead of carefully planning his next move (after leaving jail), he steals a car and picks up his girl.

With no self-control and no cares for tomorrow, the couple tempts fate and winds up cornered by the law. But, instead of giving up and turning themselves in, they engage in the chase.

We ride into the night
A train comes into sight
Do we make it? I don`t know
Should I slam on the brakes or step on the gas?
And she said, “Go, man, go.”

As the song ends, we are left hanging. The lines, “We ride into the night, A train comes into sight, Do we make it, I don`t know, Should I slam on the brakes or step on the gas? And she said, “Go, man, go.” Do they make it, or are they smashed by the train?

Wow, just WOW! Stop and think about that. Look at this song not from the perspective of cops and criminals but the realm of spiritual warfare. From that standpoint, the spirits of influence are adequately represented in the song.

Darkness (the enemy) continually pokes at this individual, telling him, “Go, Man, Go.” As if to say, don’t stop, don’t think, don’t feel, chase the excitement and ‘highs’ of this world. The adrenaline rush, the enticement of danger, the ‘pleasures’ of sin.

But there’s a cautious Spirit as well. The one saying, “take it slow.” Stop. Process what it is you’re about to do. Is it worth the risk? Is it worth your soul?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

Let’s stop and ask ourselves a couple of questions. First, are we moving so fast that we may be missing something? And second, does the constant need for that ‘high’ push us into doing things we would not usually do?

Are there impulses that thoughtlessly tell us, “Go, Man, Go!” Or maybe, something that clouds our judgment? Something that keeps us from hearing or listening to that voice saying, “take it slow?”

Influence is everywhere and takes on so many forms. Take a moment and think about the forces that guide our footsteps. What spirits are we allowing to influence us?

As we encounter influential situations, we find His Word spells out His Will for our lives. Then, as we focus on our thought process, becoming more like Him and His Spirit, we begin to recognize who is behind those spirits of influence more clearly.

Wrapping up this week’s post, you’ll also notice that as His Word becomes absorbed by our hearts, others will be influenced by our walk. Therefore, we must also remember to be humble and gentle with others as we share our testimony and His Love.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:13-16

As the above-listed verses declare, He uses us to illuminate the world. We must be conscious of that. Therefore, respectfully we defend our faith to those that ask for the reasoning behind our lives (1 Peter 3:15), but we do so with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).

Also, we must remember that His Grace propels us forward (Romans 3:21-26). We are often “(Our) Own Worst Enemy” (check out the link for the post to that Alice song as well). Mistakes and shortcomings are bound to happen but we can’t allow them to define who we are because they don’t!

Our identity comes from Christ! Embrace and know that as truth! The world will try to hold us back, yet Our Creator sends us upward and onward!

In conclusion, Detroit Stories brings to the forefront a Detroit-driven style, mindset, and influence which ultimately put Alice Cooper on the map. The Detroit scene accepted them as a band when other places, like L.A., did not.

Alice Cooper was pure grit, raw, stripped bare, and genuine Rock & Roll. And, like so many bands from Detroit, they were authentic and unpretentious. The sounds of Detroit aren’t forced or contrived; they are raw, edgy, and hard-hitting.

In a world full of knock-offs, copycats, and insincerity, isn’t it a breath of fresh air to see and note such an extreme dose of authenticity?

As we learn to become who we are in Christ, we must also learn to worry less about the influences of this world and more about the authenticity of our faith. Yet, another lesson learned from Alice – be genuine in who you are and your faith.

That’s it for this week, see you next Friday!

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