Hello Hooray (Billion Dollar Babies, 1973)

Billion Dollar Babies, released in 1973, was the follow-up to the School’s Out LP. With the release of those two LPs, Alice Cooper’s breakthrough had come. They were no longer considered a fluke or an outlier. Instead, they had found their prominent place in the world of Rock. 

“(Billion Dollar Babies) was probably the most timely record we ever recorded; School’s Out and Billion Dollar Babies just hit at exactly the right time. We were at the very top of our popularity. All of a sudden School’s Out had broken everything wide-open… then Billion Dollar Babies followed it up.” – Alice Cooper

At this point, the band not only had a solid fan base, but they were also gaining much-deserved respect as musicians. As a result, Billion Dollar Babies was regarded as one of the year’s greatest albums by critics and musicians alike.

The record was recorded in three different studios over the course of six months and opened with “Hello Hooray,” a song written by Rolf Kempf and initially performed by Judy Collins on her 1968 LP, Who Knows Where The Time Goes.

Alice Cooper takes this song and makes it their own. A Top 10 hit in various parts of the world, their version has a somewhat dark, mysterious feeling attached to it, yet it also leaves the listener with a sense of fanfare – an uplifting, soulful brilliance attached to it.

Hello! Hooray!
Let the show begin; I’ve been ready
Hello! Hooray!
Let the lights grown dim; I’ve been ready.

Ready as this audience, you’re coming here to dream
Loving every second, every movement, every scream

I been waiting so long to sing my song
And I been waiting so long for this thing to come
Whoa, I been thinking so long I was the only one.

The lyrics and composition do a great job of building anticipation, leaving the listener waiting, wondering, and wanting more. As if to say, are you ready? Are you prepared for what’s next? Can you handle this?

Concerning the narrative of life, there’s a particular restorative nature about this song – that ‘Hello! Hooray!…I’ve been ready’ vibe. It’s a reminder of Christ’s Grace and Mercy, which frees us all and leaves us as new, redeemed creations.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 5:10-11

It’s as if one has been waiting – “waiting so long” to be relieved of the guilt, shame, pain, etc., of this world. Only to find themselves living for the present, “loving every second, every moment” of this new journey.

God has given us each an individual journey, and hopefully, we see this as a complete source of motivation, desire, strength, devotion, etc. Thus, leaving us ready to declare, “God, I feel so strong!“

Before going any deeper, we have to examine something. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but it’s paramount to know this one truth. Restoration cannot be achieved without Redemption.

We were designed to make a choice – to either accept His gift of eternal life or forever dwell in darkness without His presence. It’s a choice we must make. But how awesome and incredibly loving is our Father to allow us that chance? A chance to choose a better way.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Restoration is the most beautiful part of our walk with our Lord. It’s the part of the journey where growth takes place. We essentially begin peeling off layers of ourselves, restoring those layers with His Spirit. Fruit that was bruised or rotten is replaced by ripe, healthy, nutritious fruit. Fruit for the soul. The fruit of His Spirit (Matthew 12:33).

Restoration is a never-ending process – a lifetime endeavor. But it’s a beautiful thing – something that continues to lead you to new places. Places you never dreamed you could go. In many ways, it’s an entirely new perspective on life. His perspective. His view. His plans (Jeremiah 29:11).

1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley.
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head (restoring my soul);
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
– Psalms 23 –

With literally hundreds of verses, people, and stories to choose from, it seems familiarity is best. Most folks that have some experience with God’s Word know the 23rd Psalm.

Purposely using ‘The Message’ version of the Bible, we find a modern-day interpretation of the 23rd Psalm. The chapter depicts our Lord as the Good Shepherd, a shepherd willing to chase after lost sheep (Matthew 18:12).

Sheep learn that their shepherd is the one that leads them to safety, feeds them, and restores them. David, being a shepherd, was able to relate to this scenario. He knew what those sheep expected him to be, and he had experienced firsthand what the Lord had done for him.

It was easy for David to see things through the eyes of his flock. Needing to be led by our Lord, he was able to express that through this well-known passage. However, he was able to express himself in this chapter and throughout other Psalms as well.

We’ve spoken about David and his struggles before. Not necessarily because they mirror our own, but because he does a beautiful job illustrating his walk with God. David knew where his hope and restoration were found – in the promises of God.

In Hebrews 11, the author lists examples of restored lives lived by faith, David being one of them. Some were improbable heroes: noblemen, noblewomen, shepherds, farmers, oracles, judges, kings, and a prostitute are listed and serve as a reminder that all walks of life are welcome into His fold.

These people were not perfect – nor were their lives. Their actions led them to joy, consequence, sorrow, victory, etc., yet they learned that in all things, they should rely on Him to restore them in their times of need, rest, and labor.

Wrapping up this week’s post, restoration brings a new way of living. We are offered so much more than we could have ever hoped. His directions and our willingness to listen lead us to:

• A new way of thinking (Romans 12:2)
• A replacement of what was stolen (Deuteronomy 30:3-13)
• The miraculous (Luke 18:27)
• Faith in the future (Joel 2:24-26)
• Joy, even through strife (Philippians 4:4-5)
• His Righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• Humility (Colossians 3:12)
• and the list goes on and on

Restoration in its purest form replaces our attributes with God’s qualities and characteristics. Simply put, we become a redeemed soul living life, as best we can, according to Him and His Word.

At the beginning and end of each day, may we all take the time to ask some critical questions. Where are we in life’s narrative? Are we trapped in one of life’s valleys – trying to claw our way back up? Are we sheep longing for a shepherd?

Sometimes it’s challenging to navigate the reasoning behind our purpose and the events in life we’ve endured. But we must know, there is a definite purpose. His Ways. His Truth. Those are everlasting and resolute. When we consistently apply His directions and follow His guide things have a way of ironing out.

His principles and promises are tangible. They are freely given to those that ask. They are ours to receive. It’s a matter of accepting, walking, and living out His Word and will for our lives.

“Hello Hooray, Let the show begin, (We’re) Ready!” We’re ready to accept a new, restored life. Prepared to lay aside the old, damaged soul – accepting instead a new, restored one. One alive with His Love. His Light. His Spirit. “God, (we) feel so strong!”

In conclusion, what a way to start an album. Better yet, what a way to begin the show. “Hello Hooray” sets the tone and offers the listener (and crowd) an expectation and foreshadowing of what’s to come.

“We would kick it off really positively with “Hello Hooray.” If you were in the audience, this big giant bank of fog would roll off the stage, and then we would all be standing there wearing white playing this ballad, and then do some rockers.” – Dennis Dunaway, original bass player for Alice Cooper

Just as “Hello Hooray” set the stage for Alice Cooper on the Billion Dollar Babies Tour, it also sets life’s stage. Are we ready for what’s in store? Have we searched for the answers and wisely chosen our path? If so, we should buckle up and prepare for one wild, crazy ride – “Loving every second, every moment, every scream!”