I Love The Dead (Billion Dollar Babies, 1973)

Released on February 25th, 1973, Billion Dollar Babies is Alice Cooper’s 6th studio album. Overall, the record is very tongue-in-cheek – a dark comedy of sorts.

Songs on the LP poke fun at or call attention to reality’s ironic, darker truths. They are cautionary tales of humanity and how twisted the world can often be.

At this point, Bob Ezrin was firmly at the production helm and had developed a formula for success. The previous LP, School’s Out, had reached #2 on the Billboard 200, and the title track became an international hit. Alice Cooper had become a worldwide success story – something they couldn’t believe.

“How could we, this band that two years ago was living in the Chambers Brothers’ basement in Watts, be the Number One band in the world, with people throwing money at us?” – Alice Cooper

Even in their disbelief, Billion Dollar Babies would set new heights – becoming a #1 album in the US and UK.

“I Love The Dead,” the last song on the LP, is arguably one of the all-time most notorious Alice Cooper songs – a taboo, dicey account of sexual attraction to corpses (AKA necrophilia).

During the Billion Dollar Babies tour, Alice’s villainous stage antics (and ‘love’ for the dead) ultimately lead him to his punishment – death by beheading. And, what critics, naysayers, and pious folks fail to see about this song (and the show) is the morality play at hand. In the end, evil is always punished.

Just as before and many times over, Alice Cooper is punished for his crimes and is an example of what not to do. As if to say, “Don’t try this at home. Don’t choose the path of evil!”

“I Love The Dead” exemplifies one of humanity’s worst vices and crimes. It can be seen as an illustration of just how low sin will carry us – if we allow it.

If this topic disturbs you, it should, but bear with us a little further. The song itself is straightforward; the dude in the song loves dead things. They arouse him. But the question is, why?

“Cadaver eyes upon me see…nothing.”

The lyrics above point out that no judgment or emotion (good or bad) is shown from the stares of a lifeless face. It’s creepy, but there’s some truth to it. There’s no correct or incorrect verdict from the dead. No way to please or displease them. There’s only numbness and indifference – two things our world thrives on.

But, stop and think about the song from two other perspectives – our Heavenly Father’s and the enemy’s.

Our Heavenly Father’s position:

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 10:37-39

Our Creator sees death as a beginning. Not just the beginning of our eternal life after death but the beginning of our spiritual journey. Before we can truly live, we must first die.

With that being said, are we not called to be dead? Dead to sin (Romans 6:1-2), dead to the ways of the world (Galatians 6:14), and dead to self (Colossians 3:5), yet ALIVE in CHRIST (Romans 6:11).

Before we can truly live, aren’t we required to die?

We are called to cast aside our flesh (our earthly self) and allow Christ to transform us into something different – a new creation. In Him, we find our original purpose through His brilliance and righteousness.

Satan’s position:

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were, by nature, deserving of wrath. – Ephesians 2:1-3

The enemy loves the thought of someone being spiritually dead, caught in the web of his lies. Someone that is living life with no meaning – just here for no reason at all.

Live once, play hard, and care nothing for anyone or anything but ourselves; that’s what the enemy loves and wants from us. It’s easy for him that way. There’s no tempting, swaying, poking, or prodding.

Satan is waiting for the day when those who remain spiritually dead leave this life. Once they leave this world, he will indeed “have other uses for (them).”

Moving in a slightly different direction, check out the photo pictured above. A similar one is often shared on social media, blogs, and websites. Of course, the diversity of humanity is an exhaustive list (not just the ones shown in the picture), but doesn’t the imagery prove a valid point?

Stripped of our flesh, are we not all the same? And isn’t that the way our Creator sees us? As being His – created in His image.

We are linked together through creation and the Father’s love. And while some divisions of humanity may not accept one another, our Father has adopted us ALL through the blood of His Son.

Instead of seeing the world through our own eyes, shouldn’t we instead see it through the eyes of Christ?

A world in need of love and acceptance. A world that is dead to the things of this earth yet alive in Him. Aspiring to unconditionally love one another, including all walks of life (Romans 15:7).

As we let go of our selfish nature, we should become more and more comfortable with the idea of laying aside our old mentality. Our minds become new through Him and His Word. A new outlook that bears fruit and brings us closer to our Lord (John 15:5).

We live or die by the blood in our veins, but we live life anew by the blood spilled on the cross. The invitation for us to dwell with Him in Spirit (on this earth) and eternally (in Heaven) has been given (Matthew 11:28-30).

He’s willing to accept us all. We are only asked to believe and call upon His name (Ephesians 1:3-6, John 6:29).

Wrapping up this week’s post, would you ever expect to see so much beauty in death? It’s the only thing sure in this world. In many ways, it’s the great equalizer.

We will all die a physical death. However, how many will continue to find life after death? It’s a daunting question. One that isn’t always pleasant to ponder.

The truth is that many of us haven’t learned that life is found through the absence of self. It’s a difficult revelation, yet we’ve been called to do our best – to die daily, knowing we will still fall short.

Let us continue to strive for a more perfect life by His example. And, may we know that it is His stripes that heal and save us (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Every lash Christ took on our behalf was a healing blow for our sins, sickness, and downfall, and in return, He merely asks that we show up and answer His call – to believe and know that Jesus Christ is Lord.

In conclusion, “I Love The Dead” rattles many. The song is just too dark, gruesome, and grotesque. However, there’s always more than one way to see things.

During Alice’s stage show, “I Love The Dead” is often used during a medley of songs that reflect the villain’s spiraling descent just before he’s punished for his crime(s). So it’s a fitting place for Alice to pay homage to songs combining the music and the experience.

“Not only is “I Love The Dead” the most Grand Guignol moment of the album, but it is also the band’s career pièce de résistance in terms of merging music and horror. The song begins with a slow, exposed, atmospheric bass line that would be closely recapitulated on in the opening moments of Alice’s 1975 solo debut album, Welcome To My Nightmare.” – Ian Chapman, Experiencing Alice Cooper: A Listener’s Companion

Some might never understand the dark humor, the morality play, or the depth of Alice’s music. Fortunately, we (and many other Metal heads) do, and we’ve seen the parallels between the stage experience and his faith.

Alice Cooper – the man, the music, the show, etc. – may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but when consumed slowly (and with just a touch of sugar), we believe anyone willing to try it would soon understand its magnificence.

God Bless Alice and Sheryl Cooper and all those willing to carry His Light into a darkened world.

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

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

“Father in Heaven, we thank you for our brothers and sisters in this life. We lift up those that are lost and in need of your spiritual guidance and awakening. We are thankful for your Light and that no darkness comes from you and your presence. We know You love all creation and want them to know and accept You as Lord. We thank You for giving us Salvation through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and that no man or any living creature can separate us from You once we’ve fully accepted Him and His name. We ask that anyone reading this post that may doubt you or your Love would begin seeking you with all the desires of their heart, and we ask for your blessings and guidance as we strive to live according to your Word – as vessels of your love, dying daily that we may live anew. In Christ’s name, Amen.”