In 1976, Alice released his second solo album, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell – the sequel to Welcome To My Nightmare. The nightmare may be over, but Steven, the main character, now finds himself placed in the bowels of hell confronted by darkness.

At the time, radio stations were only willing to play Rock ballads. Therefore, heavier songs and Rock anthems had slowly disappeared from the airwaves. With this in mind and disco dominating the music scene in the mid-to-late 70s, Bob Ezrin, Dick Wagner, and Alice conceptualized hell as a discotheque.

“Four ballad hits in a row, and everybody goes, “Alice is going soft.” I’m going, no I’m not; that’s just the only songs they’ll play from us. Same with Aerosmith, same with Kiss – their biggest hit was “Beth,” which was a ballad. If you look at the time period, what was being played? The Bee Gees, Tavares, and all those bands.” – Alice Cooper

One of the four ballads Alice refers to above is “I Never Cry” – the fifth track found on Alice Cooper Goes To Hell. The single peaks at No. 12, and Alice later admits the song is about his alcoholism.

Sometimes I drink more than I need
Until the TV’s dead and gone
I may be lonely, but I’m never alone
And the night may pass me by
But I’ll never cry

Take away, take away my eyes
Sometimes I’d rather be blind
Break a heart, break a heart of stone
Open it up but don’t you leave it alone

’Cause that’s all I got to give you
Believe me, Babe, it ain’t been used
My heart’s a virgin; it’s never been tried
And you know I’ll never cry
And you know I’ll never cry
And you know you know you know I’ll never cry
I’ll never cry

Read those lyrics carefully. How many of us have been there? A broken body, a broken mind, a broken spirit, yet a heart (and soul) untainted by the things of this world? On the surface, things seem bleak, and the walls are caving in, but on the inside, nothing’s changed. Our hearts remain pure.

It’s also interesting how Alice refers to loneliness, although he’s “never alone.” Does this not describe life (especially today)? Instead of seeking genuine relationships, how much time do we spend trying to fill the holes and voids in our lives with phones, televisions, computers, etc.?

It’s as if we are afraid to spend time with our thoughts and the Spirit of our Creator dwelling inside – fearful of exposing our frail humanity. So instead, we’d rather cover the loneliness with busyness.

We try so hard to hold on to everything. We want so badly to do things ourselves with no help from others. So we keep things pent up inside – unwilling to share with those that love us most (including our Heavenly Father). We would rather have them believe that we “never cry.”

Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
– Psalms 27:7-11

Brokenness comes in so many forms – broken families, abuse, addiction, differing ideologies, psychological isolation, etc. Not always, but frequently we find ourselves running from God instead of to Him when life is at its most chaotic. However, David shows us in the above-listed verses that he learned to “seek God’s face” daily.

If we read between the lines in “I Never Cry,” we find a broken man trying to offer his heart to someone he loves. The words “Babe” most likely are aimed at Sheryl Cooper. However, replace that word with God, and it also applies.

When we seek Him daily, willing to share our thoughts, feelings, shortcomings, and life’s events through meditation and prayer, we may also notice ourselves more open with others. Allowing them to see our vulnerabilities and know His greatness (not our own) supplies us with strength.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.– 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

We are the “jars of clay” referred to in the above-listed verses – frail and fallible beings. “I Never Cry” shares some of Alice’s weaker moments, but they are not only his – they are humanity’s weaknesses.

Our Father has created us for greatness; we have the power to do marvelous things in His name (John 14:12). But therein lies the truth; knowing that the power is HIS (not ours) is paramount. Through our weaknesses, His strength is revealed (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Psalm 73:26, Isaiah 40:29, & many more).

Once we’ve let go of the fact that we can’t do it alone – that it’s okay to shed a few tears and admit our imperfections. That’s the point when God’s splendor and Light shine brightest. That’s the moment when we become clay in the hands of the potter, our Heavenly Father (Isaiah 64:8).

Wrapping up this week’s post, it’s pretty apparent Alice was wrestling with some significant issues in the late 70s and early 80s. However, in Alice’s weakness, God’s Love, plan, and grace were stronger.

Where are those weaknesses in our lives? Have we given them over to Him? Have we allowed the same greatness to intercede as Alice did?

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:26-28

Maybe some of us want this from our Father, but we don’t know where to start. The verses above teach us that we must let the Spirit intercede. True freedom is ironic. It requires that we allow a Higher Authority (God’s Holy Spirit) to guide, direct, and lead us.

Instead of trying to walk alone, unwilling to shed tears and emotion, it’s time for us to admit we can’t do it on our own. Not to sound too cliché, but it’s time to let go and let God.

In conclusion, when we began this journey, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell was an LP we questioned. On the surface, the cover is a bit frightening. No doubt it scared the hell out of many folks in the 70s.

However, the music and lyrics serve up track after track of tongue and cheek magic that takes us on an adventure – to hell and back. It’s evident that while the church, critics, and parents wanted to paint Alice into some evil persona, Alice was spelling out what evil is – not that one should partake in it.

That’s it for this week, be well, enjoy the weekend, and catch you next week!

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