I’m Always Chasing Rainbows (Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, 1976)

Released in 1976, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell was certified Gold on November 23, 1976, and the LP peaked at #27 in the U.S. and #23 in the UK.

The album is Alice’s 2nd solo effort, and in many ways, it is a continuation of the concept found in the previous album, Welcome To My Nightmare (WTMN). A letter entitled “A Bedtime Story” was included with the album.

In the letter, we find Alice inviting Steven, the character found on the WTMN LP, to join him on his descent into the depths of Hell. Then in classic tongue-in-cheek fashion, a good portion of what Alice and Steven endure in Hell is a disco-infused nightmare.

WTMN shocked listeners and critics alike. Then, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell picked up where WTMN left off. Some were confused by the album; others were impressed, and some were curious about what Alice would do next.

“Speaking as an Avid Alice Cooper fan, I can recall excitedly buying Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, taking it home under my arm, and spinning it on my bedroom turntable for the first time. “Guilty” aside, I didn’t instantly love it, I confess. But it undeniably both opened my ears and impressed me at the same time. And I wondered what on earth Alice would do next.” – Ian Chapman, Experiencing Alice Cooper: A Listener’s Companion

As Chapman divulges, Alice opens ears and impresses. Writing these posts has taught us many things about his career. One of those is his diverse range of expression and style. How many artists have managed to reach and maintain a devoted fanbase with such a wide array of genres, concepts, and transitions?

It’s fascinating that his discography includes albums such as Killer, From The Inside, Welcome To My Nightmare, Special Forces, and Brutal Planet. Each LP is vastly different, yet so inherently Alice. It’s pretty astounding, to say the least.

This week’s post highlights perhaps one of the greatest sidesteps in Alice’s musical catalog and career – a song that most likely shocked many when the LP was released.

We recently saw “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3,” and imagine our surprise when, of all songs, “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” was included in the film’s soundtrack. It made us smile and led us to dive deeper into that song and its history.

“I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,” the second to last track on the LP, is found right before Alice’s return from Hell in the song “Going Home.” These two tracks together are the perfect combination; beautiful and grandiose, ending the LP on a very high note.

Interestingly enough, the song is a cover that dates back to 1917. The song is based on Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu, with Harry Carroll and Joseph McCarthy credited as the writers. The song is also a vaudeville standard and appeared in the 1918 Broadway production, Oh, Look!

As we mentioned earlier, these posts have taught us many things. We were amazed to learn more about the history behind this song and its importance to the theater.

“I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” has been covered by well-known artists, including Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis, Jr., and many more. The most popular versions were recorded by Charles W. Harrison in 1918 and Perry Como in 1946.

Stripped of sneers, snarls, horror, humor, and other Alice-based nuance, Coop performs “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” just as you would expect any Broadway performer. His version is laced with emotional flare and leads the listener back from the depths of Hell, helping to close the LP with much fanfare.

At the end of the rainbow, there’s happiness
And to find it how often I’ve tried
But my life is a race, just a wild goose chase
and all my dreams have been denied

Why have I always been a failure?
What can the reason be
I wonder if the world’s to blame
I wonder if it could be me

I’m always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky

Stop and read the above-listed lyrics carefully. How often do we dream and place parameters on our happiness? Are we always chasing after someone or something instead of paying attention to what is in front of us? How do we react when we don’t meet our goals or expectations? Who do we blame?

There’s nothing wrong with chasing dreams or aspiring for more. However, we must ask ourselves a critical question. Do our dreams compromise our faith or conflict with God’s purpose for our lives?

As followers of Christ, we must recognize that every talent and every gift is given to us by God. Our purpose is rooted in Christ. Our dreams are motivated by Him and the things He wants us to achieve.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:4-10

As the above-listed verses conclude, we’ve been placed here for a reason; to accomplish His plan. How often do we search for God’s plan for our life (Matthew 7:7-8)? Are we genuinely seeking His Will (Proverbs 8:17)? Do we trust Him enough to fulfill our heart’s desire (Matthew 6:33)?

Once we’ve accepted Christ, the war for our souls has been won, yet the battle for our minds rages on. Learning to redirect our thoughts may seem daunting, but it is vitally important. The renewing of our minds leads us to God’s Will for our lives (Romans 12:2).

With all this being said, how do we align our hopes and dreams with Him and His Word? How do we know we are doing what He wants us to do? Are we chasing good dreams with the wrong motives?

Our Heavenly Father knows our hearts and is not surprised by our goals or ambitions. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Therefore, it only makes sense to include Him when pursuing our dreams.

As we seek Him, we must trust that He knows us and loves us enough to fulfill every part of our life. Stop and honestly give that some thought. Is there a better place to find joy, happiness, and foresight? Doesn’t our Creator have the best blueprints of our hearts?

But how do we accomplish this? Where do we start?

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,

     on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
     as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
     but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:5-13

Jesus taught us many things. One of the most important was how to pray. Notice above in Matthew 6; Christ shows us that placing our purpose into our Father’s hands helps bring His Kingdom to the world. Jesus teaches us to commit our lives to the Father, allowing Him to guide and direct our journey.

It may sound simple and foolish to some; however, when we set aside our earthly (flesh-based) hopes and dreams, we will likely find a renewed, healthier approach to life: a plan for joy, happiness, and fulfillment.

By knowing scripture and praying for God’s will to unfold, we see His purpose instead of our dreams. It’s not an overnight process, but the two become one. Our goals and passions begin to overlap with His calling. We are fulfilled (made whole) by the objectives He has placed us here to complete.

Wrapping up this week’s post, we aspire to live a good, full life. We’ve been given a purpose and are stewards of His Light for the world to see (Matthew 5:13-16). He has given us hopes and dreams that are attainable.

We are loved. So much so that our Father gave us His Only Son, Christ Jesus, so we might still live despite our failures and mishaps (John 3:16-18). He’s also given us a mission. We must use his gifts to complete that assignment (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

As we seek Him and discover our abilities, we find peace applying them according to His plan. We realize happiness is NOT found at the end of the rainbow. Happiness instead is found by living out His Love in Action – a sincere Love that overcomes evil (Romans 12:9-21).

In conclusion, by this point in Alice’s career, it’s rumored he had grown tired of his onstage character’s sick and twisted side, which seems slightly apparent.

As a result, he dropped the macabre-style makeup, changed up his musical style, and dabbled with various new personas on the LPs released in the late 70s and early 80s.

Alice returned to Rock N’ Roll and never looked back in the mid-to-late 80s; however, his sidestep into other genres proved his musical genius was not limited to screaming guitars, shouts, sneers, or horror.

Alice will forever be a showman who wears many (top)hats… and throws a few daggers into the mix. There’s no need to make things ordinary or mundane. After all, the crowd wants a show…might as well give them one.

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

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