Welcome To My Nightmare (Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)

Welcome To My Nightmare, released in 1975, was Coop’s first solo LP. It’s an ambitious album that catapulted his career into the next phase. With Bob Ezrin as a fixed partner in the mix but no “band,” so to speak, Alice found himself in new territory. Ezrin speaks fondly about this time and has disclosed a lot of the process used to create the record. With so many dynamics changing, it became a new, untested approach to songwriting and album production for both Coop and Ezrin.

“When we got to Welcome To My Nightmare, we decided to experiment with more overtly theatrical stuff, and we had this band put together that was a strange amalgam. We made the switch because we didn’t have a band anymore, and we had this concept for a film. It actually started off as an idea for a film, and we began writing the soundtrack which then morphed into Welcome To My Nightmare. So, it began theatrically, it began with a whole different approach of more like a show. Broadway show, musical film, then hard rock album.” – Bob Ezrin

 The album begins with the self-titled track that quickly sets the tone for the entire LP – a beginning or launch point for the “Nightmare.” From there, the tale unfolds.

“Welcome To My Nightmare” was just the absolute theme for that whole album. It’s a play on “Welcome to My Dreams.” “Welcome To My Nightmare” was saying, here it is, we’re going there, we’re going to go to this nightmare. A nice little play on words. Actually, it was pretty jazzy, and that was the Ezrin touch in that. My idea was that in the beginning of that, all the parts were very dark and (The) Doors and Alice combined. But when it came to the end of that song, it really just took off into a whole horns and jazz and rock kinda funky thing. But it still stays creepy. That’s Bob Ezrin.” – Alice Cooper

The “Nightmare” concept has been woven into the framework of the Alice Cooper experience. It’s hard to imagine what his solo career would look like without Welcome To My Nightmare – even so, Alice has admitted it was a risky album to make. A risk worth taking.

Looking back, he confessed, “I’ve been with the band all my life, and people don’t necessarily like it when the lead singer of a band goes off on his own.” But in Alice’s case, nothing could be further from the truth. Welcome To My Nightmare propelled Alice forward into a new category and arena of his own.

Observing the title track and the current state of the world, it’s as if we are in the middle of humanity’s worst “Nightmare.” But none of us really “like it,” nor does it feel as if we “belong.” Instead, it feels as if the “breakdown” is unmerited, unwelcome, and unreal.

It’s as if we are all waiting to wake up in some sort of cold sweat, able to wipe away the terror and move on as if nothing has happened. However, it doesn’t seem as if that is going to happen any time soon.

As we break down this concept, ask yourself a question. What is it that we fear? It’s an honest question. As folks clear off the shelves in mass quantities, consider what it is that drives their fear and anxiety. Is it the convenience of the modern world slipping through their fingers, the altering of life’s necessary activities, or is it the actual thought of getting sick?

As post after post fills our social media feed, it seems the very worst of humanity is on display. People are fighting over rolls of toilet paper, racist attacks have been made against people of Chinese ethnicity, and cruise passengers returning from their voyage have been assaulted by spectators (with rocks thrown at them as they vacate the ship). These are only a few examples of the lowest depths humanity has reached during this time.

Other reports have shown inspirational stories of communities singing together from their apartment balconies, people supporting healthcare workers from afar or through windows, Disneyland donating all its extra food to a food bank in Orange County, California, and distilleries around the country making and distributing hand sanitizer for free. Again, these are only a few examples, but they paint a much brighter, more inspirational picture of humanity.

But perhaps, the most basic and profound gestures are the small ones – like allowing someone to go before you or offering them a smile instead of treating them as your enemy.

With the tensions of adversity, it seems the natural state of who we are is amplified – character and integrity are either lost or found – we either show more kindness or our aggression level is intensified. It’s as if hardships and challenges force our most inward thoughts and emotions to the surface.

During such times, we must ask ourselves, “Do we like, or even recognize, what we’ve become?” “Are we only civilized, rational, and emotionally stable when things are comfortable, painless, and effortless?” “Do the circumstances around us dictate who we are and how we act?”

Again, these are tough questions, but ones that request an answer. Why do so many of us react with rage and fear while others respond with compassion and faith? It seems that is where this topic leads us – Fear vs. Faith.

FEAR.
The Bible makes it clear that fear is not part of God’s plan. We’ve discussed the fact that “Fear Not” is declared in His Word more than 100+ times. It’s NOT something He wants for His children. He wants us focused on His plans, not on the latest stories of destruction and doom, but instead on Him – His Power, His Wisdom, His Love.

The spirit of fear is not from God. Instead, He has given us strength, love, and a sound mind to combat the enemy’s tactics.

“For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”- 2 Timothy 1:7

Notice this verse states that fear is a “spirit,” yet it’s NOT from God. Therefore, it’s a demonic force straight from the camp of the enemy. It’s a spirit of influence. A nasty device implored by the depths of the abyss to stir humanity’s hearts, minds, and souls into taking action that is not rational or normal behavior.

The root cause of so many bad judgments (and mistakes that could have been avoided) is fear. This same verse talks about a few of the things God equips us with instead. Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. The Holy Spirit provides us with fruit to combat the enemy’s fear-based attacks (Galatians 5:22-23). That fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

Notice foolishness is not one of those attributes. Our Creator has given us a “sound mind” to discern what does and doesn’t make sense. He asks that before we panic, we instead pray. Seeking Him and His guidance. Know that in all things He is working for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

One last point on fear. Throughout God’s Word multiple verses use the phrase “Fear of God.” It is important to note that this isn’t an anxious, scary, or “servile fear” (the fear of getting in trouble). C.S. Lewis specifically addressed this in his book The Problem of Pain. Lewis compares God-fearing to that of being awestruck – to “feel wonder and a certain shrinking (knowing someone much greater than us exists)” or “a sense of inadequacy to cope with such a visitan of or prostration before it.” The better way to look at a “Fear of God” might be to see Him as pure magnificence, a loving Creator that we show great respect and admiration.

FAITH.
In direct response to fear, we must stand in Faith. Hebrews 11:1 reads, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith asks us to put our trust in something more profound. It asks us to place our hope in a personal walk with God. It is believing and knowing that the Holy Spirit has come to dwell within your heart through the acceptance of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son (Ephesians 1:13).

Faith means we are willing to know and love God without having all the answers (Proverbs 3:5-6). It means we profess Christ as Lord and diligently work at shaping our lives through Prayer, studying His Word, and our Daily Walk with Him and humanity. Sheryl Cooper has often stated that our faith is “an outward expression of our inward transformation.” With that she goes further, saying that as we walk with Him, He simply asks that we “Show Up!”

Faith is also the willingness to persevere. To stand firm, keeping our eyes on Christ even amid the storm (Hebrews 12:2). Peter’s faith was tested as he walked upon the water. When he kept his eyes on Christ, he stayed above the water. However, when he instead focused on the circumstances, he began to sink (Matthew 14:22-33). Our faith will be tested as well. Trials and temptations require us to find and use the incredible resources He has given us to keep our eyes fixed on Him.

“2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

Christ calls us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. By doing so, all our needs will be met. He then goes on to say, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:33-34) Using your days wisely – living faithfully in the current moment – make each day better than the last. The day will come when trust, action, and perseverance will lead to great reward (Galatians 6:9).

Wrapping this up, it is important to remember that fear draws us closer to that which we fear, and faith does the same. Which do you choose? Fear in the unknown – spending your days worrying about what is to come? Or Faith in the promises made by our Creator – growing closer and wiser in His ways and Word? There’s a vast difference between a life driven by Fear and one guided by Faith. We are watching the characteristics of both play out on the world’s stage.

With a “sound mind,” we should heed the direction and recommendations of medical professionals. Be thankful for the knowledge and insight at the forefront of the COVID-19 discussion. Be mindful of methods that help to remedy the problem, but do so with a faithful heart. Get creative. Find methods to uplift and support others during this time. Instead of stockpiling, make sure your fellow neighbors’ needs are also being met. Find ways to raise spirits and encourage others during this ordeal.

We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) to a world that now more than ever is searching for the answers. Are you ready to share that answer? Are you ready to present Faith as the ONLY alternative to Fear? Are you ready to be part of the solution, not the problem? Now is the time to shine. Now is the time to shed His Light in the Darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6).

In conclusion, Alice’s career has spanned for more than 50 years. Alice Cooper – the band – still holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, but the release of Welcome To My Nightmare, in many ways, broadened his audience and further defined Alice’s character. (Not to mention, it also introduced the character of Steven, the boy caught in this “Nightmare.”) The album, story, and characters found within are definitive moments and elements in Alice’s show and narrative. It’s an album that forever helps to define the listener’s experience album after album.

We are living in a decisive moment in history, one that will define us further as a human race. How will future generations see this moment? As a beacon of hope, where humanity comes together? or As a crucial moment, where humanity instead embraces fear and further divides the fabric of our well-being? The Holy Spirit is asking us to take Christ’s lead by representing Him through Love. The rest of the world will know we are His by our ability to share that compassion with and for others (John 13:35). Amen.

Be well (wash your hands and don’t pick your nose), and we’ll catch you next week!

Keep walkin’ in Faith and rockin’ with Alice!