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 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, more like a show. Broadway show, musical film, then hard rock album.” – Bob Ezrin 

The album begins with the title track, Welcome To My Nightmare which quickly sets the tone for the entire LP – a beginning or launch point for the “Nightmare.” From there, the tale unfolds.

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

Looking back, Cooper confessed, “I’(d) 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 into a new category and arena of his own.

Observing the title track, it’s relevant to so many at different points in their lives.

Welcome to my breakdown
I hope I didn’t scare you
That’s just the way we are when we come down
We sweat and laugh and scream here
’cause life is just a dream here

You know, inside, you feel right at home here
Welcome to my breakdown, whoa
You’re welcome to my nightmare, yeah

Of course, nightmares are perceived in many ways by those that experience them, but for the most part, none of us really “like (them),” nor do we feel as if we “belong.” Instead, it usually feels as if the “breakdown” is unmerited, unwelcome, and unreal.

As we break down this concept, ask yourself some questions. What is it that we fear? What is it about a nightmare or an unwelcome scenario that we dread?

Stop and think about the headlines of any newspaper. Are they positive and uplifting, or do they point out the worst in humanity? Why are negativity and the nightmarish actions of society the things we highlight in human behavior?

Post after post fills our social media feeds; it seems the worst of humanity is always on display. People fighting over commodities, racist attacks uttered by various groups, children being subjugated to adult sexuality, etc., fill the headlines, and we wonder why the state of the world has become so hostile.

While several sites and media outlets are dedicated to uplifting topics and stories, the mainstream channels seem hellbent on keeping the human narrative as bleak as possible. Seriously, stop and think about it; how many stories are meant to have you question your neighbor and whether they can be trusted?

How are we supposed to Love one another when all hope seems lost, and we’ve been programmed only to believe the darkest stories about our fellow brothers and sisters? Do we believe in the transformative power of God, or do we think all Faith has vanished?

Again, these are tough questions, but ones that require an answer. It seems there are two sides to our existence – two alternatives to the Nightmare. We can succumb to Fear or walk forward in Faith.

FEAR.
The Bible clarifies that fear is not part of God’s plan. “Fear Not” is declared in His Word more than 100+ times. It’s NOT something He wants for His children. Instead, he wants us focused on His plans, His Power, His Wisdom, and His Love, not on the latest stories of destruction, deception, and doom.

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 hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” – 2 Timothy 1:7-10

Notice these verses state 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 typical behavior.

Fear is the root cause of many bad judgments (and mistakes that could have been avoided). However, 2 Timothy 1:7 talks about a few of the things God equips us with instead. Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.

The Holy Spirit gives us 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 we show great respect and admiration for.

FAITH.
In direct response to fear, we must stand in Faith.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

3 By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. – Hebrews 11:1-3

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 accepting 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 further 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, he began to sink when he focused instead on the circumstances (Matthew 14:22-33).

Our faith will be tested as well. Trials and temptations require us to find and use the incredible resources God 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 up this week’s post, it is essential to remember that we can choose Fear over Faith or vice versa. The question is, which do we choose?

There’s a vast difference between a life driven by Fear and one guided by Faith.

Do we fear the unknown or spend our days worrying about what will come – our Nightmares? Or do we have Faith in the promises made by our Creator?

With a “sound mind,” we should embrace the roller coaster of life with a faithful heart. Find methods to uplift and support others as they experience those same ups and downs. Make sure the needs of others are also being met.

We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) to a world constantly searching for the answers. But are we ready to share that answer? Are we prepared to present Faith as the ONLY alternative to Fear? Are we willing to be part of the solution, not the problem?

Now is the time to shine. Now is the time to shine His Light in the Darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6).

In conclusion, Alice’s career has spanned more than 50+ years. Yet, Alice Cooper – the band – still holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. Still, in many ways, the release of Welcome To My Nightmare broadened his audience, further defining Alice’s character and introducing us to the 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, and the title track is the anthem of that experience.

“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

We live in decisive moments of history that will define us further as a human race (and to future generations). How will those generations see this moment? As a beacon of hope, where humanity finally unites? or As a crucial moment, where society instead embraces fear and further divides the fabric of our well-being?

“Welcome To (Our) Nightmare.” Will we forever remain fearfully asleep, tossing and turning? Or wake up and begin sharing our Faith? Are we afraid of the future or faithful in a better tomorrow?

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

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