Only Women Bleed (Live 2016)

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy Zoo Crew spinning the hauntingly beautiful "Only Women Bleed (Live 2016)" by Alice Cooper from the album Paranormal! This track, originally from his 1975 solo debut Welcome to My Nightmare, is a soul-stirring ballad about a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, co-written with guitarist Dick Wagner. Despite its heavy theme, it’s often misunderstood—many thought it was about menstruation, a misconception that led Atlantic Records to shorten the single’s title to "Only Women" due to feminist protests in the mid-’70s. Wagner revealed in a Genius interview that the song’s melody originated in 1968 with his band The Frost, but he never liked his original lyrics. It wasn’t until he jammed with Cooper that the song found its true voice, with producer Bob Ezrin crafting its lush, orchestral sound. The 2016 live version, captured during Cooper’s Paranormal tour, showcases his raw vocal power and the emotional depth of his band, including guitarist Nita Strauss, who joined in 2014.

Fun fact: this song became a feminist anthem for some, covered by artists like Etta James and Tina Turner. Cooper shared on Nights with Alice Cooper that when the record company played it blind for folks, nobody guessed it was him—some even thought it was James Taylor! Ezrin called it a deliberate pivot from Cooper’s shock-rock image, aiming to prove he could deliver a romantic ballad with a dark twist. On Reddit, fans like u/Legless1234 rave about its live impact, noting Cooper’s heartfelt delivery. The song hit #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975 and remains one of his most covered tracks, with versions by Guns N’ Roses and Julie Covington, who took it to #12 in the UK.

Now, let’s rewind to how the Godfather of Shock Rock got his start. Born Vincent Damon Furnier on February 4, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, Cooper grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, as a preacher’s kid with a knack for theatrics. At 17, he formed a band called The Earwigs with high school pals, including Dennis Dunaway and Glen Buxton. They morphed into The Spiders, then The Nazz, before settling on the name Alice Cooper in 1968—a moniker chosen for its ironic, innocent vibe that clashed with their macabre stage antics. As Cooper told IMDb, the name wasn’t from a Ouija board or a witch’s legend, just a quirky choice to stand out. Their big break came in 1969 when Frank Zappa caught their wild show at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles and signed them to his label. After two quirky psychedelic albums, Pretties for You and Easy Action, they hit it big with 1971’s Love It to Death, produced by Bob Ezrin, featuring the anthem “I’m Eighteen.” The rest is history—guillotines, snakes, and all.

Stay connected with the Coop! Check out his official website at alicecooper.com for tour dates and merch. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, where he often shares tour snippets and throwbacks. Fans can dive deeper at SickthingsUK, a treasure trove of Alice Cooper news and history. Join the Alice Cooper Fans group on Facebook to swap stories with fellow shock-rock devotees. Keep it freaky, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the nightmare alive!