Dr. Feelgood

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Dr. Feelgood" by Mötley Crüe, a track from their iconic 1989 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the vibe. This song, a gritty anthem about a drug dealer on the LA Sunset Strip, was a game-changer for the band, marking a shift to a funk-rock groove with more sophisticated lyrics. According to Vince Neil in a 2009 Rolling Stone interview, the song’s infectious “bomp bomp bomp bomp” intro made it an instant classic, a sentiment echoed when it ranked 15th on VH1’s Greatest Hard Rock Songs list. Nikki Sixx revealed the song originally had a completely different set of lyrics with a unique theme, only later evolving into the drug dealer narrative inspired by his experiences with multiple suppliers in Los Angeles. The track’s main riff, crafted by Mick Mars, gave Sixx the melody for the iconic line, “He’s the one they call Dr. Feelgood,” cementing its place as the band’s only U.S. gold single.

Behind the scenes, the recording of "Dr. Feelgood" was a wild ride, as producer Bob Rock shared in a Blender magazine interview. He described the band as “four LA bad asses who used to drink a bottle of wine and want to kill each other,” leading him to have each member record their parts separately to avoid chaos. The song also boasts star-studded backing vocals from Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, who was recording Pump in the same Vancouver studio, alongside contributions from Bryan Adams, Skid Row, Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen, and Night Ranger’s Jack Blades. Interestingly, the intro track “T.n.T. (Terror ‘n Tinseltown)” samples a woman saying, “Dr. Davis, telephone please,” a nod also used by Queensrÿche in their 1988 song “Eyes of a Stranger.” Social media posts from @HeavyMetal_999 on August 28, 2023, and @circusrockmag on September 6, 2024, highlight the song’s enduring legacy, noting its release as the lead single and its role in the album’s six-times platinum status.

Mötley Crüe formed in Los Angeles in 1981, born from the raw energy of the Sunset Strip’s sleazy rock scene. Bassist Nikki Sixx, fresh from his time with the band London, teamed up with drummer Tommy Lee, who was playing in a local cover band. They recruited guitarist Mick Mars, a seasoned musician with a bluesy edge, and vocalist Vince Neil, whose high-pitched wail and stage charisma completed the lineup. As detailed on their Wikipedia bio, the band’s name came from a suggestion by Mars, inspired by a term he’d heard describing a wild, motley crew. Their early days were marked by relentless gigging at clubs like the Starwood and Whisky a Go Go, where their provocative lyrics and theatrical live shows—think leather, pyrotechnics, and raw attitude—built a cult following. Their 1981 debut album, Too Fast for Love, recorded on a shoestring budget and initially released on their own Leathür Records, captured their gritty sound and launched them into the emerging glam metal scene.

The band’s rise wasn’t without turbulence, as their hedonistic lifestyle led to near-fatal incidents, including Sixx’s 1987 heroin overdose and Neil’s 1984 car accident that killed Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle. Yet, their commitment to sobriety before recording Dr. Feelgood marked a turning point, resulting in their best-selling album, which hit number one on the Billboard 200. You can dive deeper into their world on their official website, follow their updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of Dr. Feelgood with a post about its 154-show world tour. Fans, or “Crüeheads,” connect on sites like Mötley Crüe’s official fan club and Facebook groups like Mötley Crüe Fans, sharing memories and rare photos. For vinyl junkies, the Mötley Crüe Store offers exclusive Dr. Feelgood anniversary merch, from splatter vinyl to caduceus tees, perfect for any Zoo Freak craving that retro vibe.