Home Sweet Home

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Home Sweet Home" by Mötley Crüe from their 1985 album Theatre of Pain, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This song, a cornerstone of the power ballad genre, has a fascinating backstory. Born in the studio when drummer Tommy Lee played a random piano lick and vocalist Vince Neil started humming along, the song captured the band's longing for home after an 18-month tour supporting their 1983 album Shout at the Devil. Bassist Nikki Sixx, who penned the lyrics, later shared in the 2016 documentary Mötley Crüe: The End – Live in Los Angeles that the song reflected the irony of craving the road as a young band, only to yearn for home once out there. Sixx’s heroin addiction was at its peak during the filming of the song’s video, where he was so out of it that he wandered under a stage, talking to an imaginary person about “family, music, and death.” The video, directed by Wayne Isham, featured horror icon Michael Berryman, who also appeared in the band’s “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” video, adding a quirky connection to the horror genre.

Another tidbit comes from the song’s reception. Some fans and critics weren’t thrilled about Mötley Crüe diving into a softer sound, with Sixx himself noting in a 1985 interview that the band was accused of “wimping out” after being labeled as everything from Satan-worshippers to mass murderers for earlier work. Despite this, “Home Sweet Home” became a hit, peaking at No. 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985, with a remixed version hitting No. 37 in 1992. The song’s influence is undeniable, inspiring covers by artists like Carrie Underwood, who took it to No. 21 on the country charts in 2009, and Linkin Park. Posts on X from accounts like @MonstersOfRock and @RockTheseTweets highlight its enduring legacy, with fans reminiscing about its heavy MTV rotation in the ‘80s and calling it one of the greatest power ballads ever.

Mötley Crüe kicked off their wild ride in Los Angeles in 1981, founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee. The duo, already friends from the local music scene, recruited guitarist Mick Mars and singer Vince Neil to complete the lineup. Sixx, who’d played in bands like Sister and London, brought a gritty edge, while Lee’s high-energy drumming set the tone. Mars, a seasoned guitarist with a bluesy style, answered an ad in a local paper, and Neil, a charismatic frontman, was poached from a cover band after Sixx saw him perform. Their early days were pure chaos, gigging in dive bars on the Sunset Strip, where their raw energy and hedonistic lifestyle—documented in their 2001 biography The Dirt—drew a cult following. Their debut album, Too Fast for Love, released in 1981 on their own Leathür Records, sold 20,000 copies independently before Elektra Records signed them, launching them into the big leagues. The band’s mix of glam, punk, and heavy metal, paired with their notorious antics, made them icons of the ‘80s rock scene.

You can keep up with Mötley Crüe on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share updates, remastered videos, and tour news. Fans also gather on dedicated spaces like the Mötley Crüe Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant community for Crüeheads to swap stories and memorabilia. For deeper dives, check out fan sites like Mötley Crüe’s official fan community or CrueFan.com, which offer forums, news, and throwbacks to the band’s glory days. Whether you’re a longtime Zoo Freak or new to the Crüe, “Home Sweet Home” is a perfect anthem to crank up and feel the nostalgia.