Smokin' in the Boys Room

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew’s spinning a classic today with Mötley Crüe’s “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” from their 1985 album Theatre of Pain. This track’s got some wild stories behind it. Did you know it’s a cover of a 1973 hit by Brownsville Station? The Crüe’s version, though, took it to new heights, hitting #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming their first Top 40 single. The song was a game-changer for the band, suggested by frontman Vince Neil, who’d played it with his old band Rock Candy. Neil pushed for the cover when Theatre of Pain was shaping up weaker than their previous work, and it paid off, helping the album go quadruple platinum. The band used to jam this tune during soundchecks, loving its rebellious vibe so much they made it their own.

Here’s a juicy bit of trivia: the harmonica solo in the Crüe’s version wasn’t entirely Vince Neil’s, despite the credits. Session musician Mickey Raphael, a harmonica legend who’s worked with Willie Nelson, laid down most of the solo. Raphael revealed in a 2017 Sun Herald interview that Neil only played the final note, yet snagged the full credit—and even an award for “Best Heavy Metal Instrumentalist” that year! Raphael was cool about it, but it’s a classic rock ‘n’ roll tale of credits gone wild. The music video’s another gem, featuring horror icon Michael Berryman as a creepy principal. Directed by Wayne Isham, it tells the story of a kid named Jimmy who’s pulled through a bathroom mirror by the Crüe to see a dystopian school. It was a hit on MTV but caught flak from Tipper Gore’s PMRC for being a bad influence. Oh, and Nikki Sixx wasn’t thrilled about playing it live every night, calling it “stupid” in The Dirt, but the fans loved it!

Let’s rewind to how Mötley Crüe got their start. Formed in Hollywood, California, in 1981, the band came together when bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee linked up. They recruited guitarist Mick Mars and, after some convincing, lured Vince Neil from Rock Candy. Neil wasn’t keen at first—his band was shifting to new wave, but Sixx and Lee’s persistence paid off. The Crüe’s early days were pure chaos, playing Sunset Strip clubs with wild theatrics like setting Sixx’s pants on fire mid-show. Their debut album, Too Fast for Love, dropped in 1981 on their own Leathür Records, selling a surprising 20,000 copies. That grit and DIY spirit caught Elektra Records’ attention, and by 1983’s Shout at the Devil, they were global stars, known for their hedonistic lifestyle and glam-metal swagger.

Want to dive deeper into the Crüe’s world? Check out their official site at motley.com for tour dates and merch. They’re active on socials, too—follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates. Fans are all over the place, with groups like the Mötley Crüe Fans on Facebook buzzing with discussions and rare photos. For fan-run sites, motleycrue.com (not to be confused with the official site) has a killer archive of band history, and Cruetifyme is a go-to for setlists and tour news. So, crank up “Smokin’ in the Boys Room,” Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the party rockin’!