Givin' Yourself Away

The Zoo Crew is thrilled to spin "Givin' Yourself Away" by Ratt from their 1990 album Detonator, a track that stands out as the band's only power ballad. This song, a departure from their usual gritty glam metal sound, was co-written by Ratt's frontman Stephen Pearcy, renowned songwriter Desmond Child, and Diane Warren, a powerhouse trio that crafted a radio-friendly hit aimed at capturing the waning days of the hard rock era. In a 2020 post on X, Pearcy called it one of the best Ratt songs, proudly noting the collaboration with Child and Warren, saying, “Look who I had the pleasure of writing with? Two of the best, ok three of us.” The track features lush backing keyboards and a contrived key change, designed to appeal to fans of bands like Bon Jovi, as noted in a 2021 review on mikeladano.com. Despite some fans balking at its commercial polish, the song’s emotional depth—about a man seeing through his ex-partner’s façade of moving on—resonates with its heartfelt lyrics, like “It’s written in the tears on your face.”

Another tidbit about "Givin' Yourself Away" comes from its production shift. Detonator marked a turning point for Ratt, as they parted ways with longtime producer Beau Hill and brought in Desmond Child and Arthur Payson to steer the album toward a glossier, more melodic sound. This change, detailed in a Wikipedia entry, was an attempt to recapture the band’s mid-1980s popularity. The song also benefited from the star power of Jon Bon Jovi, who provided backing vocals on another Detonator track, “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose,” reflecting the era’s collaborative spirit among glam metal giants. Pearcy’s own reflections on X in 2019, marking the album’s release, hailed the song alongside “Shame Shame Shame” as an “instant classic,” a sentiment echoed by Zoo Freaks who love its nostalgic vibe.

Ratt’s journey began in San Diego in the late 1970s when Stephen Pearcy, born July 3, 1956, formed the band Mickey Ratt in 1977, as chronicled on Wikipedia. Initially, Pearcy dreamed of becoming a top fuel race car driver, with no intention of pursuing music. However, after moving to Los Angeles, he transformed Mickey Ratt into Ratt by 1981, solidifying the lineup with guitarist Robbin Crosby, guitarist Warren DeMartini, bassist Juan Croucier, and drummer Bobby Blotzer. Playing iconic Sunset Strip venues like The Troubadour and The Whisky, Ratt built a massive local following. Their 1983 self-titled EP sold 200,000 copies, paving the way for their breakthrough album Out of the Cellar in 1984, which went five times multi-platinum, driven by the hit “Round and Round.” This success, fueled by relentless touring with acts like ZZ Top and Ozzy Osbourne, cemented Ratt’s role in shaping the early 1980s Los Angeles glam metal scene.

Today, Ratt remains active with Stephen Pearcy at the helm, and fans can stay connected through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where Pearcy frequently shares updates and throwbacks. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the official Ratt Pack Facebook group is a vibrant community where fans discuss the band’s legacy and share memorabilia. Additionally, fan-driven sites like Ratt.com offer discographies and tour updates, keeping the spirit of Ratt alive. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Zoo Crew’s airwaves, “Givin' Yourself Away” and Ratt’s storied career are a testament to their enduring influence in rock.

The Zoo Crew is thrilled to spin "Givin' Yourself Away" by Ratt from their 1990 album Detonator, a track that stands out as the band's only power ballad. This song, a departure from their usual gritty glam metal sound, was co-written by Ratt's frontman Stephen Pearcy, renowned songwriter Desmond Child, and Diane Warren, a powerhouse trio that crafted a radio-friendly hit aimed at capturing the waning days of the hard rock era. In a 2020 post on X, Pearcy called it one of the best Ratt songs, proudly noting the collaboration with Child and Warren, saying, “Look who I had the pleasure of writing with? Two of the best, ok three of us.” The track features lush backing keyboards and a contrived key change, designed to appeal to fans of bands like Bon Jovi, as noted in a 2021 review on mikeladano.com. Despite some fans balking at its commercial polish, the song’s emotional depth—about a man seeing through his ex-partner’s façade of moving on—resonates with its heartfelt lyrics, like “It’s written in the tears on your face.”

Another tidbit about "Givin' Yourself Away" comes from its production shift. Detonator marked a turning point for Ratt, as they parted ways with longtime producer Beau Hill and brought in Desmond Child and Arthur Payson to steer the album toward a glossier, more melodic sound. This change, detailed in a Wikipedia entry, was an attempt to recapture the band’s mid-1980s popularity. The song also benefited from the star power of Jon Bon Jovi, who provided backing vocals on another Detonator track, “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose,” reflecting the era’s collaborative spirit among glam metal giants. Pearcy’s own reflections on X in 2019, marking the album’s release, hailed the song alongside “Shame Shame Shame” as an “instant classic,” a sentiment echoed by Zoo Freaks who love its nostalgic vibe.

Ratt’s journey began in San Diego in the late 1970s when Stephen Pearcy, born July 3, 1956, formed the band Mickey Ratt in 1977, as chronicled on Wikipedia. Initially, Pearcy dreamed of becoming a top fuel race car driver, with no intention of pursuing music. However, after moving to Los Angeles, he transformed Mickey Ratt into Ratt by 1981, solidifying the lineup with guitarist Robbin Crosby, guitarist Warren DeMartini, bassist Juan Croucier, and drummer Bobby Blotzer. Playing iconic Sunset Strip venues like The Troubadour and The Whisky, Ratt built a massive local following. Their 1983 self-titled EP sold 200,000 copies, paving the way for their breakthrough album Out of the Cellar in 1984, which went five times multi-platinum, driven by the hit “Round and Round.” This success, fueled by relentless touring with acts like ZZ Top and Ozzy Osbourne, cemented Ratt’s role in shaping the early 1980s Los Angeles glam metal scene.

Today, Ratt remains active with Stephen Pearcy at the helm, and fans can stay connected through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where Pearcy frequently shares updates and throwbacks. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the official Ratt Pack Facebook group is a vibrant community where fans discuss the band’s legacy and share memorabilia. Additionally, fan-driven sites like Ratt.com offer discographies and tour updates, keeping the spirit of Ratt alive. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Zoo Crew’s airwaves, “Givin' Yourself Away” and Ratt’s storied career are a testament to their enduring influence in rock.