Lay It Down

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Lay It Down" by Ratt, from their 1985 album Invasion of Your Privacy, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This high-energy glam metal anthem was the first single released from the album, co-written by vocalist Stephen Pearcy, bassist Juan Croucier, and guitarists Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini. In an interview, Pearcy described the song's origin, noting it stemmed from a riff brought in by DeMartini: "It was a Warren-instigated riff. I believe when he brought that riff in, it was all over with. It was just – bam! – strong from the start." The song was demoed while the band was on vacation in Hawaii during their Out of the Cellar tour, capturing their raw, electrified sound. The lyrics, bold and suggestive, revolve around calling someone out with confidence, as Pearcy put it: "Hey, you know you want to lay it down, you know you want to get it on."

The music video for "Lay It Down" adds a nostalgic twist, featuring a young Stephen Pearcy, played by child actor Whit Hertford, at a birthday party. After blowing out his candles, he envisions his future self rocking out with Ratt in a gritty, abandoned building. The video also stars Playboy model Marianne Gravatte, who graces the album’s cover, tying the visual aesthetic together. The song climbed to No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 11 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 1985, solidifying Ratt’s place in the glam metal scene. A fun tidbit from social media: a post by @StephenEPearcy on X in February 2025 reminisced about performing "Lay It Down" live at the 1985 Donington Festival in the UK, recalling the massive crowd and even a pig’s head tossed on stage, calling it a wild memory from their Invasion of Your Privacy tour.

Ratt’s journey began in the late 1970s in San Diego, California, under the name Mickey Ratt, founded by Stephen Pearcy. The band relocated to Los Angeles in the early 1980s, diving into the vibrant Sunset Strip scene. Pearcy, inspired by the raw energy of bands like Van Halen, recruited guitarist Robbin Crosby, and later Warren DeMartini, whose technical prowess elevated their sound. Bassist Juan Croucier and drummer Bobby Blotzer rounded out the classic lineup. Their big break came with the 1983 independently released Ratt EP, which caught the attention of Atlantic Records. Their debut album, Out of the Cellar (1984), featuring the hit "Round and Round," propelled them to stardom, with the album going triple platinum. Ratt became a defining force in the 1980s glam metal movement, known for their slick riffs, catchy hooks, and unapologetic attitude.

Fans can connect with Ratt through their official website, where they share tour updates and merch. Their Facebook page keeps the community buzzing with posts about their 40th-anniversary celebrations in 2025. On Instagram, they share throwback photos and performance clips, while their X account engages with Zoo Freaks and other fans through tour announcements and memories from their heyday. For die-hard supporters, the fan-run Ratt Pack Fan Club on Facebook is a lively hub for sharing stories, rare photos, and concert experiences. Another fan site, Ratt N Roll, offers a deep dive into the band’s discography and history, perfect for any Zoo Freak looking to geek out over Ratt’s legacy.