I Can’t Explain

The Zoo Crew is spinning the Scorpions’ high-energy cover of I Can’t Explain, a track from their 1989 compilation album Best of Rockers 'n' Ballads, though often associated with their 1990 album Crazy World due to its performance during the album’s tour. Originally written by Pete Townshend and performed by The Who, the Scorpions’ version was recorded for the 1989 charity compilation Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell, which honored musicians lost to substance abuse, including The Who’s Keith Moon. The Scorpions’ rendition, released as a single via Polydor Records, hit No. 5 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and became a staple of their Crazy World Tour, electrifying audiences with its raw power. In a 2008 interview on their YouTube channel, guitarist Rudolf Schenker described the cover as a tribute to the rebellious spirit of rock’s early days, saying, “It’s got that fire, that untamed energy we love to bring live.” A 2018 post by @ThisDayInMETAL on X highlighted the song’s live performances, noting its role in showcasing the band’s ability to blend their signature melodic hard rock with a gritty edge.

Another layer to the song’s story comes from its recording context. The Scorpions laid down their version during the sessions for Best of Rockers 'n' Ballads, a period when they were transitioning from their long-time producer Dieter Dierks to Keith Olsen for Crazy World. This shift brought a less polished, more direct sound, which I Can’t Explain embodies with its driving riffs and Klaus Meine’s intense vocals. A fan on Reddit in 2024 shared a story about discovering the Scorpions through this cover, describing it as “a punchy, in-your-face track that hooked me instantly.” The song’s inclusion in the Moscow Music Peace Festival’s compilation tied it to a historic moment, as the 1989 event aimed to promote anti-drug messages, with the Scorpions performing alongside bands like Bon Jovi. Matthias Jabs, in a 2009 Wikitubia interview, recalled the festival’s chaotic energy, saying, “We poured everything into that cover to capture the moment.”

The Scorpions, formed in Hanover, Germany, in 1965, were sparked by guitarist Rudolf Schenker’s vision of creating a hard rock band with global reach. Schenker, joined by vocalist Klaus Meine in 1969, built the band’s foundation with a relentless drive to perform. Their early days were gritty, hauling gear through post-war Hanover streets, as noted on their official website. The trio of Schenker, Meine, and lead guitarist Matthias Jabs, who joined in 1978, solidified the lineup that would propel them to fame. Their debut album, Lonesome Crow, released in 1972 via Brain Records, showcased a raw, psychedelic edge, but it was their 1970s albums with producer Dieter Dierks, like In Trance and Lovedrive, that honed their melodic hard rock sound. By 1979, they cracked the U.S. Billboard charts with Lovedrive, and their 1980s anthems like Rock You Like a Hurricane cemented their status as heavy metal pioneers. The band’s persistence, as Meine reflected in a 2007 podcast, stemmed from “a hunger to prove German rock could stand tall internationally.”

Today, the Scorpions remain active, with Paweł Mąciwoda on bass since 2003 and Mikkey Dee on drums since 2016. Their Facebook page, with millions of followers, buzzes with tour updates and fan tributes, while their Instagram shares behind-the-scenes glimpses and throwback photos. On X, they engage fans with song showdowns and residency news, like the 2025 postponement of their Las Vegas shows due to Dee’s recovery. Fans connect through The Scorpions Community, a hub for earning points toward merch and contests, and Facebook groups like the Scorpions Fan Club, where Zoo Freaks might swap stories about I Can’t Explain or the Crazy World era. These platforms keep the band’s legacy alive, proving their enduring appeal, as Schenker once said, “Rock isn’t just music—it’s a way of life.”