Get ready to lie down with Alice Cooper on a bed of pure hard rock bliss.
The Song
"Bed of Nails" is the sixth track and fourth single from Alice Cooper's highly successful 1989 album, Trash. Released as a single in September 1989, it quickly became a fan favorite and a staple of his live shows. The song was co-written by Alice Cooper, Desmond Child, Diane Warren, and Kane Roberts, with Desmond Child also handling the production. The track features a driving hard rock sound with prominent guitar parts created by Kane Roberts during the studio recording.
The Artist
Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier, is an American rock singer, songwriter, and musician whose career has spanned over five decades. Known as "The Godfather of Shock Rock," Cooper pioneered a theatrical and often macabre brand of heavy metal, drawing inspiration from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock. He legally changed his name to Alice Cooper in 1975 to avoid legal complications regarding the band name ownership, paying a yearly royalty to his original bandmates for its commercial use. His elaborate stage shows are legendary, incorporating elements like guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, and boa constrictors.
Chart Performance
While "Bed of Nails" was not released as a single in the United States, it achieved significant success internationally. It was the second most successful single from the Trash album, following the massive hit "Poison." The song charted at number 38 in the UK Singles Chart, spending five weeks on the chart. In Australia, it performed even better, reaching number 13 on the singles chart.
Cultural Impact
"Bed of Nails" solidified Alice Cooper's resurgence in the late 1980s, an era often associated with glam metal and hard rock, genres in which the song comfortably fits. Its inclusion on the multi-platinum album Trash helped reintroduce Cooper to a new generation of rock fans while satisfying his long-time followers. The song's provocative title and imagery are classic Alice Cooper, contributing to his enduring legacy as a master of shock and spectacle.
The phrase "bed of nails" itself has a long history, originating from ancient Indian mysticism and yogic traditions, where it symbolized asceticism and spiritual discipline. While the song uses the imagery for its shock value and a metaphor for intense romantic connection, the cultural concept of a bed of nails as a test of endurance and mind over matter has been adopted and reinterpreted across various cultures, including its modern use in acupressure mats for relaxation and healing.
Fun Facts
- Kane Roberts, who co-wrote "Bed of Nails," is also credited for creating the guitar parts for the studio recording.
- The music video for "Bed of Nails" was directed by Nigel Dick, a prolific director who has worked with many prominent artists.
- The video features Alice Cooper performing on a grated platform in front of a red backdrop, with a model in bondage attire dancing, and culminates with Cooper appearing among large nails that form a bed.
- The song has been covered by several bands, including Children of Bodom on their 2004 EP Trashed, Lost, and Strungout' and by Van Canto on their 2011 album Break the Silence.
- "Bed of Nails" remains a regular feature in Alice Cooper's live performances, having been played over 500 times in concert.