Get ready to welcome back the ultimate horror icon with the legendary shock rock king!
The Song
"He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" is a hard rock and pop metal anthem by American rock musician Alice Cooper, released in 1986. It served as the lead single from his ninth solo studio album, Constrictor, and most famously as the theme song for the horror film Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. The song perfectly captures the essence of the Friday the 13th series, even incorporating the iconic "ki-ki-ki ma-ma-ma" sound effect (often misheard as "ch-ch-ch, ha-ha-ha") that is a trademark of the franchise.
The lyrics of "He's Back" directly follow the plot of the movie, celebrating the return of the villain Jason Voorhees, who had been seemingly killed off in the fourth film and was largely absent from the fifth installment. Cooper also contributed two other tracks to the film, "Teenage Frankenstein" (also from Constrictor) and the unreleased "Hard Rock Summer." Producers for the track included Michael Wagener and Beau Hill, with Alice Cooper, Kane Roberts, and Tom Kelly credited as songwriters.
The Artist
Alice Cooper, born Vincent Furnier, is a pioneering force in shock rock, known for his theatrical stage shows and macabre imagery. By 1986, Cooper was looking to revitalize his career, which had seen some fluctuations. His collaboration with guitarist Kane Roberts and producers Beau Hill and Michael Wagener on the Constrictor album marked a return to his signature outrageous image.
The decision to team up with the Friday the 13th franchise was a strategic move, aligning two pop culture icons known for shocking audiences. Cooper's involvement brought his distinct brand of horror-infused rock to a new generation of slasher film enthusiasts, solidifying his status as a master of the macabre.
Chart Performance
"He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" achieved minor chart success upon its release. In the UK, the single reached a peak position of 61 on the Official Singles Chart. While not a massive commercial hit, its popularity among fans of Cooper's later work and slasher film enthusiasts ensured its enduring legacy.
Cultural Impact
The song and its accompanying video played a significant role in the cultural landscape of the mid-1980s, particularly within the horror genre. It is widely considered to perfectly encapsulate the Friday the 13th films and the era in which they rose to prominence. The collaboration between Alice Cooper and Jason Voorhees was seen as an ingenious marketing move, bringing together two figures who had both shocked audiences and made an impact on popular culture.
The music video received substantial airplay on rock shows like Headbangers Ball and The Power Hour, further cementing the song's place in popular culture and contributing to the resurgence of the slasher film genre in the mainstream. The track's inclusion in a major horror film soundtrack also highlighted the growing trend of musical artists directly contributing to and promoting cinematic releases.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "He's Back" ingeniously combines clips from Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives with original footage of Alice Cooper performing.
- The video features C.J. Graham, who portrayed Jason Voorhees in the film, terrorizing teenagers at a midnight showing of Jason Lives.
- The concept for the music video was developed by Keith Williams and directed by Jeffrey Abelson.
- For many years, the music video was not available on any home media release of the film until it was included as a bonus feature on Shout Factory's Friday the 13th deluxe box set in 2020.
- The B-side of the 7-inch single featured a "live" version of "Billion Dollar Babies," which was actually a studio recording from a 1981 TV special, remixed with crowd noise in 1986.
- A demo version of the song, described as "slightly rockier and much more upbeat," was included in the four-disc retrospective boxed set, The Life and Crimes of Alice Cooper.