Dive into the raw, theatrical world of W.A.S.P. with a look at one of their most unique tracks!
The Song
"Scream Until You Like It" is a track by the American heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released in 1987. It notably served as the theme song for the horror-comedy film Ghoulies II. While it appeared on their live album Live... in the Raw, released in September 1987, the version featured on the album and in the video is a studio recording, not a live performance.
The song was written by Paul Sabu, Charles Esposito, and Neil Citron. Interestingly, Paul Sabu's band, Only Child, also released a version of the song, leading to some confusion about which version came first. W.A.S.P.'s rendition is a quintessential 80s heavy metal anthem, combining aggressive guitar riffs with Blackie Lawless's distinctive snarling vocals, perfectly encapsulating the band's energetic and provocative style.
The Artist
W.A.S.P. formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1982, quickly establishing themselves as a prominent act in the Sunset Strip heavy metal and glam metal scene. Founded by frontman Blackie Lawless (born Steven Duren), the band became infamous for their shock rock-themed image, provocative lyrics, and over-the-top live performances that often included theatrics like torture racks and throwing raw meat into the audience.
Their debut self-titled album in 1984, despite controversy surrounding tracks like "Animal (Fk Like a Beast)**," helped solidify their place in the heavy metal world. Over the years, W.A.S.P. has sold over 12 million records worldwide and continues to record and tour, influencing a generation of metal fans and bands.
Chart Performance
While "Scream Until You Like It" was a prominent track due to its movie tie-in, its specific chart performance as a single is not widely detailed in common chart databases. The parent album, Live... in the Raw, released in 1987, contributed to the band's ongoing presence, following previous successes.
W.A.S.P.'s album The Headless Children (1989), which followed Live... in the Raw, reached No. 48 on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking their highest chart position at the time. However, "Scream Until You Like It" itself was more of a soundtrack highlight than a major chart single.
Cultural Impact
As the theme song for Ghoulies II, "Scream Until You Like It" became intrinsically linked with the horror genre of the late 80s, a period when many heavy metal bands contributed to horror film soundtracks. This association helped expose W.A.S.P. to a broader audience beyond their dedicated metal fanbase.
The music video, featuring clips from the movie interspersed with the band's performance, further cemented this connection, becoming a memorable piece of 80s metal and horror crossover media. While Ghoulies II itself might not be a cinematic masterpiece, the song provided a potent, high-energy anthem that fans of both the band and cult horror films still appreciate.
Fun Facts
- "Scream Until You Like It" was a studio recording included on the mostly live album Live... in the Raw. This was not uncommon for live albums of that era to include new studio tracks.
- The song was specifically recorded for the Ghoulies II movie soundtrack, released in 1987.
- W.A.S.P. even performed the song on the popular British music show Top of the Pops in 1987.
- The track features the songwriting credits of Paul Sabu, Charles Esposito, and Neil Citron.
- During the Top of the Pops performance, Kelly Martella filled in on drums for W.A.S.P.