Ratt released a self-titled mini-album in 1983 on a local label, the release now often known as just 'Ratt', and they struck up a close personal friendship with members of Mötley Crüe, friendly rivals that shared the same hard partying lifestyle. The aforementioned glam metal scene of southern California brought the fledgling band major inspiration. Ratt then made their breakthrough with their first full studio album, 'Out of the Cellar', which stayed in the Billboard Top 20 for six months. Single "Round and Round" became the signature song of the group. The album has since been certified as multi-platinum by the RIAA and continues to be loved by many metal fans.
They toured with Ozzy Osbourne before joining a Billy Squier jaunt, where they were apparently 'thrown off' because they were more popular than the headline act. Their subsequent output has seen them follow a familiar arena-friendly hard rock route, with accusations over sexist videos contrasting with their ability to sell out concert halls and produce recordings that regularly received platinum and gold certifications. In particular, their highly successful sophomore album, 'Invasion of Your Privacy', proved that they were no "one album wonder".
Still, the changing musical zeitgeist would not be kind to groups such as Ratt, with grunge and alternative rock seizing the spotlight. Ratt's 1990 release 'Detonator' featured several songs co-written with Desmond Child, known for his previous work with Alice Cooper and Bon Jovi among others, and it proved their most adventurous recording to date in some ways. Yet the group's success had clearly waned, and the years on the road had contributed to conflict within the band. Crosby would depart after the September 1991 release of compilation album 'Ratt & Roll 81-91'. In 1993, Pearcy unveiled his new solo outfit, Arcade, confirming the dissolution of the band.
Though the band reformed with a new self-titled album in 1999, also known as Ratt (1999). Pearcy would leave Ratt again not long after, unhappy with the album's sound and the musical chemistry within the band. Original guitarist Robbin Crosby's passing in 2002 caused many fans to fear that the group was gone for good. Nonetheless, the band re-united in 2007 for a successful tour with fellow 80s rockers Poison.
The band toured throughout the latter half of the 00s, as retro interests caused a general popular resurgence of 80s musical and culture, and hopes for a new album grew. Ratt went back into the studios minus original guitarist Robbin Crosby. He had died some years earlier brought on by the long and public battle he waged against drugs, having gotten AIDS from sharing needles. His last television interview was with VH1's 'Behind The Music' program, in which the rocker stated: "Don't feel sorry for me. Don't cry for me at my funeral. I've lived the life of ten men. I've been very lucky."
Ratt released a new album in 2010, titled 'Infestation', with Pearcy on the vocals. A commercial and critical comeback, fans rejoiced at the energetic metal sound. The release hit the #30 slot on the Billboard 200 album chart. It was also the first album since the death of Crosby in 2002.
On October 26, 2010, Ratt announced that the band would be going on indefinite hiatus due to internal tensions.
Reunion with Croucier and second departure of Pearcy (2012–2015)
In January 2012, Pearcy said Ratt was in the process of writing material for a new album, planned to be released that summer. On March 22, bassist Robbie Crane announced his departure from Ratt to focus on Lynch Mob. In April 2012, rumors arose original bassist Juan Croucier would rejoin the band that summer; these rumors were confirmed when Croucier played with Ratt at the M3 festival on May 12.
On April 24, 2014, Pearcy announced that he had left the band again, explaining he was "officially done with having anything to do with them due to the constant turmoil, unresolved business, personal attacks/threats in the public forum, and most of all, the disrespect to the fans."
Legal issues and two versions of Ratt again (2015–2018)
In June 2015, Blotzer formed a band called Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Experience. In August 2015, Croucier formed a touring band that played Ratt's deep cuts, with the band debuting in September.
In September 2015, Blotzer took over control of WBS, a company he set up with DeMartini and Pearcy in 1997 to handle RATT business, over the objection of DeMartini and announced that he had "taken control" of Ratt and his Ratt Experience lineup was the real Ratt and would be embarking a tour in 2016 titled the American Made Re-Invasion Tour.
Until early 2017, Blotzer toured using the name Ratt. The 2016 Re-Invasion tour took Ratt throughout North America. Their tour also took them to the UK, including Hard Rock Hell and London.
Ratt's "New Breed" and unknown future (2018–current)
On June 1, 2018, it was announced by vocalist Pearcy that Ratt would move forward with him and bassist Croucier. It was confirmed that DeMartini had departed from Ratt, with Cavazo and Degrasso following. On July 5, 2018, it was revealed that Pearcy and Croucier would be joined by Black 'N Blue drummer Pete Holmes and guitarists Jordan Ziff and Chris Sanders. In February 2020, guitarist Chris Sanders announced his departure from the band, along with announcing his retirement from the music industry.
In March 2020, the band announced they would be embarking on the Big Rock Summer Tour starting in June, along with Tom Keifer, Skid Row, and Slaughter. On June 17, the tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after, it was announced that all Ratt shows in 2020 were rescheduled for 2021.
In January 2021, Pearcy expressed interest in making one final Ratt album with all the remaining original members. On June 26, Ratt announced the addition of guitarist Frankie Lindia of David Lee Roth's solo band, replacing Chris Sanders.
In September 2022, Pearcy revealed that he would only want to continue Ratt with the remaining classic-era bandmates, but that "it's not gonna happen". He said reuniting with the members would be "all business pretty much", but that "there's no business in the Ratt camp". He also revealed he regretted touring as Ratt with only Croucier from the classic lineup and that he would be continuing to play Ratt songs with his solo band
Website: http://www.therattpack.com/
Discography
Ratt (EP - 1983)
Out of the Cellar (1984)
Invasion of Your Privacy (1985)
Dancing Undercover (1986)
Reach for the Sky (1988)
Detonator (1990)
Ratt & Roll 81-91 (1991)
Ratt (1999)
Infestation (2010)
Givin' Yourself Away
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say you don't care
You say that your heart
Ain't got no room for me there
You say you don't need me
But I know that it's just a lie
'Cause when you call me in the night
Tellin' me your life is better off without me
Tellin' me you don't ever think about me...
Hey, you're givin' yourself away
It's there in every move you make
You can't hide your heartache away
Hey, it's somethin' you don't have to say
It's written in the tears on your face
I see through the part that you play
Your givin' yourself away...
Your givin' yourself away...
It doesn't matter what you say
Your givin' yourself away...
Your givin' yourself away...
So you got all your freedom
And you got all your time
So you got the illusion that your doin' fine
So you smile in the mirror
Through the sadness your smile can't disguise
Why don't you come right out and say
Baby you can't take another day without me
You know I'm runnin' through your blood
You need me like a drug and you can't live without me...
Hey, you're givin' yourself away
It's there in every move you make
You can't hide your heartache away
Hey, it's somethin' you don't have to say
It's written in the tears on your face
I see through the part that you play
Your givin' yourself away...
Your givin' yourself away...
It doesn't matter what you say
Your givin' yourself away...
Your givin' yourself away...
And when you call me in the night
Tellin' me your life is better off without me
I know that you're lyin' there alone
Baby cause I know you can't live without me
In Ratt's song Givin' Yourself Away, the lyrics revolve around the singer's effort to convince their ex-partner to stop pretending that they are over the break-up and that they have moved on. The first verse paints a picture of the partner telling the singer that they do not want or need them, but when they call in the middle of the night, they reveal how their life is better with them. The chorus repeats the title phrase "You're giving yourself away," highlighting the idea that their pain and emotions are evident in their every move and word. The second verse urges the partner to come out of hiding and admit to needing the singer since the pain is visible through the smile that cannot cover the sadness.
The song offers insight into how difficult it can be to move on from a break-up, and how some people may try to mask their pain and cover it up with an illusion of happiness. The lyrics suggest that while it is possible to move on, it is not possible to do so alone, and pretending only leads to more hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you don't want me
You claim to not have any desire for me
You say you don't care
You say that you are indifferent to me
You say that your heart Ain't got no room for me there
You assert that your heart has no place for me in it
You say you don't need me But I know that it's just a lie
You profess that you do not require me in your life, but I recognize that it is a falsehood
'Cause when you call me in the night Tellin' me your life is better off without me How come you're sleepin' all alone Tellin' me you don't ever think about me...
As you reach out to me in the evening, declaring that your existence has improved since removing me from it, I am curious as to why you slumber on your own while also conveying to me that I never cross your mind.
Hey, you're givin' yourself away It's there in every move you make You can't hide your heartache away Hey, it's somethin' you don't have to say It's written in the tears on your face I see through the part that you play Your givin' yourself away... Your givin' yourself away... It doesn't matter what you say Your givin' yourself away... Your givin' yourself away...
You should be mindful that you expose your true emotions with every gesture you make, and that you cannot conceal the emotional pain that you feel. Your demonstration of inner turmoil is observable in the tears streaking down your cheeks, and I see through the facade you maintain. Your true feelings are plainly evident regardless of what you claim, and it is evident that you are falling apart.
So you got all your freedom And you got all your time So you got the illusion that your doin' fine So you smile in the mirror Through the sadness your smile can't disguise Why don't you come right out and say Baby you can't take another day without me You know I'm runnin' through your blood You need me like a drug and you can't live without me...
You enjoy the perception of independence and abundance of free time, which gives you the impression that you are thriving. However, when you gaze into your own reflection, the sorrow within remains apparent. Why don't you simply articulate the truth, that living without me for any additional period of time is unbearable? I am thoroughly entwined within you, running through your veins like an addictive substance, which makes it impossible for you to survive without me.
And when you call me in the night Tellin' me your life is better off without me I know that you're lyin' there alone Baby cause I know you can't live without me
When you contact me at night, expressing how much happier your existence is devoid of me, I am already aware that you are laying in bed by yourself since you cannot bear to be apart from me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Realsongs
Written by: DESMOND CHILD, STEPHEN E PEARCY, DIANE EVE WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind