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)
Hard Time
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kissin' the ground
And your friends downtown
Won't even let you sleep on the floor anymore
When you're holdin' up a cup
On a corner in the cold all night
You start to cry and wonder why
You're doin' hard time, hard time
Even your soul ain't got a dime
You're doin' hard time, hard time
Outta luck, can't make a buck
Try to run but you're stuck
In the muck of your shattered life
Like a knife through your heart tears you apart
You got no one to hold but
Your memories through the night
And you can't see the light
You're doin' hard time
You're doin' hard time, hard time
Even your soul ain't got a dime
You're doin' hard time, hard time
When you're found they push you around
You got no one to hold but
Your memories through the night
You can't see the light
You're doin' hard time
You're doin' hard time, hard time
Even your soul ain't got a dime
You're doin' hard time, hard time
When you're found they push you around
You got no one to hold but
Your memories through the night
You can't see the light
The lyrics of Ratt's "Hard Time" describe the experience of being down on one's luck and struggling to make ends meet. The song addresses the feelings of frustration, hopelessness and isolation that come with financial hardship, emphasizing the challenge of overcoming such adversity. The opening lines of the song position the listener as someone who has hit rock bottom, someone who is sleeping on the street and begging for change. The use of the phrase "kissin' the ground" paints a vivid picture of the character's desperation, as they are forced to resort to the most degrading means of survival.
The chorus of the song, "You're doin' hard time," speaks to the sense of entrapment and imprisonment that come with poverty. The use of the phrase "even your soul ain't got a dime" highlights the idea that the struggle extends beyond just the financial realm, taking an emotional and psychological toll on the individual as well. The second verse adds to the despair of the first, painting the picture of someone who can't seem to catch a break no matter how hard they try. The repetition of the phrase "you're doin' hard time" reinforces the idea that financial hardship is like a prison sentence, with no clear end in sight.
Overall, Ratt's "Hard Time" is a powerful anthem for anyone who has struggled to make ends meet in tough economic times. The lyrics are a reminder that, despite one's circumstances, it's important to keep pushing forward and never give up hope.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're down
When you feel defeated and hopeless
Kissin' the ground
Metaphorically falling so hard that you end up on the ground
And your friends downtown
The people you typically turn to for help
Won't even let you sleep on the floor anymore
You've worn out your welcome and are no longer welcome there
When you're holdin' up a cup
Begging for change
On a corner in the cold all night
Being out in the elements with no shelter all night long
You start to cry and wonder why
You become so overwhelmed with sorrow that you question why you even bother to try
Outta luck, can't make a buck
Luck isn't on your side and you're unable to find any work
Try to run but you're stuck
You try to get away from your problems but they keep following you
In the muck of your shattered life
Your life is in such disarray that you feel as though you are stuck in mud
Like a knife through your heart tears you apart
The emotional pain you are experiencing is unbearable
You got no one to hold but
You have no one to turn to for comfort
Your memories through the night
All you have left are memories of how things used to be
And you can't see the light
You can't see any hope or positivity in your situation
When you're found they push you around
You are treated poorly and disrespected when others realize how down on your luck you are
Even your soul ain't got a dime
You are so destitute that your very being feels depleted
You're doin' hard time, hard time
You are in a constant state of hardship and struggle
You're doin' hard time
Emphasizing that you are in a state of imprisonment due to your circumstances
You're doin' hard time, hard time
Repeating the line reiterates how difficult your current situation is
Even your soul ain't got a dime
Reinforcing how completely drained of resources you are
You're doin' hard time, hard time
The refrain and repetition emphasize just how truly difficult your situation is
When you're found they push you around
Even when others should be helping or supporting you, they instead treat you poorly
You got no one to hold but
Emphasizing how truly alone you feel
Your memories through the night
Continuing to emphasize that all you have are memories of better times
You can't see the light
Reinforcing how bleak your situation appears to be
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WARREN DE MARTINI, STEPHEN E PEARCY, DESMOND CHILD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind