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)
In Your Direction
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm cursed with your heart's perfection
Well, said it's right to believe
Well, months and days, they slowly pass
I'm not waitin' for you
You turned me 'round in your direction
I'm lookin' for you, yeah
[Chorus]
You spin me your way, in your direction
You pull me your way, in your direction
Well, city lights are shinin' on me
Well, said it's time to go
Abusin' you all across the country
Said I feel hot coals, yeah
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of Ratt's song In Your Direction are about a person who is desperately in love with someone who is about to leave them. The first verse describes the singer's realization that their time together is running out and that their partner is going to leave them. However, the singer is still infatuated with their partner and admires them for their perfection. The second half of the verse indicates that the singer believes that it is right to keep believing in their love despite the difficulties they are facing.
The following verse describes the passage of time and the singer's distress at waiting for their partner to return. However, even though they seem to have given up hope, the partner's pull is too strong and they are still in love with them. The chorus is about the power that the partner has over the singer, as they are able to spin them and pull them in their direction, no matter how far apart they are.
In summary, the lyrics of In Your Direction express the agony and powerlessness of a person who is deeply in love with someone who is leaving them. Despite their difficulties, the singer cannot resist their partner's pull and continues to hope that they will return to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I saw the time closin' in, you said you're leavin' me
I realized our time together was coming to an end, as you told me you wanted to leave
I'm cursed with your heart's perfection
Your love is so perfect that it has become a curse for me, as I can't seem to let go
Well, said it's right to believe
You assured me that it's the right decision to end our relationship
Well, months and days, they slowly pass
Time seems to drag on as I try to move on from our relationship
I'm not waitin' for you
I'm no longer willing to wait for you to come back to me
You turned me 'round in your direction
You've made me come back to you, despite my efforts to move on
I'm lookin' for you, yeah
Despite everything, I still long for you and want to find you
[Chorus]
Repeating the title of the song, emphasizing the feeling of being pulled back to the person
Well, city lights are shinin' on me
I'm surrounded by the bright lights of the city, but I can't escape my thoughts of you
Well, said it's time to go
You've made it clear that it's time for me to move on and leave you behind
Abusin' you all across the country
I've been mistreating you and causing you pain throughout our entire relationship, no matter where we are
Said I feel hot coals, yeah
I'm feeling intense pain and regret for the way I've treated you and the loss of our relationship
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the title of the song again, emphasizing the feeling of being pulled back to the person even after realizing the pain caused in the relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PEARCY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind