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)
Look Out Below
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better watch your back
Better watch your back
Spin in circles
Get me off this track
And there's no Angel
She's back in blackBack in black
No she's a devil
But I like that ass
Does it make you ever want to stop?
Times a wasting give it all of a lot
Give it all
Look out below look straight ahead
You better watch your back or you'll end up dead
You gotta live a little
You gotta love a lot
Gotta love a lot
When you're in trouble
Give it all you got
You drive me crazy
And you're all I need
You're all I need
No one better
When you're on your knees
Do you ever really want to talk?
Times a wasting give it all of a lot
Give it all
Look out below look straight ahead
You better watch your back or you'll end up dead
So look out below look straight ahead
You better watch your ass 'cause I'm in your head
You don't make me feel wanted
You just make me feel bad
You don't make me feel anything
You're just making me mad
So mad
Does it make you ever want to stop?
Times a wasting give it all of a lot
Give it all
Look out below look straight ahead
You'd better watch your back or you'll end up dead
So look out below look straight ahead
You'd better watch your ass 'cause I'm in your head
Look out below
'Cause I'm in your head
Or you'll end up dead
Look out below
'Cause you busting your head
You're going to end up dead yeah
The lyrics to Ratt's song "Look Out Below" are about living life to the fullest, taking risks, and not letting opportunity pass you by. The opening line, "Your times a wasting, you better watch your back," sets the tone for the rest of the song which encourages the listener to live life with gusto and not hold back. The verses describe the excitement and danger of taking risks, urging the listener to "give it all you got" when faced with trouble or difficulty. The song also touches on the idea of temptation, with the line "No, she's a devil, but I like that ass," implying that sometimes the most alluring things are also the most dangerous.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Look out below, look straight ahead" as a warning to be cautious but also to keep moving forward. The final verse shifts the focus to a relationship, with the singer saying that he doesn't feel wanted or anything positive when he is with his partner. Instead, he feels anger and frustration, which is a departure from the rest of the song's message of living life to the fullest.
Overall, "Look Out Below" is a celebration of taking risks, living boldly, and not letting fear hold you back. However, it also touches on the idea that not all risks pay off, and that sometimes we can be let down by people or situations that don't live up to our expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Your times a wasting
Don't waste your time
You better watch your back
Be aware of your surroundings
Better watch your back
Be alert about the dangers around you
Spin in circles
Running in circles, not making any progress
Get me off this track
Help me get out of this situation
And there's no Angel
There is no savior
She's back in black
She's evil
Back in black
Evil again
No she's a devil
She's wicked
But I like that ass
But I find her attractive
Does it make you ever want to stop?
Do you feel like giving up?
Times a wasting give it all of a lot
Don't waste any more time, give your best effort
Give it all
Give it everything you've got
Look out below look straight ahead
Be cautious and look ahead
You better watch your back or you'll end up dead
If you're not careful, you may come to harm
You gotta live a little
You need to enjoy life
You gotta love a lot
You need to love deeply
Gotta love a lot
You need to give love generously
When you're in trouble
When you're facing difficulties
Give it all you got
Do your best
You drive me crazy
You make me insane
And you're all I need
You're all important to me
No one better
No one else is better
When you're on your knees
When you're in a vulnerable position
Do you ever really want to talk?
Do you ever really want to communicate?
You don't make me feel wanted
You don't make me feel needed
You just make me feel bad
You only make me feel negative emotions
You don't make me feel anything
You don't make me feel anything at all
You're just making me mad
You're only making me angry
So mad
Extremely angry
You'd better watch your ass 'cause I'm in your head
Be careful or I'll cause you trouble
Look out below
Be careful
'Cause I'm in your head
Because I know your thoughts
Or you'll end up dead
Or something bad will happen
You're going to end up dead yeah
You will face consequences if you're not careful
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Elvis Baskette, Robert Blotzer, Stephen Pearcy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stratamaster78
Your times a wasting
You better watch your back
Better watch your back
Spin in circles
Get me off this track
And there's no Angel
She's back in black
Back in black
No she's a devil
But I like that ass
Does it make you ever want to stop?
Times a wasting give it all of a lot
Give it all
Look out below look straight ahead
You better watch your back or you'll end up dead
You gotta live a little
You gotta love a lot
Gotta love a lot
When you're in trouble
Give it all you got
You drive me crazy
And you're all I need
You're all I need
No one better
When you're on your knees
Do you ever really want to talk?
Times a wasting give it all of a lot
Give it all
Look out below look straight ahead
You better watch your back or you'll end up dead
So look out below look straight ahead
You better watch your ass 'cause I'm in your head
You don't make me feel wanted
You just make me feel bad
You don't make me feel anything
You're just making me mad
So mad
Does it make you ever want to stop?
Times a wasting give it all of a lot
Give it all
Look out below look straight ahead
You'd better watch your back or you'll end up dead
So look out below look straight ahead
You'd better watch your ass 'cause I'm in your head
Look out below
'Cause I'm in your head
Or you'll end up dead
Look out below
'Cause you busting your head
You're going to end up dead yeah
@Robbieschristianchannel
This album is the best of Ratt I've heard so far. I loved their older stuff but this style is much better more in tune and shows off Stephens voice for sure.
@redodesigns
Probably THE BEST Ratt album ever...
@mr.healey7146
AHH the sounds of rock from this era. Ratt has brought back to us the sound of 80's rock!! Absolutely awesome!
@grmreaper1414
I want these days back!!!!!
@neilevan7870
The drum mix on this album really made it.
@Cookie-hg4xb
I can't believe I have only just found this album. A huge fan of RATT through the 80's and I like what I'm hearing here , this album is fucking awesome.
@stingraybeach572
Every Ratt intro kicked ass. And another thing - this album cover art is WICKED!!
@500erider
I have the one with all the band members' autographs. If you pre-ordered the record by a certain date, you got that. It is a treasure to me !!!!!!!!
@simpap7838
Best song of the album by far
@mantecaasada_gg5172
A masterpiece.