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)
Shame Shame Shame
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there's no answer
I hear the moans and groans
Of your nasty laughter
I'm kickin' in the door
As your breathin' gets faster
Your trail of clues
Is leadin' to disaster
Once I looked into your eyes
I thought they were true
Innocence can turn to lies
And now the finger points
At you, baby
Shame Shame Shame
You should've known better
Than to cheat on me
Shame Shame Shame
Now it don't matter
So let me be
You've got your own self to blame
Now it's time to feel the pain
Of your twisted little game
It's such a cryin'
Shame Shame Shame
Shame Shame Shame
Did you do your poses
In the mirror
Did you tell him
Baby, baby please
Did you twist his tongue
And bend his ear Did you have him beggin', beggin'
On his knees
Once you looked into my eyes
And told me you were mine
Now I see your cheap disguise
And you're runnin' out of time, baby
Shame Shame Shame
You should've known better
Than to cheat on me
Shame Shame Shame
Now it don't matter
So let me be
You've got your own self to blame
Now it's time to feel the pain
Of your twisted little game
It's such a cryin'
Shame Shame Shame
Shame Shame Shame
The lyrics of "Shame Shame Shame" by Ratt tell the story of a betrayed lover who has caught their partner cheating. The first verse portrays the singer's realization that their partner is with someone else, and the ensuing anger and determination to confront them. The second verse reflects on the past, when the singer had believed in their partner's love and loyalty, only to find out that they were lying. The chorus is a direct address to the cheating partner, with the singer expressing their disappointment and feeling of betrayal. The song is a classic example of '80s hair metal, with its high-energy riffs and catchy chorus.
The lyrics of "Shame Shame Shame" are an example of the classic themes of rock music, such as heartbreak, betrayal, and revenge. The song was released in 1985 as part of Ratt's second album, "Invasion of Your Privacy." The album was a commercial success, peaking at #7 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over two million copies in the United States alone. "Shame Shame Shame" was one of the most popular tracks from the album, and received extensive airplay on rock radio stations. The song's music video, which featured the band playing onstage while images of a woman cheating on her partner were interspersed, was also a hit.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm knockin' at your door
I've come to confront you about your wrongdoing.
And there's no answer
You're avoiding me and refusing to face up to what you've done.
I hear the moans and groans
I can tell by the sounds I hear that you're up to something you shouldn't be.
Of your nasty laughter
Your laughter suggests that you're reveling in bad behavior.
I'm kickin' in the door
I'm taking matters into my own hands and forcing my way in.
As your breathin' gets faster
Your panicked breathing tells me that you know you've been caught.
Your trail of clues
I've assembled a series of hints that point unmistakably to your guilt.
Is leadin' to disaster
Your actions are going to have serious consequences for you.
Once I looked into your eyes
I used to believe in you and trust you completely.
I thought they were true
I believed that your eyes reflected your genuine feelings for me.
Innocence can turn to lies
You started out innocent, but eventually you betrayed me with your deceit.
And now the finger points
The blame for what's happened is squarely on you.
At you, baby
I'm addressing you directly and pointing out your mistakes.
Shame Shame Shame
I'm emphasizing how shameful your actions have been and how disappointed I am.
You should've known better
You had the knowledge and ability to avoid this situation, but you chose the wrong path.
Than to cheat on me
You betrayed my trust and loyalty by being unfaithful to me.
Now it don't matter
The damage is done, and there's no going back or fixing what you did.
So let me be
I don't want to be around you or have anything to do with you anymore.
You've got your own self to blame
You're responsible for what happened and the consequences that will follow.
Now it's time to feel the pain
You're going to have to suffer the consequences of your actions.
Of your twisted little game
Your deceitful behavior was like a game to you, but now you're going to pay the price.
It's such a cryin'
It's incredibly sad and disappointing that you chose to betray me.
Shame Shame Shame
I'm hammering home how shameful your actions were and how much they hurt me.
Shame Shame Shame
I'm repeating myself because your actions are so reprehensible and unforgivable.
Did you do your poses
Did you pretend to be someone you're not in order to deceive and manipulate someone else?
In the mirror
Did you rehearse your lies and deception when looking at your reflection?
Did you tell him
Did you manipulate the other person with false promises and declarations of love?
Baby, baby please
Did you beg and plead with the other person to go along with your deceit?
Did you twist his tongue
Did you confuse and mislead the other person with your words and actions?
And bend his ear
Did you manipulate the other person into doing something they didn't want to do?
Did you have him beggin', beggin'
Did you make the other person feel powerless and desperate in order to control them?
On his knees
Did you use the other person's vulnerability and weakness against them to get what you wanted?
Once you looked into my eyes
There was a time when I believed that you truly cared about me.
And told me you were mine
You made me believe that you were committed to me and our relationship.
Now I see your cheap disguise
Now I realize that you were lying to me all along and wearing a false persona.
And you're runnin' out of time, baby
You can't keep up your deceitful behavior forever, and eventually the truth will come out.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND CHILD, STEPHEN PEARCY, WARREN DE MARTINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind