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 MΓΆtley CrΓΌe, 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 (2012β2015)
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 (2015β2018)
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 (2018βcurrent)
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)
Take A Big Bite
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you got nothing to lose?
You got an empty head
And with your alligator shoes
You walk the thinnest line
You make me lose my mind
You make my heart send shivers Up and down my spine
Will you wait for me in line?
If it's up to me, I'm fine
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
So take a big bite
You got the silver spoons
When you're walking all night
You got the silly swaying
You don't even know why
You make this damn [Incomprehensible]
And you acting so tight
When you know [Incomprehensible]
You make a grown man cry
Will you wait for me in line?
And if it's up to me, I'm fine
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
So take a big bite
(Take it)
It's so insane
You're so bad
It's so insane
We've got our minds made up, yeah
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
So take a big bite
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
We're gonna party tonight
The lyrics to Ratt's song Take A Big Bite appear to be about living life to the fullest and taking risks. The lyrics suggest that when you have nothing to lose, you can be bold, wear alligator shoes, and walk the thinnest line. The person being addressed in the song appears to be someone who is wealthy and privileged ("you got the silver spoons"), but who is also reckless and unpredictable ("you don't even know why", "you make this damn", "acting so tight"). Despite their flaws, the singer seems drawn to this person and the way they make their heart send shivers.
Throughout the song, the singer asks the person being addressed whether they will wait for them in line, suggesting that they are interested in a relationship or connection of some kind. However, the lyrics also suggest that the singer is ready and willing to fight ("oh, I'm looking for a fight") and that they have "nothing better to do" than take a big bite and party tonight.
Overall, the song seems to capture the thrill of living in the moment and being willing to take risks, even if it means embracing chaos and unpredictability.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you get
When you have nothing to lose, what do you gain?
You got an empty head
You have a vacant mind.
And with your alligator shoes
You wear luxurious alligator shoes.
You walk the thinnest line
You take risks without regard for consequences.
You make me lose my mind
You drive me crazy.
You make my heart send shivers
Up and down my spine
You excite me to my core.
Will you wait for me in line?
Will you wait for me patiently?
If it's up to me, I'm fine
If it's my decision, it doesn't matter.
Take a big bite
Take a risk, go for it.
(So, if you ask, baby)
(I'm telling you)
You take a big bite
You take a risk, go for it.
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
(I'm ready to argue)
(And I got nothing better to do)
(I have no other plans)
You got the silver spoons
You were born with privilege.
When you're walking all night
When you're out late at night.
You got the silly swaying
You move in a foolish way.
You make this damn [Incomprehensible]
You make this situation difficult.
And you acting so tight
And you're acting nervous.
When you know [Incomprehensible]
When you know it's not worth it.
You make a grown man cry
You hurt grown men.
It's so insane
It's crazy.
You're so bad
You're so cool.
We've got our minds made up, yeah
We're determined, yes.
So take a big bite
Take a risk, go for it.
(Take it)
(Take the chance)
We're gonna party tonight
We'll have a good time tonight.
Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stratamaster78
What do you get
When you got nothing to lose?
You got an empty head
And with your alligator shoes
You walk the thinnest line
You make me lose my mind
You make my heart send shivers
Up and down my spine
Will you wait for me in line?
If it's up to me, I'm fine
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
So take a big bite
You got the silver spoons
When you're walking all night
You got the silly swaying
You don't even know why
You make this damn [Incomprehensible]
And you acting so tight
When you know [Incomprehensible]
You make a grown man cry
Will you wait for me in line?
And if it's up to me, I'm fine
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
So take a big bite
(Take it)
It's so insane
You're so bad
It's so insane
We've got our minds made up, yeah
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
So take a big bite
Take a big bite
(So, if you ask, baby)
You take a big bite
(Oh, I'm looking for a fight)
You take a big bite
(And I got nothing better to do)
We're gonna party tonight
@1brentedward
just hearing this for the first time in 2023.. man, this is a lot like Out of the Cellar.. this is super good.. wow, blown away.
@Joesfosterdogs
ballin right out of the gate on this one...Pearcy blew resurrection of career because this is one of the best come back LP's...never gonna play on radio, but fans love it...they should have got their 1985 sound on this LP...fans would have freaked! Blotzer's fat snare drum...capture the magic...
@joanx9722
RATT AND ROLL BABY
@danielhensley2597
The way the mid to late 80βs were supposed to sound like! \m/ forever
@SimonMackUK77
HUGE ! what a kick arse band !
@IvanIMPA
Ratt es una de las top 5 de bandas de Glam Metal!!!!
@brianmuff8459
Estoy de acuerdo.
@LemmyLawless
Los 4 grandes del Glam: Motley Crue, Ratt, Dokken y Twisted Sister.
@robertdunn7277
Rock On
@brainmutant1308
best ever rock n roll track! impetuous!