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)
The Morning After
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say I'm deliberately sent here to please
It's what you need, so I'm here tonight
You won't confuse me with somebody else
Look in your mirror; you're too good for yourself
It's all in your books, your magazines, can't you see?
I'll be headin' out in time if it's wrong or right
I'll leave the morning after
I'll leave the morning after
Say I'm in to somebody else, know what I mean?
I know you'll always think one of my kind
You're on my mind, baby, all the time
Lift your skirt, lady, high in the night
I'm just what you need, won't you give it a try?
Don't put up a fight, it's gonna be alright, can't you see?
I'll be headin' out in time if it's wrong or right
I'll leave the morning after
I'll leave the morning after
Stay by my...
It's gonna be right, right out of the night
When out of the night, now, it's gonna be right
It's gonna be right, right out of the night
When out of the night, can't you see?
I'll leave the morning after
I'll leave the morning after
I'll leave the morning, morning, morning
Morning, morning, on and on
I'll leave the morning after
I'll leave the morning after
The lyrics of “The Morning After” by Ratt seem to describe a sexual encounter that is not entirely consensual, with the singer feeling as if they were “deliberately sent” to please the other person. The lyrics suggest a sense of detachment on the part of the singer, who seems to see himself as interchangeable with others in the situation. The ambiguous language in the song leaves the listener with the impression that the singer is not fully invested in the encounter, and may even regret it by the next morning.
The phrase “know what I mean?” is repeated frequently throughout the song, indicating a sense of urgency or desperation. The singer may be trying to convince himself and the other person that their encounter is meaningful, despite feeling disconnected from it. The repeated line “I’ll leave the morning after” serves as a reminder that this encounter is only temporary, and that the singer does not intend to remain emotionally invested in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of “The Morning After” suggest a sense of confusion, detachment, and uncertainty on the part of the singer. The repeated use of ambiguous language creates a sense of discomfort, leaving the listener with the impression that the encounter described in the song may not be entirely consensual.
Line by Line Meaning
You think unkindly, simple not sane, know what I mean?
Do you think I'm crazy for willingly being with you?
Say I'm deliberately sent here to please
Admit that I am here to satisfy your desires
It's what you need, so I'm here tonight
I am here because you want me, and I'm fulfilling your needs
You won't confuse me with somebody else
Don't mistake me for someone else
Look in your mirror; you're too good for yourself
Realize that you're too self-centered and think too high of yourself
It's all in your books, your magazines, can't you see?
You base your expectations on unrealistic depictions in media
I'll be headin' out in time if it's wrong or right
I'll leave when the time is right, regardless of whether it's good or bad
Say I'm in to somebody else, know what I mean?
Do you suspect that I'm interested in someone else?
I know you'll always think one of my kind
You believe that I'm just like every other guy
You're on my mind, baby, all the time
I think about you constantly
Lift your skirt, lady, high in the night
Let's be intimate and passionate tonight
I'm just what you need, won't you give it a try?
I'm what you've been missing, why not give us a chance?
Don't put up a fight, it's gonna be alright, can't you see?
Don't resist, everything will be okay if you just go with it
Stay by my...
I want you to stay with me
It's gonna be right, right out of the night
Our encounter will be satisfactory, even though it's happening at night
When out of the night, now, it's gonna be right
Despite it being late at night, it's still going to be good
I'll leave the morning after
I'll be gone once the night is over
I'll leave the morning, morning, morning
I'll leave early in the morning
Morning, morning, on and on
The morning will arrive, like it always does
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CROSBY, PEARCY, DE MARTINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind