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)
Way Cool Jr.
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh
New kid in town
Got fancy clothes
Old T-Bird car, baby
And you can tell your nose
He said, "Where is all the action in this town?"
Stop working on the women
It's on real slick
Heard enough about sin, girl
Gonna make it stick
Hey! What makes him so special anyhow?
She said, "So good lookin', that's a fact
Steel guitars run across his back"
The girls all know he's Way Cool Jr.
Check him out on his good side
Heard he came from Memphis
Somewhere down south
Started hangin' with the blues crowd
That's how he got that crazy sound
What is all this talkin' goin' round?
She said, "So good lookin', turns me on"
Out all night, keeps me up 'til dawn"
The girls all know he's Way Cool Jr.
You know you can't have fire without the flame
Can't keep the fortune without the pain
That's how he makes it when he's on his own
Way Cool Jr.
You don't live it up or never live it down
Way Cool Jr.
He's the hottest thing to ever hit this town
Go man go
She said, "So good lookin' and that's a fact
Steel guitar scratched off the back"
Everybody knows it's Way Cool Jr.
You know you can't have fire without the flame
Can't keep the fortune without the pain
That's how he makes it when he's on his own
Way Cool Jr.
Always comin' 'round the bend
Way Cool Jr.
He's gonna live it up or never live it down
Way Cool Jr.
Way Cool Jr.
The Ratt song, Way Cool Jr., tells the story of a new kid in town who immediately becomes the talk of the town. He has fancy clothes and an old T-Bird car which he shows off with great pride. The singer, however, is not happy about this new guy and wants to know what makes him so special. The singer tries to criticize him saying that he has heard too much about his sins and asks what is so special about him. But the new kid has an answer to all these criticisms as he is good-looking, has a steel guitar running across his back, and a crazy sound that he got by hanging out with the blues crowd. The girls in the town love him, and according to them, he's Way Cool Jr.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the new kid has a particular charm that makes him popular among the girls. He also seems to have a unique style that sets him apart from others. The song has a metaphorical meaning that suggests that you can't have fame without hard work and pain. Despite the singer's jealousy and criticism, Way Cool Jr. has made it to the top because of his own talent and hard work. The song is a celebration of the new kid's achievements and a warning to those who might underestimate his talents.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Oh
Continued expression of excitement and enthusiasm
New kid in town
A new person has come to live in their town
Got fancy clothes
He wears clothes that show he has money and style
Old T-Bird car, baby
He drives a classic car, a T-Bird, which is a sign of his coolness
And you can tell your nose
You can tell by his appearance and attitude that he's someone special
He said, "Where is all the action in this town?"
He's looking for excitement and adventure in this town
Stop working on the women
Stop trying to get the attention of women
It's on real slick
He's smooth and confident in his approach
Heard enough about sin, girl
He's tired of hearing about bad experiences with women
Gonna make it stick
He's going to make a lasting impression on the women he meets
Hey! What makes him so special anyhow?
People are wondering what makes him so cool and unique
She said, "So good lookin', that's a fact
Someone describes him as very attractive
Steel guitars run across his back"
He's a musician that plays the steel guitar
The girls all know he's Way Cool Jr.
All the girls in town know who he is and think he's really cool
Check him out on his good side
Get to know him when he's in a good mood
Heard he came from Memphis
He's from Memphis, Tennessee
Somewhere down south
A general location in the southern United States
Started hangin' with the blues crowd
He befriended and played music with people who liked blues music
That's how he got that crazy sound
His unique music style was influenced by blues music from Memphis
What is all this talkin' goin' round?
People are gossiping about him and his music
She said, "So good lookin', turns me on"
A woman is attracted to him because of his looks
Out all night, keeps me up 'til dawn"
He stays out late at night and parties until early morning
You know you can't have fire without the flame
You need both the danger and excitement for something to be truly thrilling
Can't keep the fortune without the pain
You need to go through struggle and hardship to achieve success
That's how he makes it when he's on his own
He achieved success in his music career by going through hardship alone
Way Cool Jr.
His nickname, a reference to his coolness
You don't live it up or never live it down
If you don't take risks and have fun, you'll always regret it
He's the hottest thing to ever hit this town
He's the coolest and most exciting thing that's ever happened in this town
Go man go
Words of encouragement to keep going and living life to the fullest
Everybody knows it's Way Cool Jr.
Everyone in town knows and acknowledges his coolness
Always comin' 'round the bend
He's always coming around and being seen
He's gonna live it up or never live it down
He's going to enjoy life and take risks, or regret it later
Way Cool Jr.
Reiterating his cool nickname
Lyrics © SMALL HOPE PRODUCTIONS LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DEMARTINI, HILL, PEARCY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dreyn77
They failed to sell anything in Australia.
Yeah they were in the point break movie but that's about all they did.
We've never heard this song ever.
They're a regional band.
Take out the girliness and add some Average Male appeal and you might have something to sell.
The girly moves.
The girly lyrics.
The girly fashion just ruined this product.
They ignored the paying customer which is obviously MALE and they went for the non paying customer, women and they failed as a result.
I'll sum up this band.
Vocals with distortion guitars.
That's IT.
Right, nobody knows WHO this singer is outside the USA.
Nobody knows who anybody else is in this band.
The singer is amazing in the vocal department and that causes people to want to know him but the rest ARE boring people.
They couldn't sell lollies to children.
Some people just have the personality of cardboard.
RATT, thought they could manipulate men into paying for songs sung to women and they died because of it.
Golden rule, DON'T disrespect men.
You'll suffer a horrible social legacy because of it.
They ARE dirty rats 🐀
They're disgusting to men.
David Venesky
The 80s were an absolute BLAST. For those who weren't there. You missed out on one HELL of a time.
Tara Harvey
💯🎯💯🎯💯
ABSOLUTELY ❣️
The 80's WERE THE ABSOLUTE BEST YEARS EVER!
I'd give my left arm to find a time machine and GO BACK .. AND STAY THERE!!
😍❤️😍
Bill Constantine
Amen to that
joe george
hell yeah !
Tom Mcdonough
Born in 68, teen throughout the 80's nailed it, today's youth are being cheated big time. Peace........
Lt. Pete Maverick Mitchell
You know it David!
The BEST!
Marvin Williamson
From 1978 to about 1992 was the greatest times of my life. This music never gets old.
emello81
From Van Halen's Runnin with The Devil all the way to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, I have to agree
WeltonvilleGal
Those were the days…..
monmixer
Agreed, 76 until I was was in my low 40's were the best years but i still had some gas in my tank for a rebirth. I'm still rocking at 64.