Growing up in Compton was sometimes tough, he once even had his face and chin slashed by a gang member. Neil soon learned to become street-wise, but was in some trouble at school, he got kicked out, later finding out he has a form of dyslexia. As well as an interest in music, as a teen Neil was also interested in surfing and baseball.
He was discovered while performing with his band, Rock Candy, and joined Mötley Crüe in 1981. That same year, he married his first wife, Beth Lynn and Mötley Crüe released its first album, Too Fast for Love. In 1983, Mötley Crüe released Shout at the Devil, a blockbuster success that established the band as one of the biggest acts of the 1980s. In 1984, after a tour with Ozzy Osbourne, Neil was in a drunk driving accident near Redondo Beach, California. The passenger in his 72' De Tomaso Pantera, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley, the drummer of Hanoi Rocks, died from his injuries. Beth Lynn and Neil divorced in 1985. Following a prison sentence, Neil regrouped with Mötley Crüe to record Theatre of Pain (1985) and Girls, Girls, Girls (1987). He married Sharise Ruddell in April 1988. The band released their highest-selling album, Dr. Feelgood, in 1989 after going through rehab .
Neil left Mötley Crüe to pursue a solo career in February 1992. According to rumors in the band's autobiography, The Dirt, he was fired because he was more interested in car racing than in the band (he was racing in the Indy Lights open wheel developmental series at the time). In 1992 he released his first solo offering, a single "You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)" featured on the Encino Man soundtrack. Exposed, his solo debut, debuted at #13 on the Billboard charts, was released in mid-1993. The album featured Steve Stevens (Billy Idol's guitarist and Atomic Playboys founder), Dave Marshall, Robbie Crane, and Vik Foxx. It sold only about 300,000 copies in the US, just about as many as Mötley's 1994 Neil-less album Mötley Crüe with singer John Corabi (previously of The Scream). All previous Mötley Crüe albums had sold at least one million copies.
Sharise Ruddell and Neil divorced in 1993. Two years later on August 15, 1995, their daughter, Skylar Neil, died of cancer.
The same year, Carved In Stone, an indus-glam metal oriented album produced by the Dust Brothers, sold less than 100,000 copies in the US, and Neil's contract with Warner Bros. Records. eventually came to an end. Some versions of the album feature "Skylar's Song", written by Neil only.
By 1997, both Neil's solo career and Mötley Crüe's fortunes were declining and he accepted their invitation to rejoin the band. They released the album Generation Swine which debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts. It wasn't long before tension erupted again, this time prompting Tommy Lee to leave the band. They replaced him with Randy Castillo, but things came to a halt when Castillo died from cancer in 2002.
In May 2000, Neil married Playboy Playmate Heidi Mark. They divorced in August 2001. In 2002, Neil was one of the cast members on the first season of The Surreal Life. A regular customer of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, in July 2003 Neil was charged with battery after a prostitute at the ranch alleged that he grabbed her around the throat and threw her against a wall. A year earlier, he had pleaded no contest to the charge that he had punched and knocked down record producer Michael Schuman.
In 2003, Vince Neil was featured (as a solo act) in the "Rock Never Stops Tour" along with other '80s hard rock bands. He released a live album, Live at the Whiskey: One Night Only in 2003.
Neil married Lia Gerardini in January 2005. The ceremony was officiated by ordained minister and fellow cast member from The Surreal Life, MC Hammer.
In 2004, Vince appeared again on TV for the special Remaking Vince Neil, which showed him trying to recharge his solo career. He also recorded the single "Promise Me" produced by the acclaimed Desmond Child which has yet to be released commercially, but rumored to be on a forthcoming solo album. However, it turned out to be Mötley Crüe that got the career boost as Neil and Tommy Lee put aside their differences and toured in support of the compilation album Red, White & Crüe which was supported by an extensive world-wide tour dubbed Carnival Of Sins, which featured near-naked female acrobats, fire-breathers and a midget.
Vince Neil is touring with his solo band, now consisting of Slaughter members Jeff Blando and Dana Strum, as well as drummer Zoltan Chaney. In 2010 he released, Tattoos & Tequila
Mötley Crüe will continue to tour, with several dates over the summer, and Vince will continue to tour with his solo band during his off time from Mötley Crüe. He is also currently working on a new studio album with Dana Strum, with whom he performed at glam metal festival Rocklahoma.
One way
Vince Neil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do what you want to do
Wouldn't be the first time that you ever did
Given it away
Do what you want to do
Ya ya
All the words you shit
It could be the last time you ever will
Kick in my face
Say what you want to say
Ya ya
[Chorus]
You can tell by the words that this ain't no love song
Kiss the dirt and walk away
It's only one way
What's inside your head
Gets inside my skin
Always doin' what you want to do
Makes me want to say
Screw what you want to screw
Ya ya
[Chorus: x2]
In Vince Neil's song One Way, the lyrics are an expression of someone who has been mistreated by their lover. The person is urging their lover to do whatever they want because it won't be the first time that they have given everything away. The person feels betrayed and hurt by their lover's actions and words, and the lover doesn't care about the damage they have caused.
The lyrics suggest that the person is tired of being taken for granted and wants their lover to stop playing games with their heart. The chorus reinforces this, indicating that the situation is not a love story but a one-way street. The person is also aware that their lover's behavior is affecting them and making them feel unsettled. The lyrics "what's inside your head gets inside my skin" suggests that the person is being affected by their lover's thoughts and actions.
Overall, the lyrics express the pain of loving someone who doesn't value or respect the person who loves them. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing someone to treat you poorly for fear of losing them.
Line by Line Meaning
Put my mind at rest
Convince me that everything is okay.
Do what you want to do
Act with complete freedom and disregard for my well-being.
Wouldn't be the first time that you ever did
You have a history of putting yourself first, even if it hurts others.
Given it away
You've been careless with your actions and decisions.
All the words you shit
The things you say are worthless and meaningless.
Say what you want to say
Express your opinions and thoughts no matter how hurtful they may be.
It could be the last time you ever will
You might regret what you're about to say once it's too late.
Kick in my face
You're not afraid to hurt me emotionally and physically.
You can tell by the words that this ain't no love song
The lyrics of this song convey anger and betrayal, not love or affection.
Kiss the dirt and walk away
After treating me poorly, leave and never look back.
It's only one way
You're only interested in satisfying your own needs and desires, regardless of the impact on others.
What's inside your head
Your thoughts and motivations dictate your actions.
Gets inside my skin
Your words and actions affect me deeply and personally.
Makes me want to say
Your behavior is pushing me to my limits.
Screw what you want to screw
I feel the need to rebel against your selfishness and lack of consideration.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN KING, MARTI FREDRICKSON, MICHAEL SIMPSON, VINCE NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind