In the world of music, it's not uncommon for artists to create songs that don't make the final cut for an album. But what happens to these songs? Often, they find their way onto B-sides, deluxe reissues, or compilations, where they can still shine. In the realm of big hair metal, a genre known for its anthemic choruses and catchy hooks, there are several songs that were left behind, only to be rediscovered later. These non-album tracks are a testament to the creativity and versatility of these bands, offering a glimpse into the diverse musical landscape of the 80s and 90s. Let's take a closer look at some of these hidden gems and explore the stories behind them.
Bon Jovi: "Edge of a Broken Heart"
Bon Jovi's "Edge of a Broken Heart" is a prime example of a song that was left behind, only to be rediscovered later. The track, with its skyscraping choruses and poppy synthesizers, is textbook Bon Jovi. It's a song that many fans consider one of the band's best, and for good reason. The song's omission from the "Slippery When Wet" album is baffling, as it could have easily climbed the charts if it had been included. Luckily for fans, "Edge of a Broken Heart" became readily available on the 2004 box set "100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong."
Motley Crue: "Toast of the Town"
Motley Crue's "Toast of the Town" is a song that highlights the band's early affinity for '70s glam rock and power-pop. The combination of raw, distorted riffs and sugary pop hooks helped lay the groundwork for the entire glam metal zeitgeist. The song's release as the B-side to their debut single "Stick to Your Guns" is a testament to the band's early influence. Thankfully, the song was included in all its unvarnished glory on the album's 2003 Motley Records re-release.
Poison: "Livin' for the Minute"
Poison's "Livin' for the Minute" is a lean, mean, punk-tinged hard rocker that gets in and out in less than three minutes. The song, written during the sessions for their sophomore album "Open Up and Say … Ahh!", chronicles the life and times of "Two-bit Billy," a guitar-slinging ladies' man who flies by the seat of his pants. Bret Michaels does his best Steven Tyler/David Lee Roth impression, ending the song with his raspy howls. The song eventually appeared on the 2006 reissue of "Open Up and Say … Ahh!", and it's patently ridiculous, lighthearted fun.
Ratt: "Reach for the Sky"
Ratt's "Reach for the Sky" is a song that dates back to the sessions for the band's star-making debut full-length, "Out of the Cellar". The song's stomping rhythm section, dual-lead guitars, and punchy production are immediately apparent. Although Ratt became one of the quintessential bands of the nascent glam metal movement, they were heavily influenced by the likes of Judas Priest in their early days. The song incorporates elements of trad-metal and streetwise punk while keeping its hooks front and center. More than 40 years after "Out of the Cellar" hit shelves, "Reach for the Sky" finally received a long-overdue standalone release.
Skid Row: "Forever"
Skid Row's "Forever" is a song that was recorded prior to the release of their self-titled debut album in 1989. The song didn't make the cut, perhaps because it's a little poppier than the rest of the record. But there's a youthful optimism to the song that makes it stand out from the rest of Skid Row's bad-boy boogie. The percussive riffs and punkish tempo give "Forever" a relentless forward movement, while Sebastian Bach's powerhouse vocals lend an urgency to this story of two young lovers taking on the world. The song eventually appeared on 1998's "40 Seasons: The Best of Skid Row", and Bach revived the song in 2019 during his Skid Row 30th anniversary tour.
Warrant: "Thin Disguise"
Warrant's "Thin Disguise" is a song that was relegated to the B-side of the "Cherry Pie" single and removed from the album. The song is another catchy, tightly constructed pop-metal anthem, featuring heartfelt lyrics and vocals from Jani Lane amid chunky guitar riffs and soaring leads. It's just one of many songs that proved Lane's remarkable and woefully overlooked songwriting chops. The song's omission from the album is a shame, as it could have easily been a lead single.
In conclusion, these non-album songs are a testament to the creativity and versatility of big hair metal bands. They offer a glimpse into the diverse musical landscape of the 80s and 90s, and they remind us that sometimes the best songs are the ones that don't make the final cut. From Bon Jovi's "Edge of a Broken Heart" to Warrant's "Thin Disguise", these songs are a must-listen for any fan of the genre. So, if you haven't heard them yet, keep reading to see the best non-album song from six big hair metal bands.
