For My Sunday Song #185, we will discuss “Afraid” by Motley Crue off their 1997 release ‘Generation Swine’. This was the first single off the album and first single to feature Vince Neil back in the band. The song reached #10 on the rock charts, but I don’t remember much noise being made as music had changed significantly.
The song was written by Nikki Sixx and was about his relationship with Donna D’Errico. As she felt she was getting to close to him, she ended up running away. I think he feels she is so broken that she is incapable of a relationship. That fear of being too close to anyway; heck, I think that is something we have all felt at one time or another.
Musically, the song rocks out, they tried to modernize their sound to fit the late 90’s and they do a good job. However, it sounds like Motley Crue like it should. They didn’t try and turn it in to anything grunge thankfully as Grunge was kind of over at this point. The guitar work by Mick is great, loud and heavy, but has a melodic feel that gives the tune some solid emotion. Nikki and Tommy lay down the groove and keep a great rhythm. Vince sounds fantastic. The trademark little screams and it was nice to hear the band back together again.
Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it and I hope you have a Happy Sunday. Now go out there and don’t be afraid to jump in to that relationship as what is the worst that could happen, you get your heart broke…if so, then you lived!!
“Afraid”
do you, do you wanna live in vain?
it’s only life
she’s so afraid to kiss
and so afraid to laugh
is she runnin’ from her past?
it’s only life
she’s so afraid of love
is so afraid of hate
what’s she runnin’ from now??do you, do you wanna scream?
do you, do you wanna face the strange?
do you, do you believe?
are you, are you afraid of change?
it’s only life
she’s so afraid of this
and so afraid to ask
she hides behind her mask
nothing’s ever right
she’s so afraid of pain
so afraid of blame
it’s driving her insane
so insecure
there is no cure
well she’s so afraid
she’s so afraid of death
she’s so afraid, afraid of life
the drama in her head
getting louder all the time
getting louder all the time
she’s so afraid, afraid to lose
been so afraid of fame
everyday she feels the same
it’s driven her insane…
it’s driven her…
it’s drive…
it’s…
another broken pretty thing
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
I think the song is fantastic.
When they played it live it didn’t have that industrial snare sound and industrial guitar, it’s just normal rawk n roll, guitar into Marshall amp and off we go.
Generation Swine gets hate but it’s a pretty cool album especially songs like A Rat Like Me and Let Is Prey who a super heavy.
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I could have used this series a while ago, John – I was at a trivia night and the category I think was all about names with “Mick” & I totally blanked on Mr. Mars!
I knew the other 3 (I suppose they often get a lot of the spotlight for other reasons), so nice to see his playing was solid here
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Mick’s playing is always solid. Very underrated especially considering he has so many great riffs and solos. Can’t wait for his solo album coming this Summer.
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Usually the lead guitarist is so prominent in the group, Mick’s one of the rare examples where I bet he’d be the last member most people would name if asked “name all the members in ________”
The only others that jump to mind for me like that are Rush & The Beatles, so that’s some pretty good company!
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That is true. I guess he was the quiet one in the band and could never get a word in with those three knuckleheads hogging the spot light. And BTW…Alex Lifeson and George Harrison
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Great Pick John!
I’m with Pete this is a strong song and the Swine album if you trimmed off some fat would be a solid ball of rock. Hats off to them for changing it up back then but masses wanted Dr Feelgood rock.
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I don’t know if I’m sold on that album, but I loved this song.
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Took me about 20 years to give it some props!
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I don’t hate this song but I hate everything it represents. The selling out to popular trends. The re-hiring of the weaker singer for the almighty dollar. They had to mix this song…how many times?…before it was releasable. I think I have three different mixes in my collection.
I disagree with Deke. You can’t trim the fat off Generation Swine and get a good album. You can get a good EP or single, but not an album.
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I understand. It was not a great one, but a few good songs.
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