For My Sunday Song #259, we are going to talk about “Shame, Shame, Shame” from Ratt’s 1990 album ‘Detonator’. The song was written by Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini and Desmond Child who also produced the album. The song was a Japan Only single and therefore never charted in the US since it wasn’t released here. The album didn’t do that well either only going Gold in the U.S. and hitting #23 on the charts. This surprises me as this to me is one of their best albums, if not THE BEST album they had done.

Lyrically, the song is about catching your girlfriend cheating and telling them they should have known better as now it is over. It is a big F.U. to the girlfriend that they screwed up and now they need to pack their bags and get the hell out. Since the girlfriend instigated the affair, he has no remorse or doubt that she needs to go. Really no other interpretation for this one. It is pretty straight-forward and simple.

The songs opens with a little Warren DeMartini penned instrumental piece called “Intro to Shame” with its slow detuned guitar solo which then slams into the blistering opening track “Shame Shame Shame”.  The song comes at you full force and the guitar work is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!! There is even a guest appearance by the super talented Michael Schenker.  What more could you want in an opening track.  It is hard, heavy, catchy and starts off the album better than probably any of their other albums.  Stephen’s vocals are spot on with that gritty, smoked too many cigarettes, drank too much whiskey edge it screams a bluesy vibe matched with Warren’s bluesy guitar tone. It is legendary!!

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Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. This song was for a return to the band’s early sound and then turned up a notch. A step in the right direction that no one seemed to be following anymore. Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Sunday!!

“Shame Shame Shame”

I’m knockin’ at your door
And there’s no answer
I hear the moans and groans
Of your nasty laughter
I’m kickin’ in the door
As your breathin’ gets faster
Your trail of clues
Is leadin’ to disaster

Once I looked into your eyes
I thought they were true
Innocence can turn to lies
And now the finger points
At you, baby

Shame Shame Shame
You should’ve known better
Than to cheat on me
Shame Shame Shame
Now it don’t matter
So let me be
You’ve got your own self to blame
Now it’s time to feel the pain
Of your twisted little game
It’s such a cryin’
Shame Shame Shame
Shame Shame Shame

Did you do your poses
In the mirror
Did you tell him
Baby, baby please
Did you twist his tongue
And bend his ear
Did you have him beggin’, beggin’
On his knees

Once you looked into my eyes
And told me you were mine
Now I see your cheap disguise
And you’re runnin’ out of time, baby

Shame Shame Shame
You should’ve known better
Than to cheat on me
Shame Shame Shame
Now it don’t matter
So let me be
You’ve got your own self to blame
Now it’s time to feel the pain
Of your twisted little game
It’s such a cryin’
Shame Shame Shame
Shame Shame Shame

Written by Stephen Pearcy, Desmond Child and Warren DeMartini