WCSX Classic Cuts
Motley Crue: “Dr. Feelgood”
The Hook: A song about a Hollywood drug dealer, sung fast like a rap song…but it’s not one.
Album: Dr. Feelgood
Year: 1989
Writer: Nikki Sixx
Stats: Peaked at number-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number-seven on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Background: “Dr. Feelgood” is the title of both Motley Crue’s highest-charting and biggest-selling single and its only number-one album. Singer Vince Neil tells us what it was about, with a little help from drummer Tommy Lee.
Motley Crue singer Vince Neil on what “Dr. Feelgood” is about, with a little help from drummer Tommy Lee. OC:… :22
Vince: “The song is about a guy named Rat Tailed Jimmy [sings] ‘a second class hood, he deals out in Hollywood.’ About a drug dealer that’s going down in Hollywood. It’s kind of like a rap song – fast lyrics, you know.”
Tommy: “Like a lot of scatting, yeah.”
Vince: “[scats] But with the heavy chunk guitar [imitates it]. It ain’t a rap song. It’s just like, y’know, words that are fast.”