Cherry Pie (Warrant song)
Encyclopedia
"Cherry Pie" is a song by the American glam metal
band Warrant
. "Cherry Pie" is the titular track from Warrant's album Cherry Pie
, and both were released in 1990.
of Warrant has stated that the album was originally going to be called "Quality You Can Taste" (Frontman Jani Lane recalled this differently, stating that the title was supposed to be "Uncle Tom's Cabin"), but the president of Columbia Records
, Don Ienner
, wanted a rock anthem, so he called Jani Lane. (According to Lane he wanted a "Love in an Elevator
" type song.) Lane wrote "Cherry Pie" in about fifteen minutes. Allen stated that "...the whole marketing and everything for that record changed. It was definitely driven by the label and not the band. The song was written down on a pizza box which is now on display in the Hard Rock Cafe in Destin, FL, part of the Destin Commons. The guitar solo was played by C.C. Deville as a favor to Jani, who was a long-time friend.
Many of the band members feel that "Cherry Pie" is not actually one of the better songs on the album, and see the song as a double edged sword: it brought them fame, but many of their other songs are overshadowed by the major hit. On VH1
's HEAVY: The Story Of Metal – Episode 3: Looks That Kill, Lane expressed his regret for writing the song, stating that "I could shoot myself in the fucking head for writing that song." However, he later clarified that he had been under personal stress at the time of the VH1 interview, and had no ill feelings towards his association with the song.
The lyrics are generally about a man bragging about his sexual exploits (swingin'
) with a woman who is very attractive and who is the object of desire of many men. However, at the end of the song, the woman's father finds out about the pair's relationship: "Swing in the bathroom/Swingin' on the floor/Swingin' so hard/We forgot to lock the door/In walks her daddy/Standin' six foot four/He said you ain't gonna swing/With my daughter no more."
The song title itself may be another blatant reference to sex. Here, the terms both "Cherry" and "Pie" may be used sexually, as Cherry is slang to refer to a virgin (as used in the context "pop one's cherry" or to take their virginity, specifically when breaking the hymen during sex), and Pie is slang for vagina
.
The tune bears a strong resemblance to both Def Leppard
's hit Pour Some Sugar on Me
and Joan Jett
's hit I Love Rock and Roll. Notably, both of these songs have lyrics in the same vein as "Cherry Pie."
Inspired by the passing of former Warrant lead singer, Jani Lane, on August 8, 2011. Radio and TV personality Adam Carolla dedicated a special tribute of "Cherry Pie" to Jani Lane. On the "Adam Carolla Podcast" August 15, 2011 Episode, featuring Jordan Rubin , Adam and his cast produced one of the greatest remixes in music history. By playing a slowed down rendition of Warrant's classic hit "Cherry Pie". The audible can be heard on the, "Guinness Book of World Record, "Adam Carolla Podcast" at the 14:40 minute of the mentioned podcast. The remix can be heard again throughout the mentioned episode.
, reaching number 10 and also reached number 19 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
. The song has been cited by many as a "rock anthem". In 2009, it was named the 56th best hard rock song of all time by VH1
.
Despite its success, a daylong MTV special on the best and worst music videos of all time, MTV's Triumphs and Tragedies, listed the song's video as one of the worst. Matthew Wilkening also ranked the song at No. 89 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, commenting that "A lot of people missed this song's subtle commentary on outdated gender roles. Well, that's because there weren't any."
) who is seen dancing throughout the video.
However, Canadian cable-TV music network, MuchMusic refused to air the "Cherry Pie" video on the grounds that it was "offensively sexist".
Bobbie became involved with Jani Lane soon after the video was shot, and married him in 1991.
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band Warrant
Warrant (American band)
Warrant is an American heavy metal band from Hollywood, California, that experienced success from 1989-1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, and one of its...
. "Cherry Pie" is the titular track from Warrant's album Cherry Pie
Cherry Pie (album)
Cherry Pie is the second music album by American heavy metal band Warrant. The record—which spawned the hits "Cherry Pie", "Uncle Tom's Cabin", and "I Saw Red"—is the band's best-known and highest-selling release. The album peaked at number 7 on The Billboard 200.- Production and marketing :Cherry...
, and both were released in 1990.
Background
"Cherry Pie," Warrant's most well-known song, was not actually planned to be put on the album. Joey AllenJoey Allen
Joey Allen is best known as the lead guitarist from the American glam metal band Warrant.Allen was born as Joseph Alan Cagle on June 23, 1964 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but grew up in Irvine, California. His father is a retired electronics executive, while his mother worked for the Irvine Unified...
of Warrant has stated that the album was originally going to be called "Quality You Can Taste" (Frontman Jani Lane recalled this differently, stating that the title was supposed to be "Uncle Tom's Cabin"), but the president of Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, Don Ienner
Don Ienner
Don Ienner was the Chairman of the Sony Music Label Group during first half of the decade of the 2000s. He worked closely with his predecessor Tommy Mottola and was partially responsible for the breakthrough of Mariah Carey....
, wanted a rock anthem, so he called Jani Lane. (According to Lane he wanted a "Love in an Elevator
Love in an Elevator
"Love in an Elevator" is a song performed by American hard rock band Aerosmith, written by Steven Tyler and guitarist/backing vocalist Joe Perry. It was released in August 1989 as the lead single from their third album with Geffen Records, Pump, released in September...
" type song.) Lane wrote "Cherry Pie" in about fifteen minutes. Allen stated that "...the whole marketing and everything for that record changed. It was definitely driven by the label and not the band. The song was written down on a pizza box which is now on display in the Hard Rock Cafe in Destin, FL, part of the Destin Commons. The guitar solo was played by C.C. Deville as a favor to Jani, who was a long-time friend.
Many of the band members feel that "Cherry Pie" is not actually one of the better songs on the album, and see the song as a double edged sword: it brought them fame, but many of their other songs are overshadowed by the major hit. On VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's HEAVY: The Story Of Metal – Episode 3: Looks That Kill, Lane expressed his regret for writing the song, stating that "I could shoot myself in the fucking head for writing that song." However, he later clarified that he had been under personal stress at the time of the VH1 interview, and had no ill feelings towards his association with the song.
Lyrics and tune
The lyrics contain many metaphorical and blatant references to sex: "Well, swingin' on the front porch/Swingin' on the lawn/Swingin' where we want/'Cause there ain't nobody home", "Swingin' in there/'cause she wanted me to feed her/So I mixed up the batter/And she licked the beater", etc.The lyrics are generally about a man bragging about his sexual exploits (swingin'
Swinging
Swinging or partner swapping is a non-monogamous behavior, in which both partners in a committed relationship agree, as a couple, for both partners to engage in sexual activities with other couples as a recreational or social activity...
) with a woman who is very attractive and who is the object of desire of many men. However, at the end of the song, the woman's father finds out about the pair's relationship: "Swing in the bathroom/Swingin' on the floor/Swingin' so hard/We forgot to lock the door/In walks her daddy/Standin' six foot four/He said you ain't gonna swing/With my daughter no more."
The song title itself may be another blatant reference to sex. Here, the terms both "Cherry" and "Pie" may be used sexually, as Cherry is slang to refer to a virgin (as used in the context "pop one's cherry" or to take their virginity, specifically when breaking the hymen during sex), and Pie is slang for vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
.
The tune bears a strong resemblance to both Def Leppard
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
's hit Pour Some Sugar on Me
Pour Some Sugar on Me
"Pour Some Sugar on Me" is a song by British hard rock band Def Leppard from their 1987 album Hysteria. It reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
and Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
's hit I Love Rock and Roll. Notably, both of these songs have lyrics in the same vein as "Cherry Pie."
Cultural references
One of the phrases in the song, "Swingin' to the left/And swingin' to the right/If I think about baseball/I'll swing all night yeah" is a reference to the practice of delaying orgasm by concentrating on something other than the act, most typically baseball in humorous media. The song also plays on the children's song "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream" when the line "I scream, you scream, we all scream for her/Don't even try 'cause you can't ignore her" is sung.Inspired by the passing of former Warrant lead singer, Jani Lane, on August 8, 2011. Radio and TV personality Adam Carolla dedicated a special tribute of "Cherry Pie" to Jani Lane. On the "Adam Carolla Podcast" August 15, 2011 Episode, featuring Jordan Rubin , Adam and his cast produced one of the greatest remixes in music history. By playing a slowed down rendition of Warrant's classic hit "Cherry Pie". The audible can be heard on the, "Guinness Book of World Record, "Adam Carolla Podcast" at the 14:40 minute of the mentioned podcast. The remix can be heard again throughout the mentioned episode.
Chart success
"Cherry Pie" soon became a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, reaching number 10 and also reached number 19 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
. The song has been cited by many as a "rock anthem". In 2009, it was named the 56th best hard rock song of all time by VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
.
Despite its success, a daylong MTV special on the best and worst music videos of all time, MTV's Triumphs and Tragedies, listed the song's video as one of the worst. Matthew Wilkening also ranked the song at No. 89 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, commenting that "A lot of people missed this song's subtle commentary on outdated gender roles. Well, that's because there weren't any."
Video
The video for "Cherry Pie" received heavy airplay on MTV and other music video stations. It featured the members of Warrant and a scantily clad woman (model Bobbie BrownBobbie Brown
Bobbie Jean Brown, sometimes credited as Bobbie Brown-Lane, is an American actress, model, and former beauty pageant contestant...
) who is seen dancing throughout the video.
However, Canadian cable-TV music network, MuchMusic refused to air the "Cherry Pie" video on the grounds that it was "offensively sexist".
Bobbie became involved with Jani Lane soon after the video was shot, and married him in 1991.
Cultural references
- Lead singer Jani LaneJani LaneJani Lane , born John Kennedy Oswald, later changed to John Patrick Oswald, was an American recording artist and the lead vocalist, frontman, lyricist and main songwriter for the hard rock band Warrant....
is seen walking into Grant WoodGrant WoodGrant DeVolson Wood was an American painter, born four miles east of Anamosa, Iowa. He is best known for his paintings depicting the rural American Midwest, particularly the painting American Gothic, an iconic image of the 20th century.- Life and career :His family moved to Cedar Rapids after his...
's painting American GothicAmerican GothicAmerican Gothic is a painting by Grant Wood, in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Wood's inspiration came from a cottage designed in the Gothic Revival style with a distinctive upper window and a decision to paint the house along with "the kind of people I fancied should live in that...
(during the first verse, when he sings "most folks don't 'cause they're too busy bitchin'") - In the second chorus, the members of Warrant, dressed up as firefighterFirefighterFirefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s, spray water on model Bobbie BrownBobbie BrownBobbie Jean Brown, sometimes credited as Bobbie Brown-Lane, is an American actress, model, and former beauty pageant contestant...
in the video, creating a wet t-shirtWet T-shirt contestA wet T-shirt contest is an exhibitionistic beauty contest that typically features young women performing at a nightclub, bar, or resort. They have traditionally been a staple of college spring break celebrations at locations such as Daytona Beach and Cancún.Contest participants generally wear... - During the guitar solo, Brown is seen playing air guitarAir guitarPlaying air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching...
Personnel
- Jani LaneJani LaneJani Lane , born John Kennedy Oswald, later changed to John Patrick Oswald, was an American recording artist and the lead vocalist, frontman, lyricist and main songwriter for the hard rock band Warrant....
– vocals - Joey AllenJoey AllenJoey Allen is best known as the lead guitarist from the American glam metal band Warrant.Allen was born as Joseph Alan Cagle on June 23, 1964 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but grew up in Irvine, California. His father is a retired electronics executive, while his mother worked for the Irvine Unified...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Erik TurnerErik TurnerErik Turner is best known as the rhythm guitarist in American glam metal band Warrant. Turner co-founded Warrant in Los Angeles, California in July 1984 with bassist Jerry Dixon....
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... - Jerry DixonJerry DixonJerry Lawrence Dixon is an American musician, and one of the original members of the 1980s rock band Warrant. He was born in Pasadena, California. He has a wife and son, Grady....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Steven SweetSteven SweetSteven Sweet is a Los Angeles-based drummer who is most famous for being a member of Warrant.-Personal information:...
– drums - C.C. DeVille – guitar soloGuitar soloIn popular music, a guitar solo is a melodic passage, section, or entire piece of music written for an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. Guitar solos, which often contain varying degrees of improvisation, are used in many styles of popular music such as blues, jazz, rock and metal styles such...
(Guest musician)