Cherry Pie (album)
Encyclopedia
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.
. Like its predecessor, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
, it was recorded at The Enterprise in Burbank, California
.
It is widely rumored that Erik Turner
and Joey Allen
had not played a note on the album and that all guitar work had been performed by ex-Streets
guitarist and session musician Mike Slamer
. The rumor has never been verified, although Slamer's wife confirmed in 1998 that her husband played guitar on the record. The album's liner notes refer to Turner's function as "G-string
" and Allen's as "Bong Riffs", adding that "Erik & Joey would like to thank Mike Slamer & Tommy Girvin
for their Wielding G string Inspirations".
Slamer was joined by numerous other guest performers; the record also features contributions from Jani Lane
's brother Erik Oswald, guitarist C. C. DeVille
from Poison
, guitarist and bassist Bruno Ravel
and drummer Steve West
from Danger Danger
, and singer Fiona
.
The album carried a parental advisory sticker in the United States, due to the final track entitled "Ode to Tipper Gore
", which consisted of a collection of swear words cut from the band's live performances. A "clean" version of the album also existed, with the final track removed, and an audible "bleep" of a curse in a previous song.
Canadian cable-TV music network, MuchMusic, refused to air the "Cherry Pie" video on the grounds that it was "offensively sexist".
", "Sure Feels Good to Me", "Love in Stereo"), love and devotion ("Mr. Rainmaker", "Blind Faith"), and betrayal ("I Saw Red", "Train, Train"). The song "Train, Train" is a cover version of a song originally performed by the band Blackfoot
on their 1979 album Strikes
.
"Cherry Pie", which is probably Warrant's best-known song, was dedicated to president of Sony Music Entertainment
US Don Ienner
. The dedication was no doubt inspired by the record company pressure which led to the track's creation. The record was completed without the song, but Warrant's label requested that a new rock "anthem" be added in order to enhance its marketability. Vocalist Lane responded by writing "Cherry Pie" in 15 minutes. Bassist Jerry Dixon and guitarist Allen, who believed the album was complete and were playing in a charity golf tournament in Denver, were called back to Los Angeles to complete the track. The single comprises a string of metaphorical references to sex
and bears some melodic resemblance to Def Leppard's
"Pour Some Sugar on Me
", and Joan Jett
's "I Love Rock n' Roll". The guitar solo was performed by Poison
's guitarist C. C. DeVille
.
Prior to the writing of "Cherry Pie", the album's title and first single was to have been "Uncle Tom's Cabin", a track which foreshadowed the kind of imaginative song writing which would later be more fully revealed on the Dog Eat Dog
record. Although named after the classic novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe
, the song tells the story of a witness to the involvement of local police in a double murder and appeared to have nothing to do with slavery, racism, or the Deep South (although the video for the song was set in Louisiana). It was eventually released as a single (removing the solo acoustic guitar intro) and reached #83 on the American charts.
The record's third single was "I Saw Red", a power ballad inspired by a true story of betrayal. It was written after Lane had walked in on his best friend in bed with his girlfriend, resulting in his nervous breakdown
and the delayed release of the band's first record Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
. When it was released as a single, it reached #10 on the American charts, becoming their second Top 10 single.
. It is also featured as Nancy Gribble's
cell phone ring tone
on King of the Hill
, in an advertisement for XM radio, and in the twelfth episode of the animated series Mission Hill
.
On May 1, 2007, "Cherry Pie" was featured on ECW
's Extreme Expose.
except where noted
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
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...
. 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 Pie was released on September 11, 1990 through CBS RecordsColumbia 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...
. Like its predecessor, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
Warrant: Live - Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich is the first Warrant video album released in 1990 on VHS and Laserdisc, featuring the band performing live in concert.The video was certified Platinum -Track listing:#"So Damn Pretty"#"Ridin' High"...
, it was recorded at The Enterprise in Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
.
It is widely rumored that Erik Turner
Erik Turner
Erik 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....
and Joey Allen
Joey 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...
had not played a note on the album and that all guitar work had been performed by ex-Streets
Streets (band)
Streets was a band made up of singer, keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist Mike Slamer, bassist Billy Greer, and drummer Tim Gehrt.Steve Walsh had also been in the band Kansas and Mike Slamer has been in several other bands, including Britain's City Boy. He has also been a session guitarist...
guitarist and session musician Mike Slamer
Mike Slamer
Mike Slamer is a British guitarist who started his career playing in the UK prog-rock band City Boy. Since then, he has worked as a staff composer for various movies and TV series, has been a session guitarist for numerous recording artists, and played in several bands:He at different times...
. The rumor has never been verified, although Slamer's wife confirmed in 1998 that her husband played guitar on the record. The album's liner notes refer to Turner's function as "G-string
G-string
A G-string is a type of thong underwear or swimsuit, a narrow piece of cloth, leather, or plastic, that covers or holds the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as swimwear or underwear by women and men...
" and Allen's as "Bong Riffs", adding that "Erik & Joey would like to thank Mike Slamer & Tommy Girvin
Tommy Girvin
Tommy Girvin is a guitarist who is most famous for playing with Eddie Money, with whom he has been playing since 1986.Prior to Eddie Money, he played in a band from southern California called Smile, which reportedly had considerable success. He also holds the logo graphics credit for Heart's 1980...
for their Wielding G string Inspirations".
Slamer was joined by numerous other guest performers; the record also features contributions from Jani Lane
Jani Lane
Jani 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....
's brother Erik Oswald, guitarist C. C. DeVille
C. C. DeVille
C.C. DeVille is the lead guitarist of the American glam metal band Poison. He has also acted in both reality television and television drama shows. He starred in The Surreal Life season 6 and the The Surreal Life: Fame Games...
from Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
, guitarist and bassist Bruno Ravel
Bruno Ravel
Bruno Ravel, born May 1, 1964, is a bassist and guitarist who is most famous for playing in the band Danger Danger.Before Danger Danger, he was in the band Hotshot, along with original Danger Danger lead vocalist Mike Pont and Danger Danger drummer Steve West...
and drummer Steve West
Steve West (Danger Danger)
Steve West, born May 30, is a drummer most famous for playing in the band Danger Danger. He has played on all of Danger Danger's albums to date....
from Danger Danger
Danger Danger
Danger Danger is an American glam metal band, formed in 1987 in Queens, New York. Despite enjoying moderate success in the U.S. with their debut album Danger Danger, the band vanished from the radar due to legal problems and changes in its line-up....
, and singer Fiona
Fiona (singer)
Fiona is an American rock music singer and actress best known as the love interest in the 1987 Bob Dylan vehicle, Hearts of Fire.-Life and career:...
.
The album carried a parental advisory sticker in the United States, due to the final track entitled "Ode to Tipper Gore
Tipper Gore
Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Gore , née Aitcheson, is an author, photographer, former second lady of the United States, and the estranged wife of Al Gore...
", which consisted of a collection of swear words cut from the band's live performances. A "clean" version of the album also existed, with the final track removed, and an audible "bleep" of a curse in a previous song.
Canadian cable-TV music network, MuchMusic, refused to air the "Cherry Pie" video on the grounds that it was "offensively sexist".
Songs
The albums themes include sex ("Cherry PieCherry Pie (Warrant song)
"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.-Background:...
", "Sure Feels Good to Me", "Love in Stereo"), love and devotion ("Mr. Rainmaker", "Blind Faith"), and betrayal ("I Saw Red", "Train, Train"). The song "Train, Train" is a cover version of a song originally performed by the band Blackfoot
Blackfoot (band)
Blackfoot is a Southern rock musical ensemble from Jacksonville, Florida organized during 1970. Though they are primarily a Southern rock band, they were known also as a hard rock act....
on their 1979 album Strikes
Strikes (album)
Strikes is the third album by Southern rock band Blackfoot, released during 1979. That album has received from the RIAA a platinum certification in April 1986.-Track listing:# "Road Fever" – Medlocke/Spires...
.
"Cherry Pie", which is probably Warrant's best-known song, was dedicated to president of Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
US 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....
. The dedication was no doubt inspired by the record company pressure which led to the track's creation. The record was completed without the song, but Warrant's label requested that a new rock "anthem" be added in order to enhance its marketability. Vocalist Lane responded by writing "Cherry Pie" in 15 minutes. Bassist Jerry Dixon and guitarist Allen, who believed the album was complete and were playing in a charity golf tournament in Denver, were called back to Los Angeles to complete the track. The single comprises a string of metaphorical references to sex
Sex
In biology, sex is a process of combining and mixing genetic traits, often resulting in the specialization of organisms into a male or female variety . Sexual reproduction involves combining specialized cells to form offspring that inherit traits from both parents...
and bears some melodic resemblance to Def Leppard's
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...
"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 "I Love Rock n' Roll". The guitar solo was performed by Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
's guitarist C. C. DeVille
C. C. DeVille
C.C. DeVille is the lead guitarist of the American glam metal band Poison. He has also acted in both reality television and television drama shows. He starred in The Surreal Life season 6 and the The Surreal Life: Fame Games...
.
Prior to the writing of "Cherry Pie", the album's title and first single was to have been "Uncle Tom's Cabin", a track which foreshadowed the kind of imaginative song writing which would later be more fully revealed on the Dog Eat Dog
Dog Eat Dog (Warrant album)
Dog Eat Dog was the third music album by American glam metal band Warrant. It was released on August 25, 1992 on the Columbia label of Sony Music. The album peaked at number 25 on The Billboard 200....
record. Although named after the classic novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe was an American abolitionist and author. Her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was a depiction of life for African-Americans under slavery; it reached millions as a novel and play, and became influential in the United States and United Kingdom...
, the song tells the story of a witness to the involvement of local police in a double murder and appeared to have nothing to do with slavery, racism, or the Deep South (although the video for the song was set in Louisiana). It was eventually released as a single (removing the solo acoustic guitar intro) and reached #83 on the American charts.
The record's third single was "I Saw Red", a power ballad inspired by a true story of betrayal. It was written after Lane had walked in on his best friend in bed with his girlfriend, resulting in his nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
and the delayed release of the band's first record Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
Warrant: Live - Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich is the first Warrant video album released in 1990 on VHS and Laserdisc, featuring the band performing live in concert.The video was certified Platinum -Track listing:#"So Damn Pretty"#"Ridin' High"...
. When it was released as a single, it reached #10 on the American charts, becoming their second Top 10 single.
Cultural references
The song "Cherry Pie" from this album is featured in the video game Guitar Hero IIGuitar Hero II
Guitar Hero II is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by RedOctane. It is the second installment in the Guitar Hero series and is the sequel to Guitar Hero...
. It is also featured as Nancy Gribble's
Dale Gribble
Dale Alvin Gribble is a fictional character in the animated series King of the Hill. and is voiced by Johnny Hardwick . He is an exterminator, bounty hunter, smoker, gun fanatic, and paranoid believer of almost all conspiracy theories and urban legends...
cell phone ring tone
Ring tone
A ringtone or ring tone is the sound made by a telephone to indicate an incoming call or text message. Not literally a tone, the term is most often used today to refer to customizable sounds used on mobile phones.-Background:...
on King of the Hill
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
, in an advertisement for XM radio, and in the twelfth episode of the animated series Mission Hill
Mission Hill
Mission Hill is an American animated television series that first aired on The WB in 1999. Although 18 episodes were planned, only 13 episodes were produced. The show was put on hiatus by the WB Network after two episodes due to poor ratings. It returned to the WB in the summer of 2000 but was...
.
On May 1, 2007, "Cherry Pie" was featured on ECW
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
's Extreme Expose.
Track listing
All tracks by Jani LaneJani Lane
Jani 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....
except where noted
- "Cherry PieCherry Pie (Warrant song)"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.-Background:...
" – 3:20 - "Uncle Tom's CabinUncle Tom's Cabin (song)Uncle Tom's Cabin is a song by American glam metal band Warrant. It was released in 1991 as the third single from Warrant's secound album Cherry Pie. The song charted at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #19 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart....
" – 4:01 - "I Saw RedI Saw Red (Warrant song)I Saw Red is a song by American glam metal band Warrant. A power ballad, it was released in 1991 as the second single from Warrant's secound album Cherry Pie...
" – 3:47 - "Bed of Roses" (Bonnie Hayes, Lane) – 4:04
- "Sure Feels Good to Me" (Johnny B. Frank, Lane, Danny Stag) – 2:39
- "Love in Stereo" – 3:06
- "Blind Faith" – 3:33
- "Song and Dance Man" – 2:58
- "You're the Only Hell Your Mama Ever Raised" – 3:34
- "Mr. Rainmaker" – 3:29
- "Train, TrainStrikes (album)Strikes is the third album by Southern rock band Blackfoot, released during 1979. That album has received from the RIAA a platinum certification in April 1986.-Track listing:# "Road Fever" – Medlocke/Spires...
" (BlackfootBlackfoot (band)Blackfoot is a Southern rock musical ensemble from Jacksonville, Florida organized during 1970. Though they are primarily a Southern rock band, they were known also as a hard rock act....
cover) – 2:49 - "Ode to Tipper Gore" [Live] (Warrant) – 0:54
Band
- 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, arranger - 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...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - 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....
- guitar, arrangement - 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....
- bassBass 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:...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional musicians
- C. C. DeVilleC. C. DeVilleC.C. DeVille is the lead guitarist of the American glam metal band Poison. He has also acted in both reality television and television drama shows. He starred in The Surreal Life season 6 and the The Surreal Life: Fame Games...
- guitar - Mike SlamerMike SlamerMike Slamer is a British guitarist who started his career playing in the UK prog-rock band City Boy. Since then, he has worked as a staff composer for various movies and TV series, has been a session guitarist for numerous recording artists, and played in several bands:He at different times...
- guitar - Bruno RavelBruno RavelBruno Ravel, born May 1, 1964, is a bassist and guitarist who is most famous for playing in the band Danger Danger.Before Danger Danger, he was in the band Hotshot, along with original Danger Danger lead vocalist Mike Pont and Danger Danger drummer Steve West...
- backing vocals - Steve WestSteve West (Danger Danger)Steve West, born May 30, is a drummer most famous for playing in the band Danger Danger. He has played on all of Danger Danger's albums to date....
- backing vocals - FionaFiona (singer)Fiona is an American rock music singer and actress best known as the love interest in the 1987 Bob Dylan vehicle, Hearts of Fire.-Life and career:...
- backing vocals - Alan Hewitt (musician) - organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, strings - Beau HillBeau HillBeau Hill is an American record producer who is best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Kix, Winger, Streets, Warrant, Fiona, Europe and Ratt....
- organ, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, arrangement, keyboardsSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, production, mixing - Paul Harris - piano, strings
- Juke Logan - harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
Additional personnel
- Jimmy Hoyson - engineering, mixing
- Martin Horenburg - assistant engineer
- Dave Collins - digital editing, sequencing
- Hugh SymeHugh SymeHugh Syme is a Canadian Juno Award-winning graphic artist who is best known for his artwork and cover concepts for rock and metal bands. He is also a musician and has appeared in some Rush songs as a keyboard player. Syme is notably responsible for all of Rush's album cover art since 1975's Caress...
- art direction, design - Danny StagDanny StagDanny Stag is an American hard rock guitarist who played with the band Kingdom Come and authored several successful guitar instruction videos...
- arrangements - Johnny B. Frank - arrangements
- Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
- mastering
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Billboard 200 | 7 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Cherry Pie" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 19 |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 10 | ||
| "I Saw Red" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 14 | |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 10 | ||
| 1991 | "Blind Faith" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 39 |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 88 | ||
| "Uncle Tom's Cabin" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 19 | |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 78 |
Video album
Cherry Pie: Quality You Can Taste is the second video album from "Warrant" released in 1991. The video features backstage interviews, concert clips including a preview of the band's next album and the music videos from Cherry Pie.- Cherry Pie
- I Saw Red
- Blind Faith
- Uncle Tom's Cabin
- I Saw Red (Acoustic version)