Home Sweet Home (Mötley Crüe song)
Encyclopedia
"Home Sweet Home" is a song by the American heavy metal
band Mötley Crüe
. It was originally released in 1985 on the album Theatre of Pain
, and again in 1991 for the Decade of Decadence
compilation album. It has been recorded as a cover version
by several artists, and was released as a single by Carrie Underwood
in 2009.
Along with Wild Side
, "Home Sweet Home" is one of the rare Mötley Crüe hits to have Vince Neil
credited with the songwriting, though he did play a part in writing many of their non-hit songs. As such, the power ballad is often considered as Neil's most significant songwriting contribution in the band's success, featuring a great deal of personal input and thought in the song's tone and lyrics.
, the song was accompanied by a music video which documented the band's undertakings over the course of a concert, or several concerts. Some of the original video was shot in Houston, Texas live at The Summit Arena during the 1985 Theatre of Pain tour. They performed the song twice that night apparently to get more video footage. The Summit Arena has had several names over the years, The Compaq Center and finally converted into Lakewood Church. "Home Sweet Home" was remixed twice: once for the 1988 Japan-only EP
Raw Tracks
and again in 1991, when it was released as a single, "Home Sweet Home '91", and included on the Decade of Decadence
compilation. The song is often referred to as a power ballad, and its success was a prelude to similar marketing formula for other hair bands in the late 1980s. The song ranks #12 on VH1's chart of the greatest power ballads of all time.
Drummer Tommy Lee
re-recorded the song for Season 4 of the TV series Californication
, and has a cameo in "Lights, Camera, Asshole" performing the song on piano in a bar at the end of the episode. Also, the third episode in the show's fourth season was named after this song.
, and "Home Sweet Home '91" peaked at #37 on the same chart in 1992. To date, "Home Sweet Home '91" is the last Mötley Crüe song to chart in the American Billboard Top 40.
recorded a cover version in 2009 for the American Idol
season 8
send-off song. On the chart week of March 28, 2009, "Home Sweet Home" made a debut at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart based on sales of the digital single. It debuted on the Hot Country Songs
chart at #52. It also debuted at #33 on the Canadian Hot 100
.
Carrie Underwood performed the song live on May 19, 2009, following the final performances of American Idols eighth season.
Her version appears on American Idol
when they play flashbacks of the person on The Big screen.
It also appeared on the Deluxe Edition of her third studio album Play On
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 Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
. It was originally released in 1985 on the album Theatre of Pain
Theatre of Pain
-Personnel:*Vince Neil - vocals*Mick Mars - guitar*Nikki Sixx - bass*Tommy Lee - drums, piano-Singles:*"Smokin' In the Boys Room" was released on June 24, 1985.*"Home Sweet Home" was released on September 30, 1985.-Charts:...
, and again in 1991 for the Decade of Decadence
Decade of Decadence
-Singles:1. Primal Scream2. Home Sweet Home '91- Certifications :-External links:*...
compilation album. It has been recorded as a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by several artists, and was released as a single by Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
in 2009.
Along with Wild Side
Wild Side (Mötley Crüe song)
"Wild Side" is a single by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe from their 1987 album Girls, Girls, Girls which charted at #2 on the Billboard 200.-Composition:...
, "Home Sweet Home" is one of the rare Mötley Crüe hits to have Vince Neil
Vince Neil
Vincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
credited with the songwriting, though he did play a part in writing many of their non-hit songs. As such, the power ballad is often considered as Neil's most significant songwriting contribution in the band's success, featuring a great deal of personal input and thought in the song's tone and lyrics.
Release
Originally released on the band's 1985 album, Theatre of PainTheatre of Pain
-Personnel:*Vince Neil - vocals*Mick Mars - guitar*Nikki Sixx - bass*Tommy Lee - drums, piano-Singles:*"Smokin' In the Boys Room" was released on June 24, 1985.*"Home Sweet Home" was released on September 30, 1985.-Charts:...
, the song was accompanied by a music video which documented the band's undertakings over the course of a concert, or several concerts. Some of the original video was shot in Houston, Texas live at The Summit Arena during the 1985 Theatre of Pain tour. They performed the song twice that night apparently to get more video footage. The Summit Arena has had several names over the years, The Compaq Center and finally converted into Lakewood Church. "Home Sweet Home" was remixed twice: once for the 1988 Japan-only EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Raw Tracks
Raw Tracks
Raw Tracks is an EP by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released in 1988. The EP features six songs released on the band's previous albums, but some of them appear in remixed or live versions.-Track listing:...
and again in 1991, when it was released as a single, "Home Sweet Home '91", and included on the Decade of Decadence
Decade of Decadence
-Singles:1. Primal Scream2. Home Sweet Home '91- Certifications :-External links:*...
compilation. The song is often referred to as a power ballad, and its success was a prelude to similar marketing formula for other hair bands in the late 1980s. The song ranks #12 on VH1's chart of the greatest power ballads of all time.
Drummer Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee
Thomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
re-recorded the song for Season 4 of the TV series Californication
Californication (TV series)
Californication is an American comedy-drama that premiered on Showtime on August 13, 2007. The show was created by Tom Kapinos. The protagonist, Hank Moody , is a troubled novelist whose move to California, coupled with his writer's block, complicates his relationships with his longtime girlfriend...
, and has a cameo in "Lights, Camera, Asshole" performing the song on piano in a bar at the end of the episode. Also, the third episode in the show's fourth season was named after this song.
Chart positions
The original release of "Home Sweet Home" charted at #89 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...
, and "Home Sweet Home '91" peaked at #37 on the same chart in 1992. To date, "Home Sweet Home '91" is the last Mötley Crüe song to chart in the American Billboard Top 40.
Music video
The video depicts each band member receiving a phone call home, and replying "I'm on my way!", Vince Neil on a beach, Mick Mars on a throne in a haunted house, Nikki Sixx at a bar, and Tommy Lee at a wild party. The piano intro begins as a tour bus is shown. The rest of the video shows the band pre-concert and performing on stage. The video is notable for its long stay on top of the MTV daily request chart, lasting over three months until MTV invoked the unwritten "Crue Rule", dropping videos from eligibility on their request line after thirty days.Cover versions
- The song was re-recorded by Linkin ParkLinkin ParkLinkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
vocalist Chester BenningtonChester BenningtonChester Charles Bennington is an American musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is best known as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Linkin Park....
on co-lead vocals along with Mötley Crüe in the wake of Hurricane KatrinaHurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
. The music video for the song shows videos of Katrina rescues, along with a performance from the band. - 30 Foot Fall30 Foot Fall-Band History:30 Foot Fall is an American Punk Rock band that began in Houston, Texas. The Band played their first show on Mother's Day in 1993 and were composed of Rubio Cisneros , Tony Avitia , Butch Klotz...
included a cover version of the song as a bonus track on their album Ever Revolving, Never Evolving. - It was also recorded by Limp BizkitLimp BizkitLimp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
for their Greatest HitzGreatest HitzGreatest Hitz is Limp Bizkit's 2005 greatest hits compilation album. Along with the group's most successful singles, the album also features three new songs. "Why" and "Lean On Me" were left-overs from Results May Vary, which were dropped due to Mike Smith joining the band and new "heavier" songs...
album, and is joined by a remake of "Bitter Sweet SymphonyBitter Sweet Symphony"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a song by English alternative rock band The Verve, the lead track on their third album, Urban Hymns. It is based on music from an Andrew Loog Oldham adaptation of a Rolling Stones song, "The Last Time". It was released on 16 June 1997 by Hut Recordings as the first single...
" by The VerveThe VerveThe Verve were an English rock band formed in 1989 in Wigan by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboardist Simon Tong later became a member. Beginning with a psychedelic sound indebted to shoegazing and space...
. It is often referred to as "Bittersweet Home." - The band Radio Cult released a cover of the song on their album "Retroactive" in 2007.
- Rob CorddryRob CorddryRobert William "Rob" Corddry is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his work as a former correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and for his starring role in the comedy film Hot Tub Time Machine...
did a cover version for the 2010 film, Hot Tub Time MachineHot Tub Time MachineHot Tub Time Machine is a 2010 American science fiction adult comedy film directed by Steve Pink. Four men, all of them bored with their adult lives, travel back to their 1980s teen-hood, courtesy of a time-shifting hot tub. It stars John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Kellee Stewart, Rob...
. - Tommy Lee performed the song on piano when he guest starred as a singer on the TV series Californication at the end of the episode of "Lights, Camera, Asshole". This version also appears on the show's Season 4 soundtrack.
Personnel
- Vince NeilVince NeilVincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
- vocals - Mick MarsMick MarsMick Mars is the lead guitarist for American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Career:After his family relocated from Indiana, to California, Bob Deal dropped out of high school and began playing guitar in a series of unsuccessful blues based rock bands throughout the seventies, taking on menial day...
- guitar - Nikki SixxNikki SixxNikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer, best known as the co-founder and bassist of the band Mötley Crüe. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister band mate Lizzie Grey...
- bass and backing vocals. - Tommy LeeTommy LeeThomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
- drums & piano
Carrie Underwood version
Carrie UnderwoodCarrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
recorded a cover version in 2009 for the American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
season 8
American Idol (season 8)
The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol...
send-off song. On the chart week of March 28, 2009, "Home Sweet Home" made a debut at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard 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...
chart based on sales of the digital single. It debuted on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart at #52. It also debuted at #33 on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
.
Carrie Underwood performed the song live on May 19, 2009, following the final performances of American Idols eighth season.
Her version appears on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
when they play flashbacks of the person on The Big screen.
It also appeared on the Deluxe Edition of her third studio album Play On
Chart positions
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|