A Bedtime Story
Alice Cooper · Alice Cooper Goes To Hell [1976]
bedtime story that's not for all children. It's a very special story, that
only special children will understand. It's a half aware story, and it will be
better if you close your eyes. It's a story that takes place in a dream, like
other nightmares you have known. It's a dream that Alice has dreamed. You can
dream along with him. You can follow Alice down the staircase, deep, down the
stairs to the pit where he doesn't want to go, but he has to.
If you go to sleep now, Steven, you can go down the long and endless
staircase and sing sweet song to Alice and free him. And if you can't get to
sleep, Steven and the middle of night you get out of bed, when everything is
quiet and the trees are still and the birds are hiding from the dark, you can
lay down on your bedroom floor and press your ear tightly to the boards. If
you listen very carefully you can hear Alice searching for a way out, forever
chasing rainbows.
Sleep tight, Steven. And have a good night.
A Bedtime Story
A Bedtime Story serves as a haunting centerpiece on Alice Cooper's 1976 album, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell. During this era, the rock icon explored darker, more theatrical themes, often blending horror with introspection. The track exemplifies the album's conceptual approach, where Cooper confronts his own mortality and the supernatural elements that define his stage persona. Musically, the recording balances the band's signature hard rock sound with a more somber, atmospheric tone suitable for its title. This work remains a significant song in Cooper's extensive discography, showcasing his ability to craft narrative-driven rock anthems that resonate with fans of classic horror rock. The song stands as a testament to the creative experimentation that defined the mid-1970s period of his career.