Few bands embodied the hedonistic excess and raw energy of the 1980s rock scene like Mötley Crüe.
Rising out of the sleazy clubs of Los Angeles, they defined an era with their mix of glam rock, metal, punk attitude, and a flair for drama.
They were reckless, over the top, and magnetic—capturing both the best and worst of rock ‘n’ roll.
Their music?
A perfect storm of massive hooks, gritty riffs, and unapologetic swagger. Love them or hate them, you couldn’t ignore them. They weren’t just a band—they were a lifestyle.
TOO FAST FOR LOVE (1981)
The band’s debut album wasn’t polished, but it didn’t need to be. Raw and aggressive, “Too Fast for Love” was dripping with punk energy and glam sleaze.
Live Wire
The opening salvo. It’s fast, ferocious, and hits like a sucker punch. Nikki Sixx’s bass drives the track, under a killer riff, while Vince Neil’s high-pitched vocals demand attention.
Piece of Your Action
A killer riff courtesy of Mick Mars, blending raw power with just the right amount of groove.
Too Fast for Love
Catchy yet chaotic.
Starry Eyes
A glam-rock gem with a bit of tenderness—this one feels like a love letter wrapped in a leather jacket.
On With the Show
A poignant closer and an early glimpse of Nikki Sixx’s storytelling prowess.
SHOUT AT THE DEVIL (1983)
This is where Mötley Crüe became Mötley Crüe. Bigger, badder, and more theatrical, “Shout at the Devil” put them on the map and defined their sound.
Shout at the Devil
The chant-like chorus is iconic, and the ominous tone made you feel like you were part of something dangerous.
Looks That Kill
A Mad Max dystopian music video, a blistering riff paired with Vince Neil’s cocky delivery. The glam rock attitude was fully formed here.
Too Young to Fall in Love
It showed their ability to mix melody with menace. A surprisingly tight, radio-friendly track in an otherwise raw, aggressive album.
Knock ’Em Dead, Kid
A punchy anthem with swagger for days, this was built for fists-in-the-air singalongs.
Danger
A moody, underrated closer that hinted at their ability to go beyond the party anthems.
THEATRE OF PAIN (1985)
After their breakout success, Mötley Crüe leaned harder into glam, but it wasn’t just glitter and eyeliner, this album also marked their first true brush with vulnerability.
Home Sweet Home
The power ballad that changed the game. It gave glam metal its heart and showcased a side of the band few expected.
Smokin’ in the Boys Room
A fun, rebellious cover that became a staple of MTV. It captured their cheeky side perfectly.
Tonight (We Need a Lover)
A criminally underrated rocker with an irresistible groove.
Use It or Lose It
Pure adrenaline with a punk edge, this one is all about chaos and speed.
City Boy Blues
A bluesy, slower number that adds a smoky vibe to the album.
GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS (1987)
“Girls, Girls, Girls” doubled down on the decadence, chronicling their rock-star lifestyle with a mix of glam and bluesy grit. It’s an album that screams late nights and bad decisions.
Girls, Girls, Girls
The anthem of the Sunset Strip. With a thunderous beat and a sleazy, infectious hook, this track immortalized their favorite haunts and indulgences.
Wild Side
One of their heaviest tracks, with a menacing riff and lyrics that showcased the darker underbelly of their world.
Dancing on Glass
A brooding track about addiction, with a killer groove and standout vocals from Vince Neil.
All in the Name Of…
Fast, furious, and quintessential Crüe, this one is built for live shows.
You’re All I Need
A dark ballad with a banned MTV clip that veers into twisted storytelling territory.
DR. FEELGOOD (1989)
Clean(er) and at the height of their powers, this was their commercial and creative peak. With Bob Rock behind the controls, “Dr. Feelgood” polished their sound without dulling their edge.
Dr. Feelgood
The title track is an undeniable masterpiece. A tight, thunderous groove, layered production, and Nikki Sixx’s storytelling made this their defining hit.
Kickstart My Heart
Few songs capture pure adrenaline like this one. The racing guitars and pounding drums make it feel like a shot of pure energy.
Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
Pure ear candy, with a massive chorus and playful lyrics about girl dumps boy and starts liking girl.
Slice of Your Pie
A sleazy groove that leans into their blues-rock influences.
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
A fan-favorite closer with a tongue-in-cheek attitude.
DECADE OF DECADENCE (1991)
This was more than just a greatest hits collection, it was a celebration of Mötley Crüe’s dominance in the 1980s, with new tracks, b-sides and remixes offering fans a taste of what was to come.
Primal Scream
One of the best songs they ever wrote, period. It’s heavy, rebellious, and showcases Nikki Sixx’s knack for anthemic songwriting. The riff punches hard, and Vince Neil delivers with fiery conviction.
Angela
A lesser-known track, but its infectious melody and playful energy made it a fan favorite.
Teaser
A cover of Tommy Bolin’s classic, this track showed off the band’s versatility. Mick Mars’ guitar work shines here, blending Crüe’s trademark edge with the song’s funky, laid-back vibe.
For Deep Cuts, check out the remixes of “Home Sweet Home” and “Live Wire” which gave old favorites a fresh coat of paint, keeping fans hooked while showing off their evolution.
MÖTLEY CRÜE (1994)
The Vince Neil-less era. With John Corabi on vocals, this self-titled album was darker, heavier, and more experimental. Critics praised it, but fans were divided. Today, it’s seen as a hidden gem in their discography.
Hooligan’s Holiday
A gritty, groovy anthem. Corabi’s raw vocals gave the band a new identity, and the layered production made this one of their most adventurous tracks.
Misunderstood
A brooding, introspective track that showed the band could go beyond party anthems. The orchestral elements and Corabi’s emotional delivery made it a standout.
Poison Apples
A throwback to their more fun-loving roots, this track injected a dose of glam into the otherwise heavy album.
Smoke the Sky
A blistering track with one of Mick Mars’ most aggressive riffs.
Hammered
A gritty, blues-infused song that hits hard.
GENERATION SWINE (1997)
Vince Neil returned, but this wasn’t the same band from the ’80s. Leaning into industrial rock influences, “Generation Swine” was a bold, attempt of reinvention.
Afraid
Dark, melodic, and layered, this track hinted at their attempt to evolve with the times. Nikki Sixx’s lyrics were reflective and raw.
Beauty
One of their most experimental tracks, with an industrial groove and biting vocals.
Generation Swine
Fast-paced and chaotic, this track encapsulates the album’s frenetic energy.
Let Us Prey
Heavy and aggressive, it’s a throwback to their hard rock roots.
GREATEST HITS (1998)
Another compilation, but this one leaned into fan favorites while teasing the future.
Enslaved
A new track that stood out with its dark, atmospheric vibe. It hinted at a more introspective direction that wasn’t fully explored.
Bitter Pill
A raw, gritty rocker with a hint of the swagger that defined their classic era.
SUPERSONIC AND DEMONIC RELICS (1999)
It’s a Frankenstein’s monster of an album: a compilation of songs released before on greatest hits, b-sides, demos, unreleased cuts, and a few decent punches. It’s messy, uneven, but weirdly compelling, like rifling through a rock star’s junk drawer and finding both cocaine and a love letter to their mom.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Junkie
You can practically smell the Aqua Net and denim on this one. It’s dumb in the best way, like if you could bottle bad decisions and blast them through a Marshall stack.
If you love early Crüe, this is your fast-food banger. Terrible for you, but hits the spot.
Sinners and Saints
This one’s a garage-band skeleton. It’s raw and you can see the bones of a decent track
Black Widow
Heavy and haunting. A leftover from “Shout At The Devil”.
NEW TATTOO (2000)
A return to their roots, with Randy Castillo replacing Tommy Lee on drums. “New Tattoo” felt like an attempt to recapture the spirit of their ’80s sound.
Hell on High Heels
A glam-metal stomper that feels like it could’ve been on “Shout at the Devil”.
New Tattoo
A surprisingly tender ballad with emotional depth. Vince Neil’s vocals are heartfelt, and the lyrics reflect on the band’s legacy.
Fake
A biting track with aggressive guitars and snarling lyrics.
She Needs Rock & Roll
A fun, anthemic track with a catchy chorus.
THE DIRT (2001)
They leaned into their legacy. The 2001 autobiography “The Dirt” brought their outrageous story to a new generation, it got them in the road again and their 2019 Netflix adaptation got the band to rip up their “Cessation of Touring Agreement”.
RED, WHITE & CRÜE (2005)
This comprehensive box set spanned their career, including rare tracks and new material.
If I Die Tomorrow
A modern, polished track that blended their classic sound with a contemporary edge. It struck a chord with fans old and new.
Sick Love Song
Heavy, hooky, and pure Crüe. Mick Mars’ riff drives this track, giving it a hard-hitting edge.
SAINTS OF LOS ANGELES (2008)
Their last studio album was a concept piece inspired by “The Dirt”. It’s a sleazy, swaggering celebration of their wild ride.
Saints of Los Angeles
The title track is an instant classic, combining their anthemic choruses with gritty storytelling.
MF of the Year
Over-the-top and unapologetic, this track captures the essence of their rebellious spirit.
The Animal in Me
Dark and brooding, this track showed they still had emotional depth.
White Trash Circus
A chaotic, fun ode to their debaucherous lifestyle.
SINGLE – Sex (2012)
A straightforward rocker with a dirty groove. It’s not groundbreaking but has that signature Crüe swagger.
SINGLE – All Bad Things Must End (2015)
Their farewell single before retiring (temporarily). It’s reflective, heavy, and fittingly melancholic, with Mick Mars delivering one last killer riff.
THE DIRT SOUNDTRACK (2019)
The Netflix film “The Dirt” brought Crüe’s story to life, and the accompanying soundtrack featured both classics and new material.
The Dirt (Est. 1981) feat. Machine Gun Kelly
A modern, high-energy track that captured their larger-than-life essence.
Ride with the Devil
A sleazy rocker that feels like a lost gem from the ’80s.
Crash and Burn
Heavy and hooky, this track proved they still had plenty of fire left.
CANCELLED (EP) (2024)
Produced by Bob Rock, “Cancelled” is a three-track, 12-minute blast of nostalgia, defiance, and questionable decision-making. It’s their first release with guitarist John 5, who replaced Mick Mars in 2022.
Cancelled
A middle finger to cancel culture, delivered with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. It’s clichéd but hey no one said that music can’t have cliches.
Dogs of War
It’s heavy and aggressive It’s a song that tries to recapture past glory.
Fight for Your Right
A Beastie Boys’ cover.
Free Spirits Rising 