I think featuring Pat Benatar’s great song “All Fired Up” last week fired up a lot of hard-rock memories. One has been persistently flitting in and out of my mind ever since, so I’m giving in to the earworm today.
This song resonated with me from my very first listen, as from a young age I wanted to get the hell out of my small hometown and Ohio in general.1 These days, it hits a little differently. The idea of staying engaged in life rings true, but it’s the songcraft that I really appreciate.
“Alive and Kickin’” is from Mr. Big’s second studio album, Lean into It. It was the album that broke through for them, apparently on the back of its ballads “To Be with You” and “Just Take My Heart.” I wrote “apparently” because I heard plenty of other songs on Cincinnati rock stations,2 including this banging track.
From Paul Gilbert’s tasty guitar noodling in the intro to the very last chords—and then the studio chatter at the very end3—this song commands my full attention. Highlights include Gilbert’s countermelody under lead singer Eric Martin’s vocals; the understated cowbell and handclaps; Gilbert’s blazing solo; and Pat Torpey’s masterful cymbal work (and just great drumming throughout). While bassist extraordinaire Billy Sheehan isn’t prominently featured here, a few tasty licks shine through.
It’s a shame Lean into It came out in 1991, just as grunge music had started to dominate the airwaves. I think that played a role in its harder songs not doing as well on the charts as the ballads—but I’m sure the band was happy that “To Be with You” became one of the rare metal songs to reach the top spot4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Via my brother, I’d heard Mr. Big’s eponymous debut album and liked it enough to buy Lean into It not long after it was released. I thought I’d wear that disc out playing it so often! I still have it and amazingly, it still sounds good.
We enjoyed seeing Mr. Big live a couple of times, opening for Rush on the Presto tour. They seemed to be well liked and respected by the Cinci crowd … it no doubt helped that they played “Addicted to That Rush” as the last song of their set!
back then, I had less against Ohio per se than my hometown; I had a bad case of wanderlust, wanting not just to see the world, but to live in other areas
in addition to the city’s Z Rock affiliate
Headphone or earbuds may be necessary to hear it all … unless you like it as cranked up as I do
It went to number one in several European countries, and New Zealand and Australia as well
Ah, a true epic band. A case where the egos didn't destroy the fabric like other "super" bands.
Paul Gilbert achieved enough fame (and money) from his time in Mr. Big to let him do his thing, and he has done so much with his talent.
Thanks for this!