Album Covers, Info, Fun Facts and Trivia
Overview
Released on November 20, 1973, "Muscle of Love" is the 7th and final studio album by the original Alice Cooper band before Alice (Vincent Furnier) went solo under the same name. Following the success of Billion Dollar Babies, expectations were sky-high, but Muscle of Love took a different turn—stripping back the theatricality and leaning into a more straightforward rock 'n' roll sound.
Produced by Jack Richardson (with co-production by Jack Douglas) instead of Bob Ezrin, the album offers grit, groove, and attitude, showcasing the band’s musicianship without the heavy shock rock production of previous albums.
Tracklist
Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo)
Never Been Sold Before
Hard Hearted Alice
Crazy Little Child
Working Up a Sweat
Muscle of Love
Man With the Golden Gun
Teenage Lament '74
Woman Machine
Album Information
Artist: Alice Cooper (band)
Album: Muscle of Love
Release Date: November 20, 1973
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Genre: Hard rock, glam rock, rock and roll
Length: 39:03
Producers: Jack Douglas, Jack Richardson
Notable Songs & Highlights
“Muscle of Love” is a punchy, hard-rocking title track filled with innuendo and swagger—classic Cooper attitude.
“Teenage Lament ’74” became a minor hit, featuring backing vocals from Liza Minnelli, LaBelle, and The Pointer Sisters—a rare soul-rock crossover.
“Hard Hearted Alice” is a moody, almost progressive ballad with introspective lyrics.
“Man with the Golden Gun” was considered for the 1974 James Bond film but ultimately rejected in favor of the Lulu version.
Fun Facts & Trivia
Packaging Oddity: The original LP was packaged in a cardboard "pizza box" design, reinforcing the album’s “back-to-basics” theme. It also came with a fold-out comic-style insert.
Production Shift: Unlike previous albums, this one was not produced by Bob Ezrin. Jack Douglas (who would later work with Aerosmith) gave it a more live, garage-rock feel.
Backlash & Breakup: Despite going gold, the album was seen as a commercial step down after Billion Dollar Babies. Tensions in the band increased, and they disbanded shortly afterward.
Solo Future: Muscle of Love marked the end of the classic Alice Cooper lineup. In 1975, Vincent Furnier would legally adopt the name Alice Cooper and launch his solo career with Welcome to My Nightmare.
Unpolished Energy: Critics and fans often note the album’s more raw, less theatrical sound—a shift that was both praised and criticized.
Legacy
While Muscle of Love may not have reached the commercial heights of its predecessor, it remains an essential chapter in Alice Cooper’s history. It’s a raw, riff-heavy rock record with flashes of brilliance and moments of soul, jazz, and cabaret weirdness.
Most importantly, it’s the final farewell of the original Alice Cooper band—before Vincent Furnier took the name solo and launched into his next evolution as rock’s premier villain and showman.
Keywords (Tags)
Alice Cooper Muscle of Love review, Teenage Lament 74 meaning, 1973 hard rock albums, Alice Cooper band breakup, Muscle of Love vinyl packaging, Man with the Golden Gun song trivia, Jack Douglas producer rock albums
