Motörhead – 1916 (1991)
Album Overview
1916 is the ninth studio album by British heavy metal legends Motörhead, released on 26 February 1991 through Epic Records. The album marked a major turning point for the band, both musically and commercially, as it introduced a more varied and polished sound while maintaining Motörhead’s signature aggression.
Named after the year of one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, the album blends heavy metal, hard rock, speed metal, and even acoustic elements. 1916 received strong critical praise and helped introduce the band to a new generation of listeners in the early 1990s.
Background and Recording
By the early 1990s, Motörhead had experienced multiple lineup changes and label struggles. For 1916, the band recorded with the lineup:
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Lemmy Kilmister – bass, vocals
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Phil Campbell – guitar
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Würzel – guitar
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Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor – drums
The album was produced by Ed Stasium, known for his work with Ramones and Living Colour. Recording sessions took place in Los Angeles, giving the album a clearer and more powerful production than some earlier Motörhead records.
Tracklist
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The One to Sing the Blues
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I'm So Bad (Baby I Don't Care)
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No Voices in the Sky
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Going to Brazil
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Nightmare / The Dreamtime
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Love Me Forever
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Angel City
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Make My Day
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Ramones
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Shut You Down
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1916
Notable Songs
The One to Sing the Blues
A fast and energetic opener that became a fan favorite and a regular song in Motörhead’s live shows.
Going to Brazil
One of the album’s most memorable tracks, inspired by the band’s enthusiastic reception during tours in Brazil.
Love Me Forever
A slower and more emotional song that shows a rare melodic side of the band.
1916
The haunting title track closes the album with an acoustic arrangement and powerful lyrics about the tragedy of war.
Cover Art
The album cover features a dramatic war-themed design showing a soldier in a battlefield setting. The artwork reflects the historical theme of the title track and emphasizes the album’s darker and more reflective tone compared to earlier Motörhead releases.
Fun Facts
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The title track “1916” was nominated for a Grammy Awards in the Best Metal Performance category.
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Lemmy considered the song “1916” one of the most meaningful compositions he ever wrote.
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The track “Ramones” is a tribute to the punk rock band Ramones.
Trivia
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The song “Going to Brazil” was inspired by Motörhead’s first tour in Brazil, where the band received an extremely passionate response from fans.
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The album marked Motörhead’s first release on Epic Records.
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Many critics praised the album for balancing classic Motörhead aggression with more emotional songwriting.
Did You Know?
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The title track “1916” is considered one of the most powerful anti-war songs in heavy metal.
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The album helped reintroduce Motörhead to a younger audience during the early 1990s metal scene.
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Several songs from the album became regular parts of Motörhead’s live performances for years.
Cultural Legacy
1916 remains one of the most respected albums in Motörhead’s discography. By combining their classic speed and aggression with deeper themes and more varied songwriting, the album demonstrated the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their identity.
Today, it stands as a powerful example of Motörhead’s influence on both heavy metal and hard rock, proving that the band could deliver intensity and emotion in equal measure.
Download Motorhead's Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Motorhead - Ace of Spades (1980)
Motorhead - Another Perfect Day (1983)
Motorhead - Orgasmatron (1986)
Motorhead - Kiss of Death (2006)
