Attitude (Misfits song)

"Attitude" is a song by the American punk rock band Misfits. Written by frontman and vocalist Glenn Danzig, the song was recorded and first released in 1978 on the B-side of the band's single "Bullet". It was also included on the Misfits' 1980 EP Beware, as well as on the 1995 compilation album Collection II. "Attitude" was originally intended to be included on the band's proposed debut album Static Age, and it remained included when the album was eventually released in its entirety in 1996.

"Attitude"
Single by the Misfits
A-side	"Bullet" "We Are 138"
Released	June 1978
Recorded	January–February 1978 C.I. Studios, New York, New York
Genre	Punk rock[1] horror punk[1]
Length	1:32
Label	Caroline
Songwriter(s)	Glenn Danzig
Producer(s)	Dave Achelis Tom Bejgrowicz
Audio sample
"Attitude" file help

Recording and release

"Attitude" was originally recorded by the Misfits in January–February 1978 for their proposed debut album Static Age, which would not be released in its entirety until 1996.[2] The song was recorded in C.I. Studios in New York, New York.[3] It was first released as part of the band's single "Bullet" in 1978,[4] and would later be included on their 1980 EP Beware, which combined tracks from the previously released "Bullet" and "Horror Business" singles.[5] It also appears on the 1995 compilation album Collection II.[6] In 1996, Static Age was officially released for the first time, as part of the boxed set The Misfits.[7] "Attitude" was included among the Static Age tracks in the boxed set, and it would also be included on the 1997 standalone release of Static Age.[3]

Critical reception

Eduardo Rivadavia of Ultimate Classic Rock ranked the song #1 on his list of the 10 best Misfits songs, calling it "astonishing".[4] Dan Ozzi of Diffuser.fm ranked the song #8 on his list of the 10 best Misfits songs, writing that "Like most Misfits songs, 'Attitude' doesn't even top two minutes, and really, there's not much to it. Danzig's message is pretty simple: Keep acting like an a--hole, and I'm gonna knock you out."[8]

Rob Kemp of Time Out has noted a reputation of "Attitude", among other Misfits songs, as being "antiestablishment" in nature.[9] In his book This Music Leaves Stains: The Complete Story of the Misfits, author James Greene, Jr., in speaking of Guns N' Roses' cover of "Attitude" from their 1993 album "The Spaghetti Incident?", called "Attitude" a song that, "more than any other Danzig work, seemed to provide the blueprint for both GNR's adrenaline-heavy sound and Axl Rose's temperamental stage persona".[10]

Personnel

The Misfits Glenn Danzig – vocals[11] Jerry Only – bass[11] Franché Coma – guitar[11] Mr. Jim – drums[12]

Production Dave Achelis – engineer[13] Tom Bejgrowicz – producer[3]

Cover versions

In 1993, Guns N' Roses recorded a cover version of "Attitude" for their album "The Spaghetti Incident?",[10][14] with bassist Duff McKagan performing the vocals.[1] The song has also been covered by the Crimson Ghosts,[15] Endpoint,[16] the Slackers,[16] the Slow Break,[17] Sum 41,[16] and Winds of Plague.[16] Additionally, the Nutley Brass recorded an instrumental lounge cover of the song, which was included on their 2005 Misfits tribute album Fiend Club Lounge.[18]

See also

• Misfits discography

References

1. Exposito, Suzy; Galil, Leor (May 12, 2016). "15 Great Misfits Covers". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
2. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 19–20, 128.
3. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 128.
4. Rivadavia, Eduardo (September 29, 2015). "Top 10 Misfits Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Townsquare Media. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
5. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 34.
6. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 131–133.
7. Serota, Maggie (October 31, 2017). "Misfits: Static Age Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
8. Ozzi, Dan (May 23, 2013). "10 Best Misfits Songs". Diffuser.fm. Townsquare Media. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
9. Raftery 2008, p. 60.
10. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 81.
11. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 19–20.
12. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 19.
13. Greene, Jr. 2013, p. 19, 128.
14. Lifton, Dave (November 22, 2018). "25 Facts About Guns N' Roses' 'The Spaghetti Incident?'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Townsquare Media. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
15. "Some Kinda Hits - The Crimson Ghosts". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
16. Downey, Ryan (May 12, 2016). "138 Misfits covers by Blink-182, My Chemical Romance, more". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
17. Maher, Dave. "Pitchfork: My Morning Jacket, Pajo Cover Misfits on Comp". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
18. "Fiend Club Lounge - The Nutley Brass". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2019.

Further reading

• Blush, Steven (2010). Petros, George (ed.). American Hardcore (Second Edition): A Tribal History. Feral House. ISBN 978-1932595895.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Greene, Jr., James (2013). This Music Leaves Stains: The Complete Story of the Misfits. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-1589798922.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Raftery, Brian (2008). Don't Stop Believin': How Karaoke Conquered the World and Changed My Life. Hachette Books. ISBN 978-0786727209.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)