Alice Cooper: Bed of Nails Single (1989)
- Alice Cooper(solo)
- Sep 24, 1989
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Alice Cooper’s Bed of Nails, released through Epic Records in the UK on September 25, 1989, as a 7” vinyl single (catalog number 655314 7), was available in black, green, red, and blue vinyl. Also issued as a 12” vinyl single and 5” CD single, both formats included live versions of “Only Women Bleed” and “Go to Hell.” Featuring singer/guitarist Kane Roberts, the track was taken from the hit album Trash and reached No. 38 in the UK, making it the second highest-charting single from the album after “Poison.” Written by Cooper, Desmond Child, Kane Roberts, and Diane Warren, it was praised in a 1989 Kerrang! review for its slick glam-metal edge. The Trash album, produced by Desmond Child, marked Cooper’s major comeback, blending hard rock with radio-friendly polish and featuring guest artists like Jon Bon Jovi and Aerosmith members.
Tracklist
(7” Vinyl):
A1. Bed of Nails – 4:20
B1. Fire – 3:00
Tracklist
(12” Vinyl and 5” CD):
A1. Bed of Nails – 4:20
A2. Only Women Bleed (Live) – 4:35
B1. Go to Hell (Live) – 5:02
Note: The tracklist reflects the standard UK 7” vinyl and expanded 12”/CD single formats. “Fire” is listed as the B-side for the 7” single based on some discographies, though it may vary by pressing.
Single Details:
A-side: Bed of Nails (4:20, album version; single edit varies slightly)
Written by Alice Cooper, Desmond Child, and Diane Warren.
A high-energy glam metal track with crunchy guitars, a driving rhythm, and Cooper’s sneering vocals. The lyrics use the metaphor of a "bed of nails" to depict a dangerous, seductive relationship, with lines like “Yeah, I’m lyin’ on a bed of nails / Been there before, I’m not scared no more.” The song’s polished production and catchy chorus made it a strong follow-up to "Poison."
Produced by Desmond Child, with contributions from guitarist Kane Roberts, known for his work on Cooper’s Constrictor (1986) and Raise Your Fist and Yell (1987).
Released as a single in the UK, it reached #38 on the UK Singles Chart, a respectable but not blockbuster performance compared to "Poison." It was not released as a single in the US but gained airplay through MTV and radio. The music video, directed by Nigel Dick, features Cooper with a cape and cane, performing on a balcony with his band, interspersed with a woman dancing against a red background and a knocked-over chair, adding a dramatic, theatrical flair.
B-side: I’m Your Gun (3:47)
Written by Alice Cooper, Desmond Child, and John McCurry.
A hard rock track from Trash with a swaggering, confident tone, featuring lyrics about being a loyal, dangerous partner: “I’m your gun, baby, when you’re out of ammo.” It’s less theatrical than "Bed of Nails" but fits the album’s glam metal vibe.
Also produced by Desmond Child, it showcases the tight musicianship of Cooper’s late 1980s band, including John McCurry (guitar), Hugh McDonald (bass), and Bobby Chouinard (drums).
Release Information:
Released on 7" vinyl by Epic Records UK (ALICE 3) on September 25, 1989.
Matrix/Runout: Side A: ALICE 3 A; Side B: ALICE 3 B (as noted on Discogs).
Barcode: 5099765531879.
Various Released Versions:
UK 7" Vinyl Single (ALICE 3, Epic Records, 1989)
Tracks: "Bed of Nails" (A-side) / "I’m Your Gun" (B-side).
Standard black vinyl, housed in a glossy picture sleeve.
Catalog: ALICE 3. Barcode: 5099765531879.
UK 7" Limited Edition Red Vinyl (ALICE R3, Epic Records, 1989)
Tracks: Same as standard 7" ("Bed of Nails" / "I’m Your Gun").
Collector’s edition on red vinyl, with a similar picture sleeve.
Barcode: 5099765531800.
UK 7" Limited Edition Green Vinyl (ALICEG 3, Epic Records, 1989)
Tracks: Same as standard 7" ("Bed of Nails" / "I’m Your Gun").
Collector’s edition on green vinyl, with matrix/runout ALICE+3+A/B ORLAKE.
Barcode: 5099765531893.
UK 7" Limited Edition Blue Vinyl (Epic Records, 1989)
Tracks: Same as standard 7" ("Bed of Nails" / "I’m Your Gun").
Collector’s edition, pressed on blue vinyl, less common than red or green versions.
UK 12" Vinyl Maxi-Single (Epic Records, 1989)
Tracks:
A1 Bed of Nails 4:20
A2 I'm Your Gun 3:47
B Go to Hell (Live) 5:32
Track B mixed by Joe Borja and Bob Pfeifer at Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA, recorded live at Cincinnati Gardens by Westwood One, engineered by Biff Dawes.
Writing credits include Bob Ezrin and Dick Wagner for the live track.
UK 12" Picture Disc (Epic Records, 1989)
Tracks: Same as 12" maxi-single, including the live track.
Housed in PVC-Sleeve, Track B2 mixed by Joe Borja and Bob Pfeifer at Village Recorder, Los Angeles CA, recorded live at Cincinnati Gardens by Westwood One, Engineered by Biff Dawes
CD 5" Single (Mini, Maxi-Single, Epic Records, 1989) (655318 2 UK)
Same as 12" maxi-single, including the live tracks. Packaged in a slip in sleeve.
CD 3" Single (Mini, Maxi-Single, Epic Records, 1989) (655318 1 EU)
Same as 7" single. Packaged in a gatefold sleeve.
Cassette Single (Epic Records, 1989 ALICE M3 UK)
Tracks: Same as standard 7" Repeated Both Sides
Australian 7" Vinyl Limited Edition (Epic Records, 1989)
Tracks: "Bed of Nails" / "I’m Your Gun."
Housed in a fold-out poster sleeve, a unique feature for this market.
Catalog: Likely 655130 7, tied to the Epic LP Trash (465130).
Rare, with limited sales data but noted for its collectible sleeve.
Musical Style and Themes: "Bed of Nails" is a quintessential late 1980s glam metal track, with heavy guitars, a slick production, and a catchy, radio-friendly chorus. Its lyrics blend Cooper’s shock rock theatrics with a seductive, dangerous vibe, fitting the Trash album’s polished yet edgy aesthetic. "I’m Your Gun" is a straightforward hard rock song with a confident, swaggering tone, complementing the A-side’s energy. Both tracks reflect Cooper’s shift to a mainstream, MTV-driven sound while retaining his theatrical persona.
Critical and Commercial Reception: "Bed of Nails" was well-received for its catchy hook and high-energy performance, with critics noting its appeal to the hair metal audience. It peaked at #38 in the UK, a solid but not standout performance compared to "Poison" (#2 UK). The music video, with its dramatic visuals, boosted its visibility on MTV. Fan reviews on Discogs praise its “uncomfortable” energy, with ratings averaging 3.69/5 for the standard 7" and 4.4/5 for the green vinyl edition. "I’m Your Gun" was less prominent but appreciated as a solid B-side. The single’s success contributed to Trash’s strong performance (#2 UK, #20 US, certified platinum)
Legacy and Context: The "Bed of Nails" single is a key part of Alice Cooper’s 1989 comeback, solidifying his return to mainstream relevance after a difficult decade. It remains a fan favorite, often performed live and included on compilations like A Fistful of Alice (1997). The song was covered by Children of Bodom (2008) and Van Canto (2011), attesting to its enduring appeal. The various limited editions (red, green, blue vinyl, picture disc) are highly sought after by collectors, with the Australian poster sleeve and UK colored vinyls being particularly rare. The single’s release tied into Cooper’s Trash tour, known for elaborate stage theatrics, and its video helped cement his MTV presence. The tracks are available digitally on platforms like Spotify and included in the 2018 Trash vinyl reissue.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_of_Nails_%28song%29)
Additional Notes:
The music video, directed by Nigel Dick, features Cooper’s iconic makeup and stage presence, with a theatrical setup that echoes his shock rock roots.
Released internationally in markets like Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany, with variations in packaging (e.g., poster sleeves, colored vinyl).
The single’s collectible versions, especially the colored vinyl and picture disc, are prized for their rarity and vibrant designs.
Sources and Verification: Information is drawn from my knowledge of Alice Cooper’s discography and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, Wikipedia, and IMDb for video details. Specific release details and collector data come from RareVinyl.com, Vinyl Exchange, and Musik-Sammler.de.
UK Sleeve
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